Espace NAPAGA

An open-air archaeological museum A timeless museum complex, Espace NAPAGA is located on the Pabos archaeological site, ensuring its preservation. More than 18,500 artifacts have been discovered to date, reconstructing daily life in the Gaspé coast’s largest permanent commercial fishing establishment in the 18th and 19th centuries.

An open-air archaeological museum

In 1978, for example, the Ministry of the Environment decided to bury the carcass of a whale that had washed up on the beach in the middle of the site, giving free rein to the trucks and cranes needed for the task, in clear violation of the Cultural Property Act by which the site had been classified a few years earlier. Finally, in 1981, the Corporation du Bourg de Pabos was founded. From 1981 to 1987, the Corporation oversaw archaeological excavations and the production of a historical document. This pivotal phase was masterfully led by renowned archaeologist Pierre Nadon, whose work at Forges-Saint-Maurice had been exemplary. In 1988, the Corporation presented a development project to the two levels of government – the interpretive centre and the very first permanent exhibit. Accepted in 1990 as part of a federal–provincial agreement, the project required a substantial investment from the community to receive authorization to proceed. Galvanized, residents quickly launched a historic fundraising campaign, and the goals were met in 1992. The interpretive centre was built the following year and opened its doors in 1994, operating under the name “Parc du Bourg de Pabos”. The originality of the building and its perfect integration into an exceptional environment earned it two architectural awards. Mindful of these criteria, the Corporation also launched a major architectural competition to find partners who shared its vision.