Discover The Perron Old Cheese Factory
* This attraction is currently closed. Back for the summer season 2022!
The history of the cheese industry
Closely linked to the history of Quebec agriculture, the cheese industry, particularly the cheddar industry, has played a very important role in the development of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, of Quebec, and even of Canada. This is what La Vieille Fromagerie Perron Museum invites you to discover!
Cheddar was the 4th largest Canadian product for export after furs, dried cod, and lumber. In fact, Quebec dairy farms could not have survived without the export of cheese production.
La Vieille Fromagerie Perron was built in 1895 by Adélard Perron and was the sole representative of the artisanal cheese factories that occupied rural Quebec at the end of the 19th century. Today, Fromagerie Perron is the only one still standing. It is because of its unique character and historical values that it has been classified as an exceptional historic monument by the Quebec Ministry of Culture. Until 2015, the Perron family was one of the oldest active cheese-making families.
Considered to be a unique phenomenon in Quebec and Canada, four generations have succeeded each other at the head of Fromagerie Perron, a business that is now more than a century old!
Gestures and Hours Exhibition
Throughout the self-guided exhibition Des gestes et des heures, you will discover the means of production and the way of life at the time. Through a code provided, you will have access to an audio guide on your cell phone or tablet. The use of personal earphones is strongly recommended.
Visit the cheese maker’s house
Joseph Perron, his wife, and their 12 children lived in the house located just above the cheese factory. They all played an important role in this family business. The completely reconstructed home represents the values of the time and family solidarity. Through a code provided, you will have access to an audio guide on your cell phone or tablet. The use of personal earphones is strongly recommended.
Perron cheese-making workshop
The cheese-making workshop is without a doubt a must-do activity at La Vieille Fromagerie Perron. This is the perfect way to fully understand the complexity of the dairy transformation process. In this workshop, which lasts about 45 minutes, you will have the chance to make your own cheese ... from a litre of milk! Discover the different cheese technologies used to make the different types of cheese we have in Quebec. We recommend that you do not wear jewelry and that you tie up long hair.
COVID-19: Due to restrictive public health standards that prohibit holding workshops, this activity is suspended for the 2021 summer season.
“Goûte ton terroir” (Taste Your Land) Workshop
With its northern agriculture, Lac-Saint-Jean has a rich and prosperous land. In this unique workshop, you are invited to experience a tasting journey of products from the local artisanal cheese factories that make us proud. More than 16 cheese products are offered for tasting to allow you to deepen your knowledge of the subject.
For children who wish, a tasting specially designed for them is offered. A tasting booklet is provided, as well as a booklet for children. The whole family will remember this unusual activity.
COVID-19: Due to restrictive public health standards that prohibit holding workshops, this activity is suspended for the 2021 summer season.
Vieille Fromagerie Perron: What to do around it?
Boutique Perron
Once your visit to the Old Cheese Factory is over, cross the main street of Saint-Prime to stock up on cheese at Boutique Perron. Fresh cheese curds, cheddar, Swiss, or Tortillon Perron, there will be everything to satisfy the little mouse in you! (0.2 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron)
Miss Gâteaux
If you have room for dessert, Miss Gâteaux makes some great sweets, too beautiful (and good) to be true! Taste delicious cakes, cupcakes, and pastries that will satisfy your sweet tooth (3.9 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
Golf Saint-Prime on the lake
For an extraordinary golf experience, come practice your swing at the Saint-Prime Golf Club sur le lac. Admire the magnificent views of the lake offered over the 18-hole course (1.9 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
Saint-Prime municipal beach
Get out your best beach towels and soak up the sun at Saint-Prime Municipal Beach. A refreshing swim on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean is supervised and safe for your children (1.4 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
For a successful family picnic with local delicacies
Nelson Paradis Farm
Enhance your local picnic and pick your own fresh strawberries and raspberries at Nelson Paradis Farm in Saint-Prime. Stroll around the farm’s fields and enjoy this unforgettable moment with the family (2.3 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
La Bouche qui rie
Do you dream of cooking a quick, easy and delicious meal? Head to La Bouche-qui-rie, in Saint-Félicien, to choose your ready-to-cook feast among the wide variety of meats, cold cuts, and the most delicious prepared meals (13.4 km from Vieille fromagerie Perron).
Bouchard organic artisanal cheese factory
Still craving cheese? Try the succulent farmhouse and organic cheeses from Bouchard Artisan Bio. This Saint-Félicien cheese factory makes all its cheeses in an artisanal way (17.6 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
You will also be amazed and delighted by all the soft and hard cheeses from the Fromagerie du Pays des bleuets - Ferme 3J, in Saint-Félicien (15.8 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
Cultural visits nearby
Native American Museum of Mashteuiatsh
Extend your cultural journey by visiting the Amerindian Museum of Mashteuiatsh, and learn more about the way of life of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh (Ilnus du Lac-Saint-Jean). The permanent immersive Tshilanu Ilnuatsh exhibit will satisfy your curiosity about this Indigenous community (10.8 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
Pioneer Mill
You can also discover the oldest sawmill in Quebec still in operation today at the Moulin des Pionniers in La Doré. Your whole family will be impressed by the demonstration of the hydraulic saw and by the enchanting natural site of the mill (31.4 km from the Vieille fromagerie Perron).
COVID-19
To ensure a safe visit, specific measures have been put in place by the various tourist attractions. However, it is possible that some of their activities or services have been suspended due to restrictive public health standards. Before making a reservation, contact the tourist site by phone or consult their website.