Le Musée de la Petite Maison Blanche

Imagine a humble wooden house that became a legend thanks to its incredible strength. The Little White House Museum (Le Musée de la Petite Maison Blanche) is not just a historic building in Saguenay, but a true symbol of hope and survival. Built back in 1900, it gained worldwide fame after the catastrophic 1996 flood when, despite the fury of the elements, it remained the only surviving structure in its neighborhood.

Today, this unique site in Canada has been transformed into a modern museum complex. Spanning three floors, fascinating exhibits tell the story of the owners' family and the days of the great flood. Visitors will find not only classic archival photos and household items but also innovative robotic characters that literally bring history to life before the audience's eyes.

The area around the museum has been turned into a picturesque park with relaxation zones and playgrounds. This place wonderfully combines the drama of the past with the peaceful atmosphere of the present, offering guests a chance to experience the resilient spirit of Quebec's residents through interactive models and multimedia shows.

For more details before your visit or to book a group tour, you can use the museum's official contact information.

Immersion into history begins right at the doorstep: the museum's three floors feature detailed models of the neighborhood as they were before the devastating flood. Be sure to watch the educational video recounting the house's fate and meet the robotic characters — a unique technology for Quebec that makes the story of the past truly come alive. Carefully examine the collection of artifacts, which even includes an unusual collection of decorative toothpicks.

For those traveling with children, the museum has prepared an engaging game called "Where's Charlie?" — try to find the small character figure hidden among the large-scale exhibits. After touring the indoor halls, it's pleasant to stroll through the surrounding park, which features picnic areas and viewpoints overlooking the Saguenay River.

Don't forget to stop by the nearby Magasin Général La Commère shop. Styled as an early 20th-century general store, it offers a wide selection of local handmade goods, indigenous souvenirs, and traditional Canadian sweets. Here, you can relax on a cozy porch swing, finishing your journey into the atmosphere of old Chicoutimi.

Getting to this iconic location is easy. The museum is located at 251 Rue Bossé in the Chicoutimi district. For travelers arriving by car, motorcycle, or camper, free parking is available right on the complex's grounds. Quebec's main thoroughfares lead conveniently to the city's tourist areas, and road signs will help ensure you don't miss the turn.

If you prefer public transport, you can take bus routes heading to the center of Chicoutimi. From the city center, the house is within easy walking distance while enjoying the views, or you can take a taxi in just a few minutes. Its convenient location allows you to combine a visit to the museum with other nearby cultural sites, such as the La Pulperie de Chicoutimi Regional Museum.

The history of this humble structure began in 1900. For nearly a century, the house was an ordinary residential building in the Chicoutimi district until July 1996 turned it into a global celebrity. Following record-breaking rainfall, a devastating flood hit the region, becoming one of the largest natural disasters in Canada's history.

While a powerful torrent of water, comparable in strength to Niagara Falls, literally wiped neighboring buildings and infrastructure off the face of the earth over four days, the Little White House stood firm. It remained at the epicenter of the elements for four days and stayed practically unharmed, while total damage to the region exceeded a billion dollars. Locals saw this event as a true miracle and a symbol of incredible resilience.

Today, the building functions as a museum that preserves the memory of the owners' family and the events of those days. The park, laid out around the museum on the site of destroyed homes, serves as a reminder of the community's determination and solidarity in the face of adversity. The house remains the last witness to the disaster, preserved in its original form on this stretch of the riverbank.

A thoughtful tour of the museum's exhibits typically takes between 1 and 2 hours. This is enough time to watch the educational film and explore the interactive models and unique collections across all three floors.

If you are planning a family trip, it is worth setting aside about 3 hours. This allows children to participate in the indoor scavenger hunts, while adults can relax in the surrounding park overlooking the river or browse the nearby Magasin Général La Commère gift shop.

Please note that the museum may currently be temporarily closed to visitors. During the regular season, the complex's operation is seasonal: generally, the doors are open from late May to mid-October.

In the summer months, the museum often operates on an extended schedule from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, while visiting hours may be reduced in the fall. We strongly recommend checking the current schedule on the museum's official website before your trip.

The Chicoutimi district is rich in interesting locations, so a visit to the museum can easily be turned into a full day of sightseeing. A walk around the neighborhood will allow you to feel the region's atmosphere more deeply and get to know its gastronomic and cultural features.