Marie-Louise Allard was born in Nova Scotia. Her parents, who came from Carleton in the Gaspé, settled in Pictou, where her father worked as an interpreter in the mines.

When Marie-Louise (Minnie) was three, the Allard family moved to Pokemouche.

Marie-Louise went to school at the convent in Caraquet, after which she attended the Normal School in Fredericton. After graduation she taught for a few years. However, she made a name for herself not through her brief teaching career, but rather through her skill as a weaver and entrepreneur. Marie-Louise gave other craftspeople of her day, who used traditional techniques, an opportunity to show and sell their wares.

In 1894 Marie-Louise married Joseph Blanchard. The couple had six children.

Marie-Louise Allard-Blanchard was one of the first Acadian women to go into business. She set up a weaving venture that became very successful.

Marie-Louise opened her first workshop in the old Fruing Company building in Caraquet, planning to produce handicrafts on a commercial basis. She was joined by other local women. There were eight looms for weaving wool and linen, and they also hooked rugs. Marie-Louise enlisted the help of her sons to mechanize two looms and design different patterns. She also farmed out work to women who had their own looms.

The hooked rugs made in her workshop were very popular. A rug bearing the likeness of the "Indian" Chief Pontiac was commissioned by the plant that manufactured Pontiac cars in Detroit, USA. General Motors also commissioned a rug.

Marie-Louise was an expert in her field. She grew her own flax and took samples to the various exhibitions. On several occasions, she was invited to show her woven creations at major national and international exhibitions in Toronto, Boston, and New York.