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Six cousins and grandchildren of the original founders are breathing new life into the historic Motel Étoile D’Or in Rivière-à-Claude, transforming the 1960s landmark into the modern Complexe Étoile D’Or. Led by president Éric Coulombe, the family completed extensive renovations to open six rental condos and a chalet in June, adding modern winter insulation to keep operations running year-round for the first time.
A Family Legacy Rooted in 1960s Architecture
The original establishment first opened its doors in 1960, built by Luc Bernier and Adrienne Auclair. According to Éric Coulombe, speaking on the Première escale broadcast, his grandmother managed the kitchen while his grandfather handled building maintenance and exterior upkeep. The founding couple raised five daughters, three of whom eventually took over the daily operations, working for twenty years to preserve the property.
That multi-generational connection heavily influenced the current revival. “Ça fait longtemps que c’était ouvert. Ça fait [plus de] 60 ans. Comme nous, il y a trois générations et plus qui sont venues passer des vacances d’été à l’Étoile D’Or,” Coulombe noted. Rather than building from scratch, the third generation inherited a structure with an established local history.
Modernizing the Complexe Étoile D’Or for Four-Season Travel
In September, Coulombe and his cousins Mathieu, Jérôme, Pierre-Luc, Thomas, and Stéphane launched a complete overhaul of the family property. The primary engineering upgrade involved comprehensive building insulation. Historically closed during the colder months, the newly rebranded Complexe Étoile D’Or is now engineered to accommodate visitors through the winter season.
The renovation yielded six rental condominiums and one independent chalet, which officially welcomed their first guests in June. According to Coulombe, the summer season has proven successful, with strong reservation numbers building steadily as travelers return to the historic site along the coast.
What Travelers Need to Know
For visitors planning a stay at the updated Rivière-à-Claude destination, the transformation balances nostalgic heritage with modern hospitality standards. Key operational details include:
- Location: Rivière-à-Claude, maintaining the original geographic footprint established by Luc Bernier and Adrienne Auclair.
- Accommodations: Six newly renovated rental condos alongside one private chalet.
- Operating Schedule: Open since June for the summer season, with new winterization upgrades allowing year-round bookings for the first time in the property’s more than 60 years.
- Leadership: Headed by president Éric Coulombe alongside six co-owning cousins representing the third generation of the founding family.
By blending decades of family stewardship with essential structural upgrades, the group ensures that the regional landmark remains a vibrant part of local tourism well into the future.
