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Pabos Mills, April 4, 2025 – The Corporation du Bourg de Pabos is entering a new era by unveiling its new brand identity: Espace NAPAGA. During an inaugural event held at the heart of the Pabos archaeological site, attended by numerous partners and local stakeholders, the Board of Directors revealed this transformation, which highlights the museum institution’s distinctive strengths: a living archaeology, in its original natural setting, in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula.

More than just a name change, Espace NAPAGA represents a decisive evolution. This new identity reflects a renewed commitment to immersive, accessible museum exploration that is deeply rooted in the region’s history and natural treasures.

Espace NAPAGA: Drawing Strength from Its Origins

Since its founding, the Parc du Bourg de Pabos has established itself as a guardian of Gaspesian heritage, combining preservation, protection, archaeological research, and site enhancement through educational activities enriched by scientific and technological depth. Espace NAPAGA is committed to carrying this mission even further, with renewed energy.

“Our desire to rethink cultural and scientific mediation, while offering broader access to historical and environmental knowledge, is reflected in the design of immersive and playful interpretive activities. We’re drawing on the site’s treasures and our team’s creativity to achieve this. The goal? To reinvent the discovery of archaeological heritage by blending history, learning, and culture, while celebrating the joy of life in Gaspésie,” explains Samuel Méthot-Laflamme, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation du Bourg de Pabos.

The result of strategic planning, this repositioning strengthens the institution’s museological and heritage mission while enhancing its appeal. “The new identity of Espace NAPAGA is a strategic step toward the future, built on the solid foundation of Parc du Bourg de Pabos,” says Mr. Méthot-Laflamme. “This repositioning will allow us to better fulfill our museological mission, reinforce our connection with the local community, and contribute significantly to the cultural and tourism appeal of Gaspésie.”

A Meaningful Name and an Inspiring Visual Identity

The name Espace NAPAGA (or simply NAPAGA)—an acronym for Nature et Archéologie à PAbos Mills en GAspésie—fully embodies this transformation. Its visual identity was carefully designed to reflect its deep roots in Gaspésie and the values that define it.

• The new logo pays tribute to the compass rose, a historical emblem of the Parc du Bourg de Pabos, reimagined as a stylized sun affectionately named the “smiling sun.” This symbol expresses the desire to explore, discover, and marvel, while also evoking the harmony between archaeology and outdoor enjoyment: exploration, curiosity, and a strong sense of place.
• The color palette draws directly from the Gaspésian landscape: deep greens, golden yellows, and shades of blue and sand that reflect the surrounding nature and the region’s wild expanses.

Espace NAPAGA: An Invitation to Explore and Be Amazed

With this new identity, Espace NAPAGA establishes itself as a unique gateway to the history and identity of Gaspésie. More than just an interpretive site, Espace NAPAGA becomes a place of transmission and reflection, inviting visitors to experience the history of Gaspésie in a new way, offering a fresh perspective on the past to better understand the present and imagine the future.

“Espace NAPAGA comes to life today, a moment we embrace with great pride. Our new identity expresses our ongoing commitment to connecting visitors with the fascinating history of our region through the innovative display of the thousands of artifacts unearthed at the archaeological site during the excavations of the 1980s. Each visit is an invitation to explore the deep roots of the region, marvel at its natural richness, and raise awareness of the importance of preserving these invaluable heritage treasures. We look forward to continuing to welcome all those who wish to discover the beating heart of Gaspésie through our exhibitions, which focus on immersive interpretation and accessibility,” said Executive Director Elsa Pépin, who coordinated the project in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

About Espace NAPAGA | espacenapaga.com

Espace NAPAGA, formerly known as the Parc du Bourg de Pabos, is an accredited museum institution dedicated to the protection, study, and interpretation of the Pabos archaeological site, one of the most significant commercial fishing establishments in New France. To date, more than 18,500 artifacts have been uncovered at this site, offering a unique glimpse into the daily life of the inhabitants of the Gaspé coast up until the Conquest.

A true outdoor archaeology museum, Espace NAPAGA is a vibrant place where history, culture, and nature intersect. By highlighting the relationship between humans and their environment, it inspires collective awareness and a commitment to territorial conservation. Espace NAPAGA invites everyone to explore, understand, and form a lasting connection with the history of Quebec, through Gaspésie, nature, and time.