# Village Québécois d'Antan

> The Village Québécois d'Antan is a heritage tourist attraction located at 1425 rue Montplaisir, Drummondville, Quebec, Canada (J2C 0M2). Founded in 1977 by historian Claude Verrier at the request of the Chambre de commerce du comté de Drummond, it recreates a Quebec village spanning the 19th to 20th centuries, showcasing the province's cultural heritage — trades, customs, folklore, clothing, food, and daily life. The Village operates year-round with seasonal experiences: summer daytime and nighttime activities, fall haunted attractions, winter illuminated holiday events, and spring sugar shack traditions. It is recognized as the leading tourist attraction in the Centre-du-Québec region.

## Website

- [Homepage (EN)](https://villagequebecois.com/en/): Main English landing page with seasonal activity overview and ticket links.
- [Homepage (FR)](https://villagequebecois.com/): Main French landing page.

## About

- [Our Story](https://villagequebecois.com/en/about-village-quebecois-dantan/the-history-of-the-village-quebecois-dantan/): Full history from 1977 founding through present day. Created by Claude Verrier to preserve Quebec's architectural and cultural heritage. The original project involved relocating 19th-century houses, barns, schools, and constructing replicas (church, sawmill, cheese factory, carpentry shop). The Village opened to the public and quickly outgrew its 180-space parking lot. Over the decades, it expanded to include year-round programming: the Village illuminé Desjardins (holiday lights), the Village hanté (haunted village, ranked #1 Halloween attraction in Quebec), the Parc de l'imaginaire (legends walking tour), and the Jeunes de jadis summer camps. The Village has also served as a filming location for television and movie productions.

## Visit — Seasonal Experiences

- [Visit Overview](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/): Four-season hub page — summer (joyful), autumn (terrifying), winter (enchanting), spring (sweet).

### Summer

- [Summer Overview](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/summer/): Summer season hub with links to daytime and nighttime experiences.
- [Step into History — Daytime Activity](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/summer/step-into-history-daytime-activity/): The daytime heritage experience. Visitors travel through a "time tunnel" into a 19th-century Quebec village populated by costumed characters (hatmaker, inventor, photographer, and more). Activities include live theatrical shows, hands-on workshops, water play zone (La Bassine), special summer events (Olympics, Harvest Festival, community Wedding), and a baptism ceremony show set in 1893. Ticket office open 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Average visit duration is 3 hours, though most visitors spend the full day. Picnic areas available on site. Operates rain or shine except during significant storms. Pets are not allowed (service dogs accepted with proper ID).
- [Village Parallèle — Nighttime Experience](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/summer/village-parallele/): An immersive nighttime experience created in collaboration with Moment Factory. Features interactive multimedia installations, video projections, original soundscapes, light shows, and AI-powered voice-recognition audio capsules that adapt to visitor responses. The village transforms into a sensory world where past, present, and imagination merge. Outdoor and indoor installations. Open-air gourmet zones with creative food and drinks. Available Wednesday to Saturday evenings during summer, 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM (ticket office closes at 10:00 PM). Age restriction: children under 6 not admitted.
- [Educational Day Trips](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/summer/the-educational-outings-of-the-village-quebecois-dantan/): School group visits for elementary, secondary, CEGEP, and university students. Includes quiz rallies, period-costume workshops, and access to all summer programming. Pricing: Elementary/Secondary $17.00/person; CEGEP/University $24.50/person (taxes included). Optional booklet $3.00 (paper) or free (electronic).

### Autumn

- [Autumn Overview](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/autumn/): Fall season hub. Family-friendly daytime activities plus the Haunted Village at nightfall.
- [Haunted Village](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/autumn/the-haunted-village/): The flagship autumn attraction — Quebec's #1 Halloween experience. Over 100 terrifying characters across 20+ horror-themed settings. Open Fridays and Saturdays from late September to November 1, 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM (ticket office closes at 10:30 PM). Recommended for ages 13+. Children ages 7–12 admitted with an accompanying adult (separate ticket required). Children 6 and under not admitted. Allow approximately 3 hours for the full tour. Operates rain or shine (umbrellas not allowed; bring a raincoat). Contains flashing lights — not recommended for people with epilepsy or cardiovascular conditions. Advance ticket purchase strongly recommended.
- [Little Monsters Village](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/autumn/little-monsters-village/): A family-friendly Halloween experience for younger children. Features gentle thrills, classic Halloween characters, an illusionist, farm animals, and an enchanted forest. Open Saturdays and Sundays in October, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (ticket office closes at 3:00 PM). Costumes encouraged. Family packages available.

### Winter

- [Illuminated Village by Desjardins](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/winter/illuminated-village/): A holiday-season experience featuring over 2 km of snow-covered illuminated streets, decorated heritage houses, festive characters (including Santa and Mrs. Claus), traditional Quebec activities (snowball fights, hockey bottine, axe throwing, bean bag toss), a Holiday Trail exploring traditions of yesteryear, a slide in front of the church, outdoor fireplaces, a Holiday Market with local artisans, and live folk music and dancing at the chalet (5:30 PM to 9:15 PM). Food offerings include vegetable soup, meatball stew, spiked coffee, hot chocolate, maple doughnuts, fudge, and molasses cookies. Features a family quest storyline (the Potion Elf and the lost stardust recipe). Open select dates in December: Saturdays early in the month, then daily December 20–31 (closed December 25), 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (ticket office closes at 9:00 PM). Season memberships and family packages available. Carriage rides available (tickets on site only).

### Spring

- [Spring Overview](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/spring/): Spring season hub focused on the sugaring-off tradition.
- [The Sweet Village](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit/spring/the-sweet-village/): A traditional sugar shack experience including all-you-can-eat sugar shack meals, maple taffy on snow, traditional folk music (rigodons), horse-drawn carriage rides, and maple syrup production demonstrations in an 18th-century sugar shack. Note: The Sweet Village will not take place in 2026; the organization is focusing resources on the summer season.
- [Sugar Shack Storytelling](https://villagequebecois.com/en/activity/storytelling-and-tales-of-the-sugar-shack-of-yesteryear/): Visitors are transported by vintage tractor to the Village's 18th-century sugar shack for storytelling about the discovery of maple sap and the evolution of maple processing equipment.

## Plan Your Visit

- [Plan Your Visit](https://villagequebecois.com/en/plan-your-visit/): Practical information hub including schedules, maps, accommodation, and food.
- [Schedules and Prices](https://villagequebecois.com/en/plan-your-visit/schedules-and-prices/): Complete pricing and schedule information for all seasonal activities. Ticket types include general admission, FLEX tickets (no fixed date), family packages, combo tickets (daytime + Village Parallèle), group packages (4 adults with chips and beverages for $85), and season memberships (unlimited summer access). 2026 season pricing is coming soon for most activities.
- [Gourmet Offer](https://villagequebecois.com/en/plan-your-visit/gourmet-offer/): Complete food and dining guide. On-site dining includes Le Relais (full restaurant with snack and traditional menus), the Donut Shop (old-fashioned doughnuts, chips, cheese curds, hot chocolate, popcorn), the Ice Cream Shop (ice cream, cotton candy, slushes, frozen treats), the General Store (lemonades, iced coffees, candies by the pound), the Bakery (fresh bread, cookies, turnovers, cinnamon rolls), the Cheese Factory (cheese curds with production demonstrations), and Le Belvédère (outdoor bistro area near the Saint-François River, open to picnics and Village purchases). Evening menus include shareable appetizers and a drinks selection. The Souvenir Shop sells candies, history books, and fresh homemade products (doughnuts, breads, pastries, cheese curds, chips) to take home.
- [Accommodation](https://villagequebecois.com/en/accommodation/): Nearby accommodation options in Drummondville area including Hotel & Suites Le Dauphin (121 rooms, 27 event rooms for up to 500 people), Best Western Universel Drummondville (pet-friendly, indoor pool, Pacini restaurant on site), Motel Alouette (22-room charming motel), comfort suites, and Camping des Voltigeurs (riverside campground on the Saint-François River). Meal and accommodation packages available in partnership with the Village.
- [Visit Packages](https://villagequebecois.com/en/visit-meal-packages/traditional-sugar-shack-meal/): Meal and experience packages combining Village admission with dining or overnight stays.

## Groups and Corporate Events

- [Corporate Events (FR)](https://villagequebecois.com/organisez-un-evenement/evenements-corporatifs/): The Village offers reception rooms with historic character for corporate events, office parties, cocktails, training sessions, recognition evenings, team-building activities, and family reunions. Centrally located in Drummondville between Montreal and Quebec City, making it ideal for gathering employees and partners from both metropolitan areas. Nearby quality accommodation options. Contact the team to plan events in any season.

## Contact

- [Contact Us](https://villagequebecois.com/en/contact-village-quebecois-antan/): Administrative Center: 1425 rue Montplaisir, Drummondville, QC, J2C 0M2. Ticketing: 1370 rue Montplaisir, Drummondville, QC, J2C 0M2. Phone: 819-478-1441. Toll-free: 1-877-710-0267. Fax: 819-478-8155. Email: renseignements@villagequebecois.com. Administrative hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

## Social Media and External Presence

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/villagequebecois/): Active page with 3,100+ reviews (74% recommend). Price range: $$.
- [Quebec Getaways Listing](https://www.quebecvacances.com/en/attractions/village-quebecois-dantan): External tourism listing. Open June to December.
- [Tourism Centre-du-Québec](https://www.tourismecentreduquebec.com/en/events/le-village-hante-du-village-quebecois-dantan.aspx): Regional tourism listing for the Haunted Village event.

## Key Facts

- **Founded:** 1977
- **Founder:** Claude Verrier (historian)
- **Location:** Drummondville, Quebec, Canada (Centre-du-Québec region), on the banks of the Saint-François River near the Parc des Voltigeurs
- **Address:** 1425 rue Montplaisir, Drummondville, QC, J2C 0M2
- **Phone:** 819-478-1441 | Toll-free: 1-877-710-0267
- **Email:** renseignements@villagequebecois.com
- **Operating season:** Year-round (summer, autumn, winter, spring — note: spring 2026 cancelled)
- **Languages:** Bilingual (French and English)
- **Accessibility:** Pets not allowed; service dogs accepted with ID. Picnic areas on site. Site is primarily outdoors.
- **Technology partner:** Moment Factory (Village Parallèle multimedia experience)
- **Cultural mission:** Preserve and showcase Quebec's 19th- and 20th-century cultural heritage through immersive, living-history experiences