Mathieu Courtemanche, also known as Les Barbares

My Laval
by Tourisme Laval

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

Take a trip into their world and explore—through reading and video—their “Laval side.”

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

Mathieu Courtemanche has more than 15 years of experience in the world of hairdressing and barbering. A proud resident of Laval, he had the opportunity to travel to Europe to train with the best in the world, “the Schorem barbers.” Today, he is the owner of Les Barbares, a company that already operates five salons in Quebec and offers a product line called Laurier Montréal.

Credit: Dominic Renzetti

Tell me about yourself
First and foremost, I’m a passionate and determined barber. I opened Les Barbares five years ago in the Sainte-Rose neighborhood, and I recently launched my own line of hair care products.

What’s your hidden gem in Laval?
Le Boating Club: a friendly and lively restaurant located in Sainte-Rose. As soon as you walk through the doors, you feel right at home. You can really feel the owners’ passion and energy. It’s a warm and welcoming place where you get a truly memorable experience… and not just when it comes to the food. People come here to have a good time, whether with family, friends, or a romantic partner.

Would you say you’re a “regular here”?
When the restaurant first opened, I was here every night. These days, unfortunately, I don’t come as often as I’d like because I work way too much!

My mom and I come here for Sunday brunch—it’s a must. And sometimes, after work, I wrap up the day here with my coworkers and friends. That’s one of the great things about the Boating Club: it brings people of all ages together under one roof.

Why do you keep coming back to the Boating Club?
It’s simply comforting. It feels like I’m at an all-you-can-eat culinary resort. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and always smiling. The plating is mind-blowing, the service is impeccable, and the wine selection is incredible. What more can I say?

Tell me about the owners
When I celebrated the official opening of the first Barbares, located just a stone’s throw from here, there were 150 people in attendance, and the folks from the Boating Club—including Gary Sousa and Francis Lorrain, to name just a few—were the first to help us out by lending us, among other things, their parking lot to accommodate all those guests. The connection was instant. I felt like I was with longtime friends. They’re just perfect!

If you had to describe your hidden gem to someone, what would you say?
It’s my absolute favorite. People come here for the experience, but also for the staff. The employees are proud of the place’s reputation and go out of their way to ensure guests have a unique experience.

If you had to describe Laval to a visitor in just a few words, what would you say?
It’s my “hood.” It’s all about balance and comfort. Laval has all the best qualities of a big city, but without the pressure, stress, and crowds. And the Sainte-Rose neighborhood is kind of like our own Plateau Mont-Royal, with the energy of young entrepreneurs buzzing all around. 

Some highlights:

• What Mathieu Eats at the Boating Club: Homemade Gnocchi
• His favorite cocktail: a Tom Collins
• He has styled the world's biggest stars at festivals such as Osheaga and the Montreal F1 Grand Prix
• He offers personalized training sessions at the salon