History

(1929-2025)

All the characters of l'Île-aux-Puces and the texts they perform are inspired by the work of Antonine Maillet.

The Larousse dictionary defined Antonine Maillet as the "voice of l'Acadie," as her entire body of work tells the story of her people, their laughter and sorrows, their struggles and triumphs, their dreams and aspirations. Antonine Maillet brought l'Acadie to the world.

Ms. Maillet is the recipient of the Prix Goncourt in 1979 for her novel Pélagie-la-Charrette. A prolific author, it is difficult to say exactly how many books Antonine Maillet has written. Among her best-known works, La Sagouine was published by Leméac in 1971.

La Sagouine, one of the most iconic characters created by Antonine Maillet, has become the voice of an entire people. A woman of humble origins, she is guided by an unshakable logic and a clear, honest view of the world.

Through language that is at once old-fashioned, rare, and deeply poetic, she brings us back to something essential: human dignity.

Since the character’s creation in 1971, the text quickly grew into a phenomenon larger than life. The play has been performed in both French and English across Canada as well as in French-speaking Europe. Through Antonine Maillet’s words- rooted in the identity of a people, and the voice and presence of the remarkable actress Viola Léger, La Sagouine transcended borders and cultures. Viola Léger retired from public life in 2017 and passed away in February 2023. At present, the character is not part of the Pays’ programming.

(1930-2023) 

When an author and a character meet a performer, and magic happens- that is the story behind La Sagouine. Antonine Maillet created a masterpiece with this larger-than-life character, but who could have imagined that, through the talent of Viola Léger, she would come to resonate so deeply in the collective memory of an entire people?

Remarkably, Ms. Léger became an actress almost by accident, when Antonine Maillet offered her the title role in La Sagouine. Thus was born a legendary character: a humble Acadian cleaning woman who shares her eventful life with humour and dignity. She first performed the role in 1971 and went on to present it in both of Canada’s official languages across Canada, the United States, and France. Her performance earned her a Dora Mavor Moore Award.

Beginning in 1993, she spent her summers at the Pays de la Sagouine, where she continued to bring this iconic character to life.

Viola Léger brought La Sagouine to life- and in doing so, offered a sense of hope to L’Acadie. Suddenly, on stage, there was a character of striking truth, voicing aloud what many had long held inside. Viola Léger did not simply play La Sagouine, she was La Sagouine.

She also inspired generations of artists to pursue careers in the arts. A theatre teacher for many years, Ms. Léger shared her deep love of the stage and of the sacred, leaving a lasting imprint on countless performers seen across Acadian stages and beyond today.

Ms. Léger retired from public life in 2017 and passed away on January 28, 2023.

Inaugurated in 1992 on a small island in Bouctouche Bay, the Pays de la Sagouine was born from the imagination of Antonine Maillet. For over 30 years, it has brought Acadian culture to life through its colorful characters, energy filled performances, and a constant drive for renewal.

Unique in Canada, the site is inspired by the literary work of Antonine Maillet- an internationally renowned novelist and playwright, and recipient of the prestigious Prix Goncourt for Pélagie-la-Charrette. A native of Bouctouche, she is also the author of the iconic La Sagouine.

A non-profit organization with more than 140 employees, the Pays is supported by a community-based board of directors. Its mission: to celebrate l’Acadie through the work of Antonine Maillet.

An ambassador of Acadian culture and a major employer in the performing arts, the Pays serves as both a showcase for visitors and a source of pride for Acadians. Since opening, it has welcomed over 1.8 million visitors, making it a key tourism and economic driver for the Kent region.