The Restaurant Madrid opened its doors over 55 years ago. Originally, known as the Moulin Rouge, it was a combination restaurant, grocery store and dance hall. Many a couple in the area met at the Moulin Saturday night dance — and often it was at the Moulin Rouge that they held their marriage reception.

After Expo 67, the Moulin Rouge fell prey to a devastating fire that left everything in ruins. The owner at the time travelled widely, and since Spain was a particularly favourite destination, he rebuilt in the Spanish style that was sweeping Quebec at that time. (You may remember the ’70s fad, when everyone had a Spanish-style sofa, chairs or table at home.)

With the construction of the highway, the Madrid became an “institution”, as many like to call it. Indeed, a special highway exit was built. The Madrid never fell under the shadow of expropriation. I still remember, as a child, how the Madrid impressed me as we drove by on our way to Drummondville. It seemed a genuine castle, complete with valiant knights and princesses awaiting rescue.

In 1987, my father, Richard Arel, and my mother, Ginette Smith, arrived at the Madrid with the hope of reviving the business, then on the brink of bankruptcy.

My brother, Christian, my sister, Marie-Josée, and I remember our father’s vow to make the Madrid the No. 1 stop on Highway 20.

To draw new customers, my father decided to display his monster trucks, unique in Canada. Within a few months, the impact was clear: business was climbing steadily. In 1994, a fellow proposed partnering with my father in a truly unusual project: he would build 100 dinosaur replicas and exhibit them across Quebec. A true visionary, my father accepted the challenge!

And so it came to be that, after travelling to various cities, the dinosaurs found their home at the Madrid, to the delight of thousands of children who come to admire them each year.

In 2002, I (Julie, the baby of the family) and my husband Daniel Paulin (a New Brunswicker) decided to take the reins of the restaurant alongside our two children, Daphnée and Étienne. Our challenge was to nurture this solid business, which is such an important partner in the economic development of the region. We’re proud of our success, and we thank you for making my father’s dream a reality, since we believe that the Madrid has indeed become the No. 1 stop on Highway 20, between Quebec City and Montreal!