Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive Shipyard

The Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive Shipyard, formally known as Chantiers maritimes de Charlevoix Ltée, was a shipyard in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, in the municipality of Les Éboulements, Quebec, Canada. Operating from 1946 until 1973, it was dedicated to the wintering and maintenance of the wooden schooners that carried cargo along the Saint Lawrence River and beyond. These vessels, known in French as goélettes, were central to the coastal trade of the Charlevoix region, linking the river's mouth to the Great Lakes while transporting wood, provisions and merchandise. The shipyard's story is inseparable from the maritime culture of Charlevoix, where roughly 550 wooden sailing vessels were reportedly built over two centuries by families passing the trade from father to son. The site at Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive became a key service point for these schooners, providing wintering, repair and maintenance. When the yard closed in 1973, the last seaworthy schooners were sold and, by 1978, departed for the Caribbean; those that remained were deliberately beached along local shores. In 1981, residents of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive organized a first maritime exhibition in the village's former school. In 1985, JAZ Desgagnés, by then the sole owner of the shipyard site, was involved in the effort that led to the creation of the Musée maritime de Charlevoix. The museum now occupies the historic shipyard installations and preserves the buildings and equipment of the 1946 yard, along with vessels such as the Saint-André and the Marie-Clarisse, which are listed in the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec and protected under Quebec's cultural heritage law. Today the museum interprets and showcases the history of Charlevoix's wooden schooners and their Saint Lawrence cabotage through exhibitions, conferences and publications. It also manages the Parc des navigateurs and its maritime forest, cultivating tree species used in wooden schooner construction. The site offers immersive, family-oriented experiences, including multimedia displays, historic boats, outdoor games and trails, making the former shipyard a living heritage destination.

The Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive Shipyard, formally Chantiers maritimes de Charlevoix Ltée, was established in 1946 in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, now part of Les Éboulements, Quebec. It was dedicated to the wintering and maintenance of the wooden schooners — goélettes — that were the backbone of coastal trade on the Saint Lawrence River. For generations, Charlevoix shipwrights had built these vessels, with roughly 550 wooden sailing ships reportedly constructed along the region's shores over two centuries, initially sail-powered and later motorized. They sailed from the river's mouth to the Great Lakes, carrying wood, provisions and merchandise. The shipyard served these schooners for nearly three decades. In 1973, however, Chantiers maritimes de Charlevoix Ltée closed its doors. The last seaworthy schooners were sold and, in 1978, set sail for the Caribbean. The remaining vessels were deliberately beached on local shores, marking the end of an era. The site's next chapter began in 1981, when residents of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive organized a first maritime exhibition in the village's former school. In 1985, JAZ Desgagnés, by then the sole owner of the shipyard site, was involved in the effort that led to the founding of the Musée maritime de Charlevoix. The museum took over the historic shipyard installations, preserving the buildings and equipment of the 1946 yard. It also cares for vessels including the Saint-André and the Marie-Clarisse, which are inscribed in the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec and protected under the Loi sur le patrimoine culturel. Today, the Musée maritime de Charlevoix interprets and promotes the history of Charlevoix's wooden schooners and their Saint Lawrence cabotage through exhibitions, conferences and publications. It manages the Parc des navigateurs and its maritime forest, where tree species used in wooden schooner construction are cultivated. The museum offers immersive, family-friendly experiences, including multimedia displays in a ship's hold, historic boats, a technological game, an outdoor escape game, a fitness trail and picnic areas. The former shipyard thus remains a living heritage site, connecting the region's maritime past to present and future generations.

• 1985

  JAZ Desgagnés, sole owner of the shipyard site, is involved in the founding of the Musée maritime de Charlevoix.

• 1981

  Residents of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive organize a first maritime exhibition in the village's former school.

• 1978

  The last seaworthy schooners are sold and depart for the Caribbean; remaining vessels are beached locally.

• 1973

  The shipyard closes its doors.

• 1946

  Chantiers maritimes de Charlevoix Ltée established at Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, dedicated to wintering and maintaining wooden schooners.

A historic Charlevoix shipyard dedicated to wooden schooner wintering and maintenance, now a heritage maritime museum interpreting the region's cabotage history.

• Wintering and maintenance services for wooden schooners

• Ship repair and refit

• Preservation of historic shipyard buildings and equipment (1946)

• Museum exhibitions on Charlevoix schooners and Saint Lawrence cabotage

1. 1Musée maritime de Charlevoix | Bateaux historiques à visitermuseemaritime.com
2. 2Le Musée maritime : histoire, mission, équipemuseemaritime.com
3. 3Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive Shipyard - Wikidatawikidata.org