Mauvide-Genest manor, located in Saint-Jean, at the heart of Îles d’Orléans, is a gem from french canadian’s heritage. Affixed in 1734, it is one of the only remaining structures from Nouvelle France’s Seigneurial regime. It was built by Jean Mauvide, a young surgeon from the King’s army, who married Marie-Anne Genest, daughter of Saint-Jean’s prosperous blacksmith. A dynamic and well respected man, Jean Mauvide was also business minded and interested in shipbuilding. He built a fortune and became, in 1752, Seigneur of the the west half of île d’Orléans.

His manor, a large stone building, is a tribute to the business role played by Seigneur Jean Mauvide. He would store foodstuffs from the island in a big attic and would meet censals in the largest room, where he would manage his Seigneurie.

Your tour of the Mauvide-Genest manor begins in that room. In 2002 it became an interpretation center for Nouvelle-France’s Seigneurial regime. Every single room of the manor is now open to the public. In the confine of it’s solid walls, under it’s old beams and behind it’s quarrel windows, this building is home for period furniture lent by Musée de la civilisation du Québec and for reproduction of historical objects supervised by Parks Canada’s specialists.

Tour guides, dressed in the period costumes will walk you through Jean Mauvide and Marie-Anne Genest’s story, giving you a glimpse of what life was like in the second half of the 18th century. You will learn about the importance of the role played by Seigneur Mauvide as an owner, businessman and surgeon until his passing in 1782. In the attic, a multimedia document summarizes the Seigneurial regime of Nouvelle-France.  You and your family can even participate in one of our educative activities to get a better understanding of the period’s daily life and equipping.

A boutique bookstore, as well as tea, cofee and snacks can be found at the manor.

A word from the director

It’s with great pleasure that I would like to invite you to visit our beautiful manor located in Saint-Jean-de-l’île-d’Orléans, a throwstone away from the St-Lawrence river. A must see for any visit on the island, Manoir Mauvide-Genest will seduce you with it’s relaxing ambiance and warmth. Our fascinating tour will allow you to discover an important piece of Quebec’s history through a rich family from Nouvelle-France.

Take advantage of your visit to relax on the shores of the river, to have a picnic on our beautiful land and finish with a walk through the beautiful Saint-Jean village. Since 2008, a historical itinerary, supported by panels detailing houses and famous residents whereabouts, can be found throughout the village.

Throughout summer 2009, the manor will host several activities related to daily life and nourishment in Nouvelle-France, as well as cultural and artistic activities that reflect it’s central cultural role for Île d’Orléans. Every week, an artist will have residency in the gazebo by the beach, making his or her work available for sale.

In the lord’s garden you will get a glimpse of what agriculture was like back in the days of Nouvelle-France.

Should you like to prolong your stay in Saint-Jean, we will be pleased to guide you through the village’s very reasonably priced accomodations.

Welcome home!