The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The artisanal butter-making workshops will begin on June 26, 2025.

Historical

Historical - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron

La vieille fromagerie Perron

The cheese industry played a major role in the development of both the region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and the province of Québec. Its history began with the establishment of the first cheddar factories by the Loyalists that came from the United States. 95% of the production was exported to England.

The Municipality of Saint-Prime alone had six cheese factories. During the Second World War the region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean was recognized for its production so that although the artisanal cheese industry was decreasing in the other regions of Québec production was increasing here in the region. Our cheeses were known in England as Lake St. John Cheese!

The Perron cheese was one of the last cheese factories to export its cheese to England, which it did up to 2000. The Perron Family remained active up to 2015 and was one of the oldest cheese making families. The last owner sold his shares to a dairy cooperative in 2015, but the company kept the same name and the same fabrication process.

Our history

A page of history is turned - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1967

A page of history is turned

The production of cheese in the old Perron premises ceases. Production is transferred into a bigger modern plant built next to the old premises. Production switches from an artisanal method to a semi-automated type. The obsolete premises become a warehouse.

First foray - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1985

First foray

Albert Perron approaches Québec's Ministry of Cultural Affairs to assess the possibility of opening a cheddar cheese museum in his old cheese making premises. He receives support from both the Ministry and the Municipality of Saint-Prime.

Historical ethnography - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1986

Historical ethnography

Albert Perron participates in a research project which the following year gives rise to an important historical ethnography of the Perron cheese factory by Lise Fournier, an ethnologist from Québec.

First phase of renovations - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1987

First phase of renovations

Establishment of an interim committee dedicated to restoring and enhancing the century old cheese making factory

Granting of national status - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1989

Granting of national status

Québec's Ministry of Cultural Affairs grants national heritage status to the site, thus classifying the cheese making factory as an historical monument. This is formal recognition of the historical and heritage value of the building and its tools.

Incorporation of the organization - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
12th Februrary 1990

Incorporation of the organization

The Old Perron cheese-making factory in Saint-Prime is incorporated and receives its land patent on 2nd December 1990.

Encouraging conclusions - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
June 1991

Encouraging conclusions

Ethnologist Lise Fournier submits her account of the Old Perron cheese-making factory to the Corporation and the Municipality. The report focuses on the site's exhibits and their interpretation and makes very positive conclusions

Signing the Deed - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
9th April 1992

Signing the Deed

Albert Perron's donation of the old cheese factory and its land to the Corporation is signed into deed by notary public. Work begins on the renovation of the building and the creation of an historical interpretation.

The museum stands out at the regional tourism grand prix - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1994

The museum stands out at the regional tourism grand prix

The Museum wins top prize for regional tourism in the category 'innovation'..

Looking for the family furniture - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1995

Looking for the family furniture

The Corporation undertakes research to locate furniture once owned by the Perron family.

Opening of the cheese-maker's lodgings - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
1999

Opening of the cheese-maker's lodgings

Visitors are now able to access the Perron family's lodgings.

Celebrating the Museum’s 10th anniversary - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2002

Celebrating the Museum’s 10th anniversary

The Cheddar Cheese Museum celebrates 10 years of existence, a fact which demonstrates its vitality and sustainability.

Innovations and service improvements - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2003

Innovations and service improvements

Improvements to the site, development of strategy and marketing, installation of bike lockers to the rear, and filming of a video showing modern cheese making techniques.

School program and archiving work - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2005

School program and archiving work

Creation of an education program and hire of a museologist to create an archive of the entire museum collection.

Enhancement of the exhibition - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2009

Enhancement of the exhibition

Improvements to the permanent exhibition "Daily Routines". With the assistance of museology company Bergeron Gagnon.

The museum stands out again at the Regional Tourism Grand Prix - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2010

The museum stands out again at the Regional Tourism Grand Prix

Mrs Orietta Gilbet, employee-founder of the museum, receives a top award for regional tourism in the 'human resources' category. Participation in the National Tourism Grand Prix under the same category.

A new approach to interpretation - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2012

A new approach to interpretation

Conceptualisation of a new exhibition " From one Perron generation to another: 125 years of history. "

The museum is expanded and the name is changed - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2013

The museum is expanded and the name is changed

Architectural designs for the extension of the museum and initiation of work on the new exhibition. Change of name to Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron.

Launch of the newly branded Musée de la vieille fromagerie Perron - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2014

Launch of the newly branded Musée de la vieille fromagerie Perron

Introduction of new educational workshops, conclusion to the extension works, design of a new ticket office and souvenir shop.

The Museum wins an accolade from Québec's Museum Society. - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2015

The Museum wins an accolade from Québec's Museum Society.

The Musée de la vieille fromagerie Perron wins a top accolade for excellence from Québec's Museum society.

A new corporate identity - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2017

A new corporate identity

Market research leads to new branding.

The museum is temporarily closed - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2020

The museum is temporarily closed

2020 is cemented forever in our memories with the onset of a global pandemic. Public Health regulations force the closure of the museum for the 2020 season.

Reorganization of our services - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2021

Reorganization of our services

With the pandemic still hanging in the air and not wanting to cancel a second tourist season, the museum creates an audio-guide to offer a self-directed tour for visitors. Meanwhile, the internet site is redesigned to incorporate the audio-guide.

2022

On the way to 2022

The Perron Old Cheese Factory Museum has just acquired the presbytery in Saint-Prime and its former grain shed, a building of great heritage value that will become a new exhibition space just a few metres from the museum.

New Exhibition: “Through the Threads of Time…” - Musée de la Vieille Fromagerie Perron
2025

New Exhibition: “Through the Threads of Time…”

The museum is proud to present its brand-new exhibition: “Through the Threads of Time”.This exhibition highlights the traditional textile skills that were part of everyday life for rural families in the past. You’ll discover an authentic loom, delicate crochet pieces made by the Perron family, traditional embroidery, and various tools used to turn raw fiber into fabric.Through historical objects, period books, and occasional demonstrations, “Through the Threads of Time” invites you to explore a world of creativity, patience, and family solidarity at the heart of Québec’s heritage.Come discover this lesser-known chapter of our history!