Cacouna, Quebec, is a charming municipality nestled in the Rivière-du-Loup Regional County Municipality within the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. This picturesque town, located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River along Route 132, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty.
The history of Cacouna dates back to 1721 when it was first occupied by several families. Following the deportation of Acadians from Quebec in 1758, many Acadians found a new home in Cacouna. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the construction of the railway to Rivière-du-Loup and the Maritime provinces, attracting wealthy Anglophone families from Montreal and Toronto. These families built luxury villas in Cacouna, transforming the village into a popular summer retreat.
One notable resident was shipowner and banker Sir Montagu Allan, who built his summer home, Château Montrose, in Cacouna in 1900. Cacouna is also the birthplace of Mario Dumont, former leader of the Action démocratique du Québec.
The name 'Cacouna' is believed to originate from the Cree words 'kakwa' or 'kakoua', meaning porcupine or dwelling place of porcupine. However, this interpretation is disputed as the Cree have never visited this region. It's more likely that the name came from the Maliseet word 'kakona'. The name 'Saint George' was retained by Bishop Plessis in 1809 at the request of Malcolm Fraser, lord of Murray Bay (La Malbaie) from 1733 to 1815.
Cacouna is home to a large part of the banks of the Saint Lawrence river, managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service. The Gros-Cacouna marsh, an ornithological site covering nearly 200 hectares, is a haven for birdwatchers. The Baie de l'Isle-Verte National Wildlife Area offers trails and lookouts for panoramic views of the region.
The deep-water port of Gros-Cacouna, inaugurated in 1981, is a vital asset in the region's future development. Despite a decrease in the quantity of raw material transhipped in the port over the last ten years, it remains an important hub for the export and import of various products. Since 2005, several wind turbine parts have also been transhipped in the port.
In 2004, a controversial project of building a methane terminal in the port of Gros Cacouna was proposed by Cacouna Energy, a consortium of TransCanada Pipelines and Petro-Canada. The project was delayed indefinitely in 2008 until the supply conditions of liquefied natural gas improved in the worldwide market.
In 2014, it was revealed that the terminus of the proposed petroleum pipeline, 'Energy East', would be located in Cacouna. The oil would transit from the north shore of the St. Lawrence River at the Quebec Bridge, to reach the south shore at Levis, Quebec.
Cacouna, Quebec, is a unique blend of history, nature, and industry. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or interested in industry, Cacouna has something to offer.
