The Mysterious Island: A Jules Verne Show at La Malbaie

The co-owners of Bistro-Auberge Chez Truchon opened the new restaurant located right next to the hotel on September 7: L’Île Mystérieure, inspired by the world of Jules Verne, includes an entire space dedicated to the famous writer.

The project’s creator, Jacqueline Bouchard, was not satisfied with the simple lounge and tapas bar concept. In fact, from the beginning he wanted to open a small museum dedicated to this adventurous novelist in La Malbaie. “We added the restaurant concept to make it profitable,” he frankly admits.

Mr. Bouchard has had a long career as a television producer, and has always been a great admirer of the French writer’s works, which have also been widely adapted for both small and large screens. “He is the second most translated author in the world after Agatha Christie. I consider him influential. He wrote novels of creation and confidence in the future,” he adds.

The businessman compares explorers with the heroes of Jules Verne’s novels and people who start a business and who face all kinds of difficulties. “We must have faith in the future!” he repeats with a smile.

Jacqueline Bouchard has been collecting artifacts related to Jules Verne and his works for about ten years. The vast majority come from France, where the author is from. It is a collection of about 200 artifacts now on display at Espace Jules Verne. In a few weeks, the online catalog will be available for more information about each piece.

With this new concept, the L’Île Mystérieuse team hopes to present a different show in Charlevoix. “There is part of a dream (in this project), but also because I love this region,” Jacqueline Bouchard concludes.