The church of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, located on a tract of land, granted by Albert Boudreault, was originally built to serve as a summer chapel. The clergy authorized its construction on the condition that it be used only by "foreigners" and their servants residing at Bas-des-Éboulements during the summer. The permanent residents were to use the church at Les Éboulements. That rule lasted until 1931, when the municipality was founded and when the first Parish priest, abbé J. Antonio Gagnon, arrived. The year 1964 saw the refurbishing of the inside of the church based on a nautical theme.
(The priest informs you...)

The church pavilion

     Located near the church, the pavilion serves as an extension of the church-square to the river-bank. It has also been a very busy spot over the years. Not only is the pavilion worthy of its heritage but it also seves as an observation point for Ile-aux-Coudres and the channel. Since ships use the northern side of the island, which is a rather narrow passage, Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive becomes an ideal place to observe the ships with the impression that they come very close to shore.

     Known as the "fire building", this small one-floor structure covered with wood shingles distinguishes itself with a tower used to drain fire-hoses. Today, the structure is used as a warehouse and blends in perfectly with the architectural landscape.

    Not far from the old fire-station, one discovers a small structure, clad in red brick tarpaper and blue roof which shelters an old current-generator. La Corporation électrique de Charlevoix, founded in 1928 by Mr. J. Abel Desgagnés, builds a dam during the same year, 600 meters from the main road on the Boudreault river. The power-station starts operating in December 1929 and the company is able to supply lighting to Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and to the Eboulement's parish as far as Cap-aux-Oies. The turbine ceased its operations in 1965 due to the silted up water supply.

The old post-office and telephone exchange

     This house served as post-office and telephone exchange. Between 1900 and 1964, the post-office was operated from mother to daughter by Madame Marie-Jeanne Tremblay nicknamed "Marie-Ben", and by Madame Marie-Louise Bergeron-Audet and Madame Rollande Audet. As for the telephone exchange, owned by La Compagnie de Téléphone de Charlevoix and Saguenay, it began operating at the start of the century and closes its doors around 1952.

     The "Papeterie" was founded in 1965 by monsignor Félix-Antoine Savard, poet and author of the novel "Menaud master-raftsman", and by his patron of the arts and friend, Monsieur Mark Donohue. It is a manufacture where fine "deluxe" papers are hand-made by craftspeople, one sheet at a time, using a traditional technique of the 17th century. The Saint-Gilles fine papers, often with inlaid flowers and leaves, are entirely made from cotton fibers. The visitor is able to follow the stages of production, all of them illustrated with drawings.