Hauntingly Delicious
Stepping into the streets of Old Aylmer, Quebec, is like walking through a place steeped in rich history and folklore. Known as possibly the most haunted town in Canada, its whispers of the past blend seamlessly with the present, creating an enchanting and mysterious atmosphere. Yet, Old Aylmer is not only famous for its ghostly tales; it’s also home to a vibrant culinary scene.
Brandon Bolduc, 31, was born and raised in Aylmer. In 2021, he founded Aventure Outaouais, an immersive food tour company, to share his passion for the Outaouais region, his love for storytelling and, of course, his love for food. “I was completing my PhD in public administration at the University of Ottawa and working part-time as a teacher assistant and part-time teacher — I left it all to start the business,” Bolduc shares. “It took me one year to build the business, from getting all the permits to getting insurance, building the website and getting the marketing ready. It was really a one-man show for the first year.”
Business has grown significantly. “It’s always changing. We now have four employees and they all give tours,” Bolduc explains. “Depending on the guide, they are assigned a specific tour so they can become masters of their craft and really know everything about the tour. Every guide goes through a lengthy training process, and I share most of my knowledge so that guests get the best experience possible.”
Bolduc’s philosophy of involving and supporting local businesses is a core principle of Aventure Outaouais. “I almost always joke about how we run a not-for-profit organization. It’s sometimes true with our philosophy and goal to support and promote local businesses and showcase our amazing region. We don’t take any commission, and we never will. They [the businesses] work hard enough, and my goal is to support them. We don’t work with businesses; we work with partners. They are like friends and family,” he says.
Feedback from guests often highlights the breadth and reach of Aventure Outaouais tours and its content. “I think the biggest impact we have is how many guests from the region come on our tours and tell us that they never knew such and such was here,” Bolduc shares. “That shows we have lots of work to do to promote our incredible region. Judging by our guests’ reactions, I would guess that 90 per cent of locals in the National Capital Region have no idea that there are almost a dozen wineries here in the Outaouais region of Quebec, with more to come. And, that is just for our wineries; imagine our farms, restaurants, hiking trails and much more.”
Staying updated and knowledgeable about the ever-evolving Outaouais region is crucial for Bolduc. “It’s really about following what is happening with local partners, always being on the ground, meeting with our partners and building new relationships. Every day I am off or have some spare time, I try to hit the road and try something new or revisit old stops. It’s just about having an open-door policy and always being willing to do new things.”
When asked about his favourite tour and how he keeps up his energy to lead more than eight tours a week, plus manage the business, all while drumming up new tour ideas, Bolduc expresses his passion for each experience. “I don’t really have a favourite — I always say that when I am guiding, it’s not work. I love what I do and feel passionate about our mission. Meeting guests every day gets me excited to showcase the region. And we do have the most amazing guests. Their willingness to learn and discover gets me all energized.”
Five locations, three hours and one minibus
The Old Aylmer Food Tour is a whimsical journey through five incredible food and drink locations, from fine dining to artisan chocolates, local craft beer and more. As guests step into one of three Aventure Outaouais iconic white minibuses aptly named Vana White, Van Halen and Van Diesel, they’re transported into a world where history and gastronomy intertwine. And, yes, as part of the tour experience, guests are offered pick up and drop off at various locations in Ottawa and Gatineau and group transportation during each tour.
Rain or shine, the tour begins in the heart of a heritage district, on the corner of Principale Street, with stories of Old Aylmer’s haunted past. As the guests meander past some of the town’s oldest buildings, they learn about the historic fire that destroyed more than 125 homes and left more than 700 locals on the street, and Old Aylmer’s connection to the death of Thomas D’Arcy McGee, Canada’s first political assassination.
The first stop is Bistro L’Autre Oeil, a much-loved local pub known for its impressive selection of beers and mouthwatering food. The pub’s warm, inviting atmosphere welcomes Aventure Outaouais guests upstairs with a table set for fourteen, plates of piping hot poutine and a dark-hued white beer sampling. Owned by Marc and Martine Boily, the restaurant holds a special place in Bolduc’s heart, as he visits it several times a week, not just as part of his tours but as his favourite place to eat. “I’ve actually had people try their very first poutine on these tours. On the other hand, I eat this poutine about three times a week. As you can see from my round shape,” he says jovially.
Next, the tour moves down the street to Restaurant Antonyme, where originality, creativity and freshness reign supreme. Co-owned by William Spencer St-Jean and Marc-André Camaraire, Antonyme’s philosophy of bringing freshness and creativity to their dishes is evident in every bite. As guests enjoy a roasted beet salad with green apple caviar and a sampling of a dry white Italian wine, Bolduc explains that Antonyme aims to serve food you wouldn’t necessarily have at home and provide their customers with a culinary experience.
After the first two stops, Bolduc and his guests drive a short distance to the following three stops. One is Béatrice et Chocolats, an artisan chocolate shop that feels like a whimsical wonderland from the pages of a Roald Dahl story. Gaëtane Osborne, the owner, named the shop after her grandmother, Béatrice. “My big dream has always been to have my own company where I could express myself and fulfill myself as a professional woman,” Osborne writes on her website. “Attention to detail and a job well done are priorities for me, as is my desire to make local choices wherever possible. My goal is to share my passion with you.”
Across the street, guests visit William J. Walter Saucissier, a Québécois family-owned company specializing in high-quality sausages. With more than 60 varieties, the shop serves sausages ranging from traditional flavours to the most eccentric ones. The Old Aylmer location, owned by Alain Paradis, who plans to open a second location this fall, offers guests a plate with five different sausages and house-made mustards to sample.
The tour’s fifth stop is 5e Baron, a local microbrewery co-owned by Dimitri Carrabin, Jacob Barrette and Stephen Washer. The trio has been brewing in Aylmer since 2020. Here, Bolduc leads guests on a backstage tour of their production room as he details the intricate process of craft beer production and beer sampling using a tulip glass. Sometimes known as a Belgian glass, he shares how a tulip-shaped beer-tasting glass helps enhance the beer’s flavours, especially a hoppy or malty beer.
Lastly, while not a food stop, Bolduc brings his guests to one more location to share one final story, rounding out an almost three-hour tour that feels more like a gathering of friends enjoying an evening of good food, conversation and drinks than a group of strangers who only met earlier that evening. Built in 1831 by Charles Symmes, the Symmes Inn Museum at 1 Front Street is a heritage building designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. Once a bustling hub for travellers and traders, the inn is a reminder of Aylmer’s role in the region’s development. “Aylmer is not only a very charming part of Gatineau, but it has a rich history that allows guests to uncover important parts of their history,” Bolduc says. “It’s a tight-knit community. While the population has grown over the last 10 years, small businesses work closely together to make the old district thrive. That makes Aylmer so amazing; it’s the hard work of our small businesses and locals to preserve what makes Aylmer so special.”
Aventure Outaouais
180 Saint-René Blvd., W., Gatineau
aventureoutaouais.ca | 873.660.1881 | @aventureoutaouais
