Les Chanterelles du Richelieu

Les Chanterelles du Richelieu

Built in 1905 for Doctor Jean-Baptiste Richard (1862-1954) and his wife Marie-Louise Soly, the house now being Les Chanterelles du Richelieu witnesses the easy life and refinement of its first owners. Sculptor and drawer during his leisure time, highly interested by the local history, this country doctor contributed a great deal to the conservation and the value of St-Denis-sur-Richelieu’s rich patrimony.

In 1913, Doctor Richard draws plans for the Patriots’ Park, situated in front of his property on the ancient public market’s site. Also, between 1922 and 1926, he finances the restoration of the parish church built in 1792-1796. Co-founder of the Saint-Hyacinthe regional history Society, with the painter Ozias Leduc (1864-1955), Doctor Richard has published various articles on history, a parish monograph (1943), also booklets on Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu church (1939) and on the events of 1837 (1938). He was mayor of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu from 1902 to 1904.

Following Doctor Richard’s death in 1954, the house was bought by Doctor Joseph Gagnon (1914-1961). He dies prematurely at the age of 47 years old. His wife, Jeannette Asselin (1914-1990) will keep the house until 1975. The comedian Dominique Michel (Aimee Sylvestre) whose passion for beautiful ancient residences is well known, buys it at that time. She will sell it to Regine Leclerc and Gaston Dube in 1981.

In 1996, Patrick Vesnoc buys the beautiful Victorian, jealously preserved by its successive owners. The Richard house then became Les Chanterelles du Richelieu, a select restaurant in the heart of the Vallee gourmande, where patrimony and local hearty cuisine are in perfect harmony.

Discrete and magical, the unparalleled charm of the Chanterelles along the Richelieu River comes from the subtle mix of many ingredients having in common refinement and simplicity. This symphony of flavors, colors, aromas, textures and small sweets, fills the establishment with a highly agreeable atmosphere, reliable to its history and the excellence of its cuisine.

Now… why “Chanterelles du Richelieu”?

To recall Loire and Sologne, chef Patrick Vesnoc’s native region (France), where games and mushrooms (chanterelles) are the gourmet’s happiness… To visualize the violin’s song, the river’s chat and the birds’ songs in the large old trees around the house… A name is also a signature. “Les chanterelles du Richelieu”: a name in perfect harmony with the establishment.

Built in 1905 for Dr. Jean-Baptiste Richard (1862-1954) and his wife Marie-Louise Soly, the house that is home to Les Chanterelles du Richelieu reflects the ease and refinement of its first occupants. A sculptor and draftsman in his spare time, keenly interested in local history, this country doctor made a tangible contribution to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu.

In 1913, Dr. Richard drew up the plans for the Parc des Patriotes, laid out across from his property on the site of the former public market. Between 1922 and 1926, he was also responsible for restoring the parish church, built in 1792-1796. Co-founder of the Société d’histoire régionale de Saint-Hyacinthe, together with the painter Ozias Leduc (1864-1955), Dr. Richard published a number of writings through that institution, including a parish monograph (1943), as well as pamphlets on the churches of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu (1939) and on the events of 1837 (1938). He was mayor of Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu from 1902 to 1904.

Following Dr. Richard’s death in 1954, the house was acquired by Dr. Joseph Gagnon (1914-1961). He died prematurely at the age of 47. His wife, Jeannette Asselin (1914-1990), kept the house until 1975. The actress Dominique Michel (Aimée Sylvestre), known for her passion for fine period residences, bought it at that time. She sold it to Régine Leclerc and Gaston Dubé in 1981.

In 1996, Patrick Vesnoc acquired the fine Victorian house, jealously preserved by its successive owners. The Richard house then became Les Chanterelles du Richelieu, a gastronomic inn at the heart of the Vallée gourmande, where heritage, nature, and flavourful local cuisine come together in perfect harmony.

Discreet, magical, and enchanting, the indefinable charm of Les Chanterelles, on the banks of the Richelieu River, comes from a subtle blend of several ingredients sharing a common thread of refinement and simplicity. This symphony of flavours, colours, aromas, textures, and small delights fills the establishment with a particularly pleasant atmosphere, true to its history and to the excellence of its cuisine.

By the way… why "Chanterelles du Richelieu"?

To recall the Loire and the Sologne, chef Patrick Vesnoc’s native region, where game and chanterelles are the delight of food lovers… To evoke the sound of the violin, the murmur of the river, and the birdsong in the great trees around the house… A name is also a signature. "Les Chanterelles du Richelieu": a name in perfect harmony with the establishment it names.