Hotel Château Albert (reproduction)
The Hôtel Château Albert, located in the Village historique acadien, is a faithful reproduction of the original plans drawn up by Acadian architect Nazaire Dugas and the hotel’s first owner, Pierre P. Albert.
Pierre P. Albert, born in 1870, built this enormous edifice in Caraquet in 1907, to plans designed by Nazaire Dugas. Unfortunately, Pierre ran into financial difficulties right from the start. With the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s, the people of the Acadian Peninsula threw themselves into the hotel business, believing that the railroad would bring a wave of visitors and tourists. This was not the case, and like a number of hotels, the Château Albert closed its doors just a few years after opening.
When Château Albert was a hotel, it had a very good reputation. The hotel had 24 rooms and a good stable for horses. Wedding receptions were held here, including that of Fred Poirier and Françoise Paulin in August 1910, as well as banquets such as the one in April 1913 to celebrate the manager of the Banque Provinciale.
In 1914, when the First World War broke out, the hotel was converted into militia headquarters, and used for recruiting and training soldiers of the 165th Acadian Battalion. After the war, the building was sold to Joseph Dumas, who rented out the rooms as apartments. Barber Rhéal Albert opened a store here in the 1920s, while Shippagan lawyer Albany Robichaud had an office and Fred Bourque opened a pharmacy in 1940.
Around 1943-1944 the building was sold to Ashley Colter, who turned it into a general store, the A. & R. Loggie. The Chateau Albert remained a store until 1955, when it was destroyed by fire.
During the development of the 20th-century phase of the Village historique acadien, the Château Albert was rebuilt on the historic site to accommodate tourists wishing to stay in an early 20th-century hotel.
Operating from June to September, Hôtel Château Albert offers guests an authentic experience. With no televisions or telephones, the rooms respect the historic cachet, but for a few details. With its claw-foot bath, wood panelling and hushed, relaxing atmosphere, travelling back in time has never been so easy or so comfortable!
