{"id":11539,"date":"2022-05-26T12:24:04","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T16:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/?p=11539"},"modified":"2023-08-07T14:42:00","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T18:42:00","slug":"le-monastere-des-augustines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/le-monastere-des-augustines\/","title":{"rendered":"WELL Q&A: Healing & Contemplation at Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When I arrived at Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines<\/a>, I knew this was no ordinary \u201cwellness hotel.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the moment I entered I could feel a special energy. The energy of almost 400 years of caretaking, compassion and heart of the Augustinian Sisters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will admit that I worried before my trip that I might be bored. The offerings here were nothing like that of many destination spas I\u2019ve visited in the United States. No extensive list of fitness classes, TVs in the room or evening activities. In fact, the authentic rooms had shared baths (I loved it!).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But all of these \u201cmodern day concerns\u201d melted away as I immersed myself in the experience.\u00a0I can honestly say I adored the slower pace which allowed me to hear myself think, to feel more centered, to let go of the busyness of my everyday life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatments are world class, the food delicious and nourishing, the walks refreshing and the location just right. It\u2019s comforting to know that a place like Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines exists for those times when you truly need to put life in perspective and focus on yourself for a while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Isabelle Duchesneau, Founding Executive Director & General Manager<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Isabelle Duchesneau has extensive management experience with internationally-renowned companies in the tourism industry. She holds a university degree in Business Administration and a diploma in Human Kinetics and Neuro-coaching. She worked as a college professor in Hotel Management and a consultant for organizations in the Wellness Tourism industry for many years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2012, Isabelle\u2019s passion for all aspects of holistic health led her to her role as Executive Director in the design, development and implementation of an innovative concept for Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines, a unique, monastery-turned-retreat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sallie: You\u2019ve been a part of Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines before they opened their doors in 2015. Can you tell us how it came to be built?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Duchesneau<\/strong>: For nearly four centuries, the Augustinian Sisters devoted themselves to caring for others, while laying the foundation for our modern healthcare system in North America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since they founded their first hospital in 1639, the Augustinian Sisters always used a holistic approach to health. Until 1965 (the year the Canadian government took over the management of our health system), they were managing hospitals with a vision of harmony between science and spirituality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confronted with their community\u2019s decline in numbers, the Augustinian Sisters, after 20 years of reflection, chose to pass their precious heritage within their lifetime. This included the founding monastery-hospital, 50,000 medical and ethnological artifacts and one kilometer of archives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After an investment of $42 million dollars by the Canadian Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments and three years of renovation, this precious and unique heritage building reopened to the public in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sallie: How did you personally become involved with the creation of this unique Wellness Hotel and Heritage Center?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Duchesneau:<\/strong> I was personally brought on board of this unique project in 2012 as Executive Director to develop the business plan and create a unique concept with a modern vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if non-confessional or religious in nature, the practices at Le Monast\u00e8re are deeply rooted in the Augustinian Sisters\u2019 mission and values and are lived in a contemporary center dedicated to holistic health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We invite people to have an authentic experience in this heritage site. The property comprises 65 rooms, a museum, an archive center, a mindful cuisine restaurant, multifunctional rooms, a boutique, and a wide range of activities and specialized services in holistic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sallie: Le Monast\u00e8re is a \u201cSocial Mission.\u201d What exactly does that mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Duchesneau:<\/strong>\u00a0We are a non-profit organization that integrates revenue-generating components to support its social mission and cultural and heritage mandates. Our social mission keeps faith with that\u00a0of the founding sisters. This means the well-being of individuals and societies and the care of health professionals and caregivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sallie: How does sustainability fit into the mission of Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Duchesneau:<\/strong> The mission of Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines is to ensure the preservation of the Augustinian Sisters\u2019 material, immaterial and social heritage.  All efforts and resources have been combined so that future generations will continue to enjoy this precious legacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable and responsible development is one of the guiding principles of this project. The restoration and rehabilitation of the heritage building has called on considerable resources.  Several initiatives in sustainable development have been implemented during construction as well as during the implementation of the different products and services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, the mission of Le Monast\u00e8re is to ensure that the Augustinian\u2019s heritage is accessible to all and to give support and respite to those who care for others. The cultural and educational programs, the archives center open to researchers and the museum ticket policy are part of this desire to share and disseminate this unique heritage to the widest number of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sallie: What are your hopes for the future of Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Duchesneau:<\/strong> My hope is that Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines continues to thrive for at least another 400 years.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope we can continue to serve the community with our founding heritage which highlights a culture of care, social innovation, the evolution of western medicine and the benevolent leadership of these visionary, inspiring women representing one of the first entrepreneur women communities in North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Isabelle Houde, Assistant Executive Director <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Isabelle Houde has 27 years of experience in marketing & communications. She worked for advertising agencies, a scientific research center and for a financial cooperative before changing her career for a job that allowed her to work in accordance with her values and passions by joining Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Assistant Executive Director Isabelle\u2019s role consists in developing the wellness offer in all sectors of the organization. She creates content and ensures the preservation of the brand in its holistic health mission. Isabelle is also very much involved in building and implementing the corporate culture of Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sallie: You are helping to shape the \u201csignature\u201d of Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines. Can you tell us about your signature wellness treatments?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Houde:<\/strong> Our wellness offerings are based on holistic health principals where the healing focuses on the body, the mind, the emotional and spiritual pillars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I believe shapes our \u201csignature\u201d is that it is deeply rooted in the hospitable tradition of the Augustinian Sisters, whose mission was to care for bodies and souls. We favor a state of calm and slowness. And we invite guests to savor silence<\/a> and contemplation, to be mindful and to explore their five senses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also promote disconnection with outside distractions to reconnect with the heart. This allows guests to hear their inner voice and to feel their bodies and souls. We practice this through the different treatments we offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our benevolent, compassionate and loving staff is fully present to listen, to support, to accompany and to acknowledge our guests. Nothing is imposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we believe is important is to offer the environment and conditions to help guests reconnect with themselves to understand what they need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another important component of our \u201csignature\u201d is that through their journey at Le Monast\u00e8re, guests discover the hidden treasure where culture, well-being and the quest for meaning come together to spark a transformational change in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sallie: You are preserving a \u201cLegacy of Care\u201d at Le Monast\u00e8re des Augustines. Please explain why this matters now more than ever.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Isabelle Houde:<\/strong> Nowadays everything goes so fast and everyone is so busy taking care of everything and everyone but themselves. I wonder if it has anything to do with the expression \u201csave the best for last.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, that may be one of the reasons why so many people are tired, stressed and even burned out. The secret of the Augustinians sisters to maintain a balanced and healthy life was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n