The house of François-Xavier-Garneau passes into the hands of Pierre Carl Pelado

Businessman Pierre Carl Péladeau buys the François-Xavier-Garnau House, once home to one of Quebec’s most famous historians.

The Victorian-era residence, furnished, sold for $515,000.

The heritage-listed building’s 25-year owner, champion cyclist and businessman Louis Garneau, put the house up for sale on May 8.

Worried about the future that is hard to close his eyes, he is now happy to see this piece of collective heritage in good hands.

“It’s really good news and it’s a great start to my summer. It’s like a dream for someone as passionate as me to take over this house,” said Louis Garneau.

“I am very happy that this is Pierre Karl, a great lover of culture, history and at the same time a very patriotic person,” he said.

An opportunity to be accessible to the public

According to him and to the delight of many, the house is also open to the public at certain specific times of the year.

Credit Péladeau Real Estate Agency

In view of the expenses involved in maintaining and opening it to the public, Mr. Garneau stated that he cannot sell the property to the first comer and wants to find a buyer who knows how to take care of it. He has been pursuing the same passion since 1998.

“No one can buy a house like this. There are those who have money but are not passionate about culture, history and heritage. Fortunately, this is not the case with Pierre Karl”, he raised.

Louis Garneau also wants the handover to be on June 24, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, so that everything is more important. It depends on when it gets approval from the Ministry of Culture and Communications.

A historical building

Even today, the house, built in 1864, still retains its old-time charm as it has always been preserved and treated with care by successive owners.

Credit Péladeau Real Estate Agency

Virtually nothing has changed since its inception. For example, the original woodwork is still intact, a great library of a hundred books, priceless value.

Pierre Karl Péladeau continues the line, agreeing to buy all the furniture there. Proud of a storied past, the house can continue to bear witness to the bourgeoisie of the time François-Xavier Garneau lived there.