THE MONIQUE AND GISÈLE BENOIT CENTRE
The largest wildlife art exhibition in eastern Canada
Covering an area of 4,400 sq. ft., the Centre includes several exhibition spaces, a room to watch documentaries and a boutique. The Society of Art and Science for Nature, a non-profit organization co-founded by the Benoits, has been managing the Monique and Gisèle Benoit Centre since 2009.
The team
Since its opening in 2009, the Monique and Gisèle Benoit Centre has relied on a team made up mostly of volunteers. They are always present to welcome you, answer your questions and share with you their passion for art and nature!
A place to discover the wild world
The mission of the Centre: to touch, amaze and make people of all ages aware of wildlife, through the considerable work of Monique, Gisèle and Raynald Benoit, a family of naturalists well-known in the fields of nature art and documentaries.
A must-see tourist destination!
Located in the tourist region of Haute-Gaspésie, in Québec, the Monique and Gisèle Benoit Centre offers its visitors a unique experience: acquiring knowledge about northern fauna and flora while admiring the largest exhibition of wildlife art in eastern Canada.
Exhibition 2024
While the web-series MA’IINGAN, IN THE LAND OF THE WOLF is gaining popularity on YouTube, the Monique and Gisèle Benoit Centre is offering an exhibition on the theme of the wildlife of the land of the wolf.
Visitors will be able to admire paintings dedicated to certain key characters of this web-series. Gisèle and Monique will be present at the Centre sporadically to discuss with the public.
An exhibition not to be missed!
Practical Information
Monique and Gisèle Benoit Centre
218, 1re Avenue Est
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts (Québec) Canada G4V 1A3
Phone: 418 764-2092 or 1 877 398-1145 (toll-free)
info@sasnature.org
The Centre is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from June 15 to Thanksgiving Day. The admission is free.
Sensitization and education
Talks
The cultural and scientific vocation of the Centre takes on its full meaning during events such as talks and guided tours for groups of various ages. Gisèle Benoit sometimes has the opportunity to share her passion for nature with the public, around a campfire. No talks are planned for the moment, but we invite those interested to subscribe to our
newsletter so as not to miss anything.
School visits and organized groups
Each year, the Centre welcomes school groups, members of clubs or organizations. Young and old are welcome! Contact us if your organization would like to take a guided tour!
IMPORTANT EVENTS
The Benoits honoured
In June 2022, the MNA for Gaspé, Mrs. Méganne Perry Mélançon presented Monique, Raynald and Gisèle with the Medal of the National Assembly of Québec. This recognition underlines the contribution of the work of the Benoit family for the protection of nature in Québec
Already 10 years!
In 2019, to celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Monique and Gisèle Benoit Centre carried out a major expansion project that doubles its surface area. The inauguration of the Salle Nature Nouvelle took place during a happy hour bringing together volunteers and employees of SAS Nature, as well as several dignitaries and people from the cultural and tourist communities of Haute-Gaspésie.
Launching of an art book
In June 2016, SAS Nature published the handsome art book FRISSON SACRÉ du monde sauvage, written by Gabriel Leblanc and Gisèle Benoit. Its inspiring prefaces are written by the executive director of the Musée du Fjord du Saguenay, Mrs. Guylaine Simard, and the well-known anthropologist, Serge Bouchard.
COLLABORATION WITH THE MUSÉE DU FJORD
In 2016, the Centre collaborated on a project related to a major scientific exhibition on Canadian deer, organized by the Musée du Fjord. About fifteen original paintings by the Benoits were exhibited; a lecture given by Gisèle filled the room. The Benoit family and the executive director of the Museum, Mrs. Guylaine Simard, appear in this photo taken during the inauguration of the exhibition.
EXHIBITION: LIVING TREASURES OF THE BOREAL
(2018-2019 seasons) The Canada lynx and the grey wolf are stealthy predators that are difficult to observe. Monique and Gisèle have made these ghosts the central elements of a major exhibition bringing together various species of boreal flora and fauna. Thanks to some thirty paintings accompanied by explanatory texts and the screening of animal documentaries, the public was able to learn more about the kingdom of black spruce trees, so dear to the Benoit family.
EXHIBITION: THE LITTLE PRINCES OF NATURE
(2016-2017 seasons) Monique and Gisèle realized an old dream by presenting to the public about thirty paintings on the theme of baby animals from North America. Little feathered, downy or furry princes share the same joy of living. Bringing together all these adorable creatures under one roof has transformed the Centre into a festive Noah's Ark!
EXHIBITION: THE LORDS OF THE ROCKIES
(2014-2015 seasons) The Benoit family has made several observation stays in the national parks of the Canadian Rockies. This exhibition brought together paintings on the theme of the great wildlife of the West, such as elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, moose, grizzly bear and many others.
EXHIBITION: THE MAGIC OF THE MOOSE
(2010-2011 seasons) Since the release of the documentary In the Company of Moose, the expertise of the Benoits on moose behaviour goes beyond the borders of Québec. It was therefore normal that the first thematic exhibition presented at the Centre is devoted to the king of our forests.
CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING
In April 2009, a few founding members of the Society of Art and Science for Nature (SAS Nature) broke ground before the start of construction of the Monique and Gisèle Benoit Centre. A bequest from Mrs. Pauline Blaquière, donations from individuals and the determination of a handful of volunteers have made possible the creation of this unique place of discovery.
