Tie the Knot in a Chapel Made of Bottles

Have you ever thought about being wed in a chapel made of bottles? A few couples have had the honour of ‘tying the knot’ in The Bottle Chapel thanks to the dedicated years of work of retired Cape-Egmont Lighthouse Keeper Édouard Arsenault. Édouard actually had the vision to create three buildings that are now known as The Bottles Houses - a six-gabled house, a tavern, and a chapel.

12,000 Bottles

Édouard gathered a LOT of bottles from… “local dance halls, the legion, restaurants, and… the dump.” The six-gabled house was his first venture. It was built in 1980 using approximately 12,000 bottles. The chapel came next followed by the tavern, which is said to be a reflection of Édouard’s fun-loving, sense of humour. Surrounded by lovely flower gardens, trees and a pond, it is quite a sight to see. Funky bottle tree sculptures and an extraordinary wood carving of a woman’s face adorn the elaborate flower gardens. There is a lovely gift shop, an Acadian vegetable garden and a replica of the very lighthouse Édouard cared for as well.

The Dream Lives On

There is no doubt, this creative and industrious man, who passed before the Tavern was completed, is at peace. My guess is that Édouard’s spirit is not far. All three buildings were re-constructed from 1992-1998 due to movement and damages incurred and are still loved and admired. The dream and legacy lives on as this tranquil setting and tourist attraction sees thousands of visitors every year.

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