A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes
All Rights Reserved, 1998 / 2012, Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec
The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec was founded in 1997 by Mr. Jean-Marie Girardville, on the basis of the french model of l'Association des plus beaux villages de France. Following a working comittee, the association was incorporated in august 1998. It counts 36 villages in 13 regions in 2008.
The association defines itself as a network of rural municipalities, each encompassing one or several villages or hamlets within Quebec, which have preserved their geographic, historic and cultural characteristics, and display a harmonious authenticity of natural, human and architectural heritage to form an exceptional landscape.
An international Association of the Most beautiful villages of the world was founded in 2003, including, France, Italy and Wallony region (Belgium).
The Association's Cultural Objectives
- To preserve and promote the history, the architectural heritage and the quality of the landscapes in the rural municipalities of Quebec.
- To promote the members’ network within the tourist industry, encouraging economic development and a stable population in rural areas.
- To instil a sense of pride and belonging among its members, and to evoke this sense in non-members.
- To stimulate the exchange of technical, financial, regulatory and administrative information and procedures in order to fulfill member objectives.
- To represent the interests of members before government, supramunicipal and paramunicipal organizations, or any other organization.
- To cooperate with any organization within Quebec in pursuit of similar or complementary objectives.
- To cooperate with any organization outside of Quebec in pursuit of similar or complementary objectives.
A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes
Jean-Marie Girardville,
Founding President
Yves Laframboise,
Author of essays on patrimony
