Ile d'Orleans Attractions
|
|
A few kilometers downstream from Québec the Île d'Orléans splits the St Lawrence waterway into two. 35 km (22 mi.) long and 9 km (6 mi.) wide the island has kept its rural character almost intact.
St-Francois, Canada
The parish of St-François occupies the north-east tip of the island, from where the much smaller Île Madame and Île-aux-Réaux are plainly visible lying a little way offshore. In 1759 the village church, built in 1734, was used as a hospital for the wounded. The church was damaged by fire in 1988. There are fine carvings to admire in the interior.
St-Jean, Canada
Further to the north-east of Île d'Orléans stands the village of St-Jean, its church dating from 1732. The village's major attraction however is the Manoir Mauvide-Genest, a 1735 manor house complete with valuable period furniture.The history of St-Jean includes a long tradition of boat production.
Ste-Famille, Canada
Ste-Famille, on the north-west side, is almost certainly the oldest European settlement on the island of Île d'Orléans.Largely a farming community, Ste-Famille maintains a large number of old stone houses.
Ste-Petrolime, Canada
In the early days of French colonization Huron Indians, converted to Christianity by Jesuit missionaries, established a retreat on the island of Île d'Orléans, building a chapel at the south-western end in 1651. It was from here that the island was settled by French colonists.
St-Laurent d'Orleans, Canada
St-Laurent, on the east side of Île d'Orléans, was founded in 1675, though the present church dates only from 1862. This is where General Wolfe came ashore in 1759 to set up his headquarters.
St-Pierre, Canada
On the way back to the mainland from Île d'Orléans, the road passes through the village of St-Pierre. The church was built in 1717. Wood carvings by the artist Vézina on the altar and pulpit also date from the 18th c.
