Revealing the forgotten artisans of religious heritage

Quebec is brimming with architectural masterpieces, particularly in its places of worship. Yet behind these sculpted vaults, colorful stained glass windows, and monumental decorations lie artisans who often remain anonymous.

In the regions of Kamouraska, Rivière-du-Loup, Témiscouata, and Les Basques, this rich religious heritage is particularly well preserved. But how can we pay tribute to these creators who work behind the scenes? How can we transform a visit to a church into a living cultural experience that captures visitors' interest?

The Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec, in collaboration with the MRCs and the City of Rivière-du-Loup, has launched the Sacrés artisans project to offer an engaging, self-guided, and accessible experience in nine churches spread across a large rural area.

An interactive journey with MySmartJourney

Thanks to our app-free platform, each church on the circuit becomes an entry point to an immersive narrative, activated simply by a QR code affixed to a sign marked “Sacrés artisans” (Sacred Artisans).

Visitors can:

scan the code with their phone, without installing anything,

discover digital content tailored to the location: videos, old photos, information sheets on the artisans, and explanations of the techniques used,

navigate at their own pace, in any order they wish, from one site to another.

This lightweight and agile system offers a rich experience without a guide, adapts content to each church according to its specific heritage, and engages both local audiences and tourists by focusing on curiosity, history, and aesthetics.