In 1891, Hugh (Huguet) Landry took advantage of the arrival of the railway to build a magnificent two-story hotel opposite the Caraquet train station. He was among the first to establish himself in what could be called the hotel district in the center of the village. The hotel was then given the very European name of Hôtel Vendôme.
In 1898, Landry sold the hotel to Joseph T. Blanchard, who operated it under the name Hôtel Blanchard until his death in 1904. Octave Paulin then became the owner, and nearly 120 years later, the Hôtel Paulin is still owned by the same Paulin family. It has welcomed guests almost continuously ever since!
It’s worth noting that the hotel’s third floor was added to the building in the 1930s, before the start of the economic crisis, meaning it remained unused for nearly 75 years. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that Gérard Paulin, known locally as Nounou, undertook renovations and decided to use the third floor. He moved the hotel back about 30 meters, rebuilt its foundation, and, with the help of his cousin, architect Rodrigue Paulin, restored its original appearance with clapboard siding and a shingle roof. Furthermore, the gallery that appears in an old photograph taken at the Acadian National Convention held in Caraquet in 1905 was authentically recreated.
This hotel has been run by three generations of the Paulin family. For many years, it served as a venue for social and political gatherings, artistic performances, exhibitions (sampling rooms), and wedding receptions. The hotel also served as a family residence for its various owners.
Gérard’s wife, Karen Mersereau, was his loyal partner in recent years, and together they targeted their inn with a clientele primarily interested in cultural travel and fine cuisine. They succeeded in establishing themselves in this demanding and challenging market. The Hotel Paulin remains the oldest hotel in the municipality still in operation.