Danville, Eastern Townships

One church, many lives.

A former church, nine chapters and a story still unfolding.

The white façade and stained-glass window of Château Papillon

Since 1882

One story, nine chapters

Deep roots, an inspiring future.

188201 / 09

A church and buildings in Danville following a major fire

The great fire

In May 1882, a devastating fire destroys nearly half of Danville, severely affecting what is now rue du Carmel. The neighbourhood is rebuilt in the years that follow, opening a new chapter in the area’s history.

Around 189002 / 09

Rubble-stone foundations preserved beneath Château Papillon

The old foundations

Beneath Château Papillon, old rubble-stone foundations and substantial hand-hewn timbers remain, evidence of a building dating from the late nineteenth century. Their exact origins are still a mystery, but the building continues to rest on these old stones.

192503 / 09

Standing by their faith

When several Canadian Protestant denominations unite to form the United Church of Canada, a group of Danville Presbyterians chooses to preserve its own identity and traditions. A few years later, they build a new church.

1928–192904 / 09

Construction work at the former church in Danville

A church is reborn

Danville’s former Presbyterian church is dismantled, and its materials are reused to build the new St. Andrew’s at 79, rue du Carmel. With its crenellated tower already suggesting a small château, the building itself begins life as an act of renewal.

1929–198005 / 09

St. Andrew’s

For about fifty years, St. Andrew’s serves the Presbyterian community. Its stained-glass windows still bear symbols of this Scottish and Presbyterian heritage, including the burning bush. In 1980, the building’s religious use comes to an end.

1980–198706 / 09

The former church façade before its transformation

The first period of abandonment

For nearly seven years, the former church remains for sale, and several of its stained-glass windows deteriorate. In 1987, Patrick and Martine Satre see the possibility of a new life for the neglected building.

1987–202107 / 09

Le Temps des Cerises

Patrick and Martine Satre restore the church and several of its stained-glass windows. On September 18, 1987, it becomes Le Temps des Cerises restaurant. For almost 34 years, this new purpose brings the former St. Andrew’s back to life, until the restaurant closes in 2021.

2021–202408 / 09

The building before the Château Papillon restoration

The second period of abandonment

Vacant once more, the building deteriorates rapidly. Leaks, water damage and structural problems now threaten its survival. In August 2024, Geneviève Beauregard purchases the former church and begins extensive work to save it.

202609 / 09

Château Papillon

After nearly two years of restoration and structural work, including the creation or restoration of around forty stained-glass windows, the former church begins another transformation. On September 4, 2026, Château Papillon welcomes its first open-house visitors. Stays begin on September 11 in L’Aurore and Le Crépuscule; the other two apartments will open later. After fire, faith, reinvention and two periods of abandonment, the building comes to life once more…

Four apartments. A church saved. More than a century of history, still unfolding.

Soft light filtering through the Château’s stained-glass windows

An inspiring heritage

Every detail at Château Papillon tells a story.

Colourful stained glass, stone walls, original mouldings and traces of the past. We believe a place’s beauty lies in its authenticity and in the stories that continue to unfold within it.

Preserve the past, enrich the present and create places where life takes flight.

Photographs of the Château

Step inside and take a look around.

A photographic tour of the spaces, details and garden at Château Papillon. All photographs show the property as it is today.

The setting

Architecture worth a closer look.

Stained glass, an ornate staircase, cathedral ceilings and shifting light: discover the Château as it is experienced every day.

The white façade of Château Papillon — The white façade

The main entrance to Château Papillon — The Château entrance

The Château Papillon entrance opening onto the vestibule — The threshold between indoors and out

View 8 more photographs

The Château Papillon vestibule with its chequered floor — The chequered vestibule

A large open space with a spiral staircase — The main hall

The white staircase seen through an archway at the Château — The staircase beneath the arches

The ornate staircase at Château Papillon — Staircase details

A view down over the staircase and kitchen — The view from the mezzanine

The large, colourful stained-glass windows at Château Papillon — The grand stained-glass windows

The staircase and stained-glass windows in daylight — Light on the stairs

The Château’s stained-glass windows lit at dusk — Stained glass at dusk

Life at the Château

The kitchen and living room, at the heart of the home.

Generous spaces to cook, share a drink, read by the stained-glass windows or simply let the day unfold.

The Château’s open-plan kitchen and white staircase — The kitchen opening onto the hall

A kitchen island in front of stained-glass windows — The island beneath the stained glass

A marble kitchen island and deep green cabinets — The large kitchen island

View 11 more photographs

The fully equipped kitchen at Château Papillon — The Château kitchen

The Château kitchen with a menu on the island — Time to enjoy cooking

A white range beneath a sculptural hood — The range and hood

A detail of the range and countertop — Kitchen details

A kitchen shelf with glasses and dishes — The bar shelf

A coffee station with jars of treats — The coffee corner

Velvet seating in front of stained-glass windows — The living room by the stained glass

A living room with a television and glass door — An evening in the living room

A bright living room with a blue coffee table — The blue living room

A blue coffee table and armchair in the living room — A corner to linger in

Flutes, sparkling wine and a sharing board on the island — An aperitif at the Château

The bedrooms

Two bedrooms, illuminated by stained glass.

L’Aurore and Le Crépuscule each have two bedrooms with views of the stained-glass windows and two king-size beds with percale cotton linens and duck-down duvets.