Although Léandre isn’t originally from the Gaspé Peninsula, he considers this region home. His family, the Auclairs, settled in Rivière-à-Claude in the 1800s, when the village was in its infancy.

Every summer, his father took him to the family cottage, and that’s when Léandre fell in love with the village and its roots. After completing his history studies, he decided to fulfill a long-held dream: becoming an entrepreneur! He purchased the village church in 2022 to open his own distillery, while preserving the site’s heritage character. The creation of the Cap-aux-Péchés Distillery was the perfect opportunity to connect with his roots and breathe new life into the village.

Since he was 18, Léandre has been passionate about the process of making alcoholic products and enjoys discovering new flavors. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, he knew from a young age that he would one day go into business. His goal, both personal and professional, is simple: to be happy, to do what he loves, and to have fun. For the young entrepreneur, this means maintaining the values ​​of preserving the local heritage while revitalizing the village.

Léandre has several projects in mind, including the creation of new products and enriching the visitor experience. Passionate about history, he continues to be interested in his village’s past, which he shares through his legendary character, “Ti-Père Auclair.” Don’t hesitate to chat with him if you run into him during your visit.

FAVORITE
“My favorite thing about Haute-Gaspésie is the people. Even if it sounds cliché, it’s true. Over the past year, I’ve been supported, encouraged, and advised by many individuals, both entrepreneurs and individuals. Their kindness is a precious characteristic that I deeply cherish. I’m proud to belong to the Gaspé Peninsula, but also to our MRC!”