The Lanouette Double Barns have a fascinating history that stretches back to the early 1900s. The farm was initially owned by Jacques Caron from 1908 to 1915. In 1915, Joseph Ephrem Lanouette (1870-1945) and his wife Nélida Morency (1873-1962) became the proud owners of the farm. The first barn was constructed in 1918, with an east-west orientation and measuring 31 by 100 feet. Two years later, in 1920, an annexed stable was added to the barn, measuring 25 by 45 feet and also having an east-west orientation. In subsequent years, the original barn underwent some modifications. The east end was transformed into a manure shed (29 by 31 feet) located a few meters away from its original position, while the west end was moved to the bottom of the north-facing slope of the property to become a machine shed (29 by 31 feet).

Adjutor Lanouette (1906-1996) took over the reins of the family farm alongside his wife Cécile Rivard (1915-1998). They raised nine children on the farm, six daughters, and three sons. In 1943, they constructed a new barn in the style of a French gambrel roof behind the existing barn and stable. This new building was oriented north-south. In the southern end, Mr. Lanouette set up his milking parlor with enough space for 18 cows. Upstairs, they created a chicken coop that could house up to a hundred birds. The remaining space in the buildings was used for hay storage, grain reserves, calf pens, and horse stalls.

Originally, Jacques Lanouette was meant to take over the family farm with the help of a neighbor. However, for various reasons, this acquisition did not happen. Instead, it was Guy Perreault, the husband of Jacques’ sister Suzanne, born near what is now known as the “côtes à Perreault,” who purchased the farm in 1977 to keep this heritage within the family. From then on, the barns took on a more recreational role. A beautiful concrete floor was poured, turning the space into a rolathèque to entertain children.

As of 2016, Mr. Perreault still resides there, now separated from Suzanne Lanouette. The barns today serve as a mini-museum, filled with various discoveries and artifacts from the past. Mr. Perreault continues to maintain the barns with great care.

*These heritage elements are privately owned; please admire them from public roads and paths.