The Filion family, aka The Immersia Gang

My Side of Laval
by Tourisme Laval

From the barbershop to local restaurants, the public market, the neighborhood microbrewery, and exciting activities, discover the favorite spots of proud Laval residents who love their suburb.

Take a leap into their world and explore their "Laval side" through reading and video.

Hidden treasures, discoveries—are you ready to explore Laval?

The Filion family consists of four cousins and their spouses, all proud Laval residents and escape room enthusiasts. In the fall of 2016, they founded Immersia, a family business that offers immersive gaming experiences.

The Filion clan... tell me about yourselves?
You could definitely call us a clan, because we're very close-knit! Let me introduce us. First, there's me, Roseline Filion, head of social media and public relations at Immersia, but better known as a two-time Olympic diving medalist: my brother Maxime, who handles marketing; my cousin Marilyn, who handles operations; her partner Stéphane Gilbert, who handles artistic direction; my other cousin Roxane, who handles finances, but is also a singer and backup singer on the show En direct de l'univers; and her partner Stéphan Côté, who handles technology development, but is better known as an actor on the show District 31, among others.

We are also passionate about escape rooms. We have taken part in over a hundred escape rooms around the world and continue to do so purely for fun!

What is your hidden gem in Laval?
The Oregon Wine Bar restaurant. It really is a hidden gem, because it's located, or rather tucked away, in a small shopping center on Curé-Labelle Boulevard, at the entrance to Sainte-Rose. It's a real discovery (made by Marilyn, who lives just a stone's throw from the restaurant). A small neighborhood bistro that literally rivals the most "in" restaurants in Montreal.

The atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back, and the owners are young and genuinely curious, enjoying introducing us to new seasonal dishes and wines. In fact, the name Oregon is no coincidence. It refers to the important wine-growing region located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Needless to say, their wine list is incredible!

Forour brainstorming sessions. This is where wegather, over a good bottle of wine (and good food, of course!), to think and develop our scenarios. The place is conducive to creativity. The "rich manor" style decor inspires us.

We love coming here because the menu is well thought out and there's something for everyone. It strikes the perfect balance between comfort food and sophistication. The cuisine is precise and elaborate, yet simple at the same time. What's more, you can share the dishes. Perfect for a group like us!

It's really a small neighborhood restaurant, just the way we like them. It feels like being on the Plateau-Mont-Royal, but with parking! Unfortunately, with our busy schedules, we don't get to come often enough!

If you had to describe Oregon to someone, what would you say?
Don't be fooled by its exterior! You'll discover a unique restaurant inside.

If you had to describe Laval to a stranger in a few words, what would you say?
We grew up here. It's our home. Come on, you're invited! You'll see, Laval is family-friendly, friendly, has the advantage of large green spaces, and is also Montreal's cool and trendy little sister... with free parking!

Some highlights:

• Oregon offers sulfite-free wines... goodbye to hangovers!
• Roseline loves escape games so much that the day after her last competition at the Rio Olympics, she went to Escape 60, an escape game located a 20-minute walk from the pool.
• One of the Filion family's favorite dishes in Oregon is salt cod risotto.