From March 6th to April 25th 2010, we will be most happy to greet our clients to our 31th year of maple syrup operations.
Our facilities are owned by the Bellavance family whose concern for excellence is passed on from generation to generation. In 1977, Fernand Bellavance and his wife Gisèle Lachance (successors to founder Edouard Bellavance and his son Wellie) opened their premises to clients whom wanted to enjoy their succulent maple syrup based meals. Daughter France succeeded to her parents in 1984. Her son Gabriel, supported by his five daughters, actively participates to the operations and will eventually take charge.
Seating capacity now accommodates 160 (originally 40) clients per meals. They enjoy our 'all you can eat' menus that offer 'oreilles de crisse' (salted pork crisps), souffléd omelets, baked beans simmered over many hours, thick slices of ham, white potatoes, salads, marinades and home made bread.
Buckets are still used to collect the sap from the maple trees. By coming to our maple shack situated near the Quebec/Maine border, many Franco-Americans take advantage of the spring season to taste their ancestors' cuisine. You are bound to see grandmothers explaining to their grandchildren how one makes maple taffy by pouring some hot maple syrup on the snow and then picking it up with a stick. Or, joking on the origins of the maple dumplings known as 'grand-pères'.
Bellavance products are available year-round from Marché Lavallée at Lac Mégantic, Marché Poirier at Lambton, Coop St-Samuel at Lac Drolet. During the summer season, you will also find them at the fruits and vegetables stands of Ferme Couture at Stratford and Bruno Roy at Lambton. We also supply small agri-food businesses with 'cretons', sausages, patés, jams, all made to their specifications (C1 permit holder).
