A Story of Sweet Traditions Spanning Four Generations

For four generations, our sugar shack has been a gathering place to celebrate feast, and honour the richness of maple. The adventure of Le Relais des Pins began with Ludovic Prémont, our grandfather, who used to cross the river on horseback and invite people to enjoy maple taffy on snow while sharing a traditional meal: pea soup, baked beans, meat pie, boiled potatoes, and pancakes with maple syrup.

Back then, travellers would stop near a tall pine tree nearby to water their horses. Ludovic, who loved chatting with visitors, realized that the family home was becoming too small to host everyone. In the 1960s, he built a dedicated dining hall for sugar shack meals, where groups could enjoy festive evenings filled with music and warm traditions.

As its popularity grew, the first expansion was carried out in 1975 by Jean-Claude, Ludovic’s son. This is when Le Relais des Pins got its name and officially opened its doors to all. Tourists, often arriving by bus tours, joined our loyal clientele, and in the 1990s, a maple products boutique was added to offer sweet souvenirs to take home. Today, even in the summer, you can enjoy our famous maple taffy on snow.

In 2009, Jean-Claude entrusted Le Relais des Pins to his son Jean and to us, his nieces Anne and Julie Lachance. We are proud to continue this family tradition while sharing our passion for maple with visitors from all over the world. In 2020, we even created an educational video translated into six languages to tell our story to curious visitors from afar.

Today, the next generation is taking the reins with Frédéric, Jean’s son, who is learning the secrets of maple to carry on this beautiful tradition. Whether you’re visiting alone or with a group, we invite you to explore our sweet world and taste our recipes that have delighted guests for years.

We look forward to sharing our heritage with you!

Anne and Julie Lachance

Sustainability Policy -2026

At Relais des Pins, sustainable development guides our decisions and actions, both in the kitchen and in the management of our facilities and our role within the community. We are committed to implementing concrete actions, in the short and long term, that respect the environment, support the local economy, and reflect our human and territorial values.

Aware of current challenges, we believe it is essential to act in a responsible, consistent, and proactive manner. Relais des Pins aims to position itself as a committed actor in eco-responsible restaurant tourism by working with partners and suppliers who share this vision.

We are also proud to have obtained the Biosphere certification, a recognition that confirms our commitment and motivates us to maintain, strengthen, and continuously improve our sustainable practices year after year.

 

Restaurant Commitments

In our restaurant operations, concrete actions are already in place and will continue to evolve, including:

• reducing water and energy consumption;
• responsible management of residual materials, including recycling and waste reduction;
• the gradual implementation of composting practices when possible;
• selecting local suppliers who are engaged in a sustainable approach.

 

Commitments Related to Buildings and Renovations

Relais des Pins places great importance on the sustainability of its infrastructure. A first phase of renovations has recently been completed, carried out in collaboration with a contractor from Île d’Orléans, thereby supporting the local economy and regional expertise.

A second phase of work is planned for June, with the objective of continuing and improving the facilities. These renovations are part of an eco-responsible approach that prioritizes the use of durable, high-performance, and environmentally respectful materials, as well as collaboration with local businesses whenever possible. In addition, these improvements aim to provide accessibility for people with reduced mobility at all times.

Furthermore, the heating and air conditioning system has been replaced in order to promote the use of renewable energy, prioritizing electricity rather than propane, thereby helping to reduce our environmental footprint.

 

Community Commitments

Relais des Pins is deeply rooted in its community. A community outreach component is already in place and will continue to grow in the coming years, including:

• ongoing collaboration with the Association des bénévoles de l’Île d’Orléans for the redistribution of meals and processed food products;
• participation in food processing days aimed at reducing food waste;
• initiatives that support individuals and families in the community who require food assistance.

 

Continuous Improvement

This sustainable development policy is reviewed and renewed annually by an internal committee. Team members who wish to voluntarily participate in this initiative are welcome to do so. Together, we continue an evolving, realistic, and committed approach, guided by our Biosphere certification and our constant desire to improve year after year.

Revisions made in January 2026