About

The Companions of Louis Cyr, a non-profit organization managing the Maison Louis-Cyr, was founded in 1997. At the time, the organization operated a small museum that preserved a few artefacts showcasing the exceptional journey of this remarkable man: the Louis Cyr Museum. However, over the years, challenges began to mount. Attendance declined, and funding diminished. Change was needed.

For years, the idea had been in the air: moving the modest Louis Cyr Museum into the house built and inhabited in the early 20th century by the legendary strongman himself. When the Companions purchased the house in the summer of 2011, they faced a daunting challenge.

The extensive restoration of the house began. With authenticity at the heart of the organization’s values, the house had to be restored to its original appearance. Archival photographs, historical records, and experts were consulted to ensure that visitors could experience a home as close as possible to its original state, both inside and out.

On July 3, 2014, after three years of dedicated work, the Companions of Louis Cyr officially inaugurated the Maison Louis-Cyr.

Today, the museum presents two permanent exhibitions dedicated to the life of the strongman:

• Louis Cyr and His Era, which spans two floors of the house and explores his personal life, family life, and 19th-century daily living.

• Louis Cyr and His Feats, located in the barn behind the house, featuring artefacts that illustrate Mr. Cyr’s professional career, records, travels, and the creation of the Quebec circus.

Few tourist attractions can boast of being located exactly where history was made. In Saint-Jean-de-Matha, strength is part of the community’s heritage, carried by the legacy of Louis Cyr, a legendary figure who left an indelible mark on his contemporaries.