Site Traditionnel Huron Onhoüa Chetek8e — Attraction in La Haute-Saint-Charles

We visited Huron Village quickly from Quebec City before heading back to Ontario. It only took about 30 minutes by car from our hotel to get there.

It appears misleading at first. The Huron Village is located in what appears to be an very urban town. It is surrounded by parking lots and a factory or two. The only hint of where it was from the outside is the signs and the giant wooden fence surrounding the village.

Once we walked in, we were greeted by a kind staff member who didn't speak much English (not a criticism, we were in Quebec, afterall!) but called on another lady who could communicate with us better. She told us when our English speaking tour began and that we could walk around and take photographs of the area. You could smell campfire and we seen staff walking around wearing traditional clothing.

We first headed toward the gift shop. Near the front, there's Wendat statues you can pose with and an totem pole. The gift shop also has a large dream catcher our front.

This is by far the most legitimate gift shop we've had the pleasure of browsing/purchasing. All of the other gift shops tend to be tacky, with products being made in China. This one was all Canadian made with artwork from First Nations ALL over Canada. Even if you don't purchase anything, it's very interesting to see the hand-made items. There were furs and fur hats, wooden magnets with animals and the area, mini-handmade teepees, hand-made dolls, leather wallets with artwork, Traditional First nations music which you could buy on CD, incense, carved bull horns and rocks, and all of it was tax free which made things even more appealing. We ended up buying a bull horn with a wolf howling at the moon carved on it which was made in British Columbia and my inlaws bought a doll. If you want to feel good about supporting Canadians and First Nations, THIS is the gift shop you should be buying from. We approached the campfire for our English speaking tour and found our guide, a gentleman dressed in traditional clothing named Pierre. He told us that he had two names, a Wendat name and a French one. I can't recall the Wendat one because it was difficult to pronounce. We were the only English speakers in his group at that time, so it was almost like we had our own personal tour guide! He brought us around and showed us a lot of really informative stuff about their culture. We were brought into a tent which showcased what the inside of a home would look like way back along time ago. There were furs and beds and we learned that they would store firewood below the beds. Pierre invited us to touch the fur. I could go on what he told us, but I don't wish to spoil it. He was full of information,insight and funny jokes, too.

After, he showed us how the Wendat cooked food, and how they had made saunas, to bathe in the winter time. We were brought into a Shaman tent used to treat ailments and told not to take photographs of the masks used as respect. There were canoes and snow shoes and he showed us a short video. We learned how they made snow shoes and the boats. We also learned why a lot of the guides don't have the Wendat traits (including our guide, Pierre). Apparently, due to the spread of disease from immigrants, their population had declined so significantly that there was a lot of mixing in between Europeans and themselves. It just goes to show you that you can't judge a person based on their looks, especially when the whole reason the traits were lost was because of our ancestors. We also learned about their modern life, how they attend school until grade 13 (I think), and how they have to go outside of the reserve to continue schooling.

Unfortunately, we did not have the time to eat at the restaurant. I would have liked to.

All-in-all, the tour was great and Pierre was very informative. I really enjoyed his tour. The staff here are all fantastic and polite and very informative. There's a lot of opportunities to snap photos and it really reveals the resilience of these strong and cultured people. I...

I recommend visiting The Huron Traditional Site, a meticulously recreated Wendat village that offers an immersive journey into indigenous culture. It will give you a great appreciation of the challenges the Wendat peoples have faced over centuries. This unique attraction provides a deep insight into the lives of the Wendat people, allowing you to step back in time and experience their traditions firsthand.

Upon arrival, you'll find that most of the activities and the guided tour are conducted outdoors, allowing you to bask in the natural beauty of the surroundings while learning about the Wendat way of life. The open-air setting adds authenticity to the experience, as you explore the various facets of their daily routine, rituals, and customs.

While the guided tour offers a comprehensive understanding of the village and its significance, it's advisable to plan your timing accordingly. Tour times are limited which can lead to wait times, so making reservations in advance or arriving during less crowded hours can enhance your experience.

You will be engaging with knowledgeable guides who provide fascinating insights. Every moment at The Huron Traditional Site is a captivating learning opportunity. The attention to detail in the village's construction and the dedication to preserving the Wendat heritage is truly commendable.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply seeking a unique and educational outing, The Huron Traditional Site promises to leave you enriched and inspired by Wendat history. Don't miss the chance to transport yourself to another era and connect with the vibrant legacy of...

This is a great place. I went with my family and we signed up for a guided tour, though you could explore on your own if you wished. There was an option to have the guided tour in both French and English and I would certainly recommend having a tour as it was a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more than just what we could read on signs and see in the displays. Our guide in particular was very knowledgeable and approachable.

There's so much history and culture here and this site is a great way to help understand traditional life and to understand how the people have struggled and continue to struggle under colonialism and yet how resilient they are and how they continue to work to better their community.

There is a large gift shop as well, with many interesting items to purchase, and the products are produced by, and proceeds going towards indigenous people. At they same time, I did not feel that anyone was pushy or that there was any pressure to buy anything.

There is also a restaurant on site that serves traditional foods, though we did not eat here due to dietary restrictions. This place is not a polished or slick place, but it's still very much worth the time. It is good for a half day event and I would highly...