A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes

All Rights Reserved, 1998 / 2012, Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec

In 1974, the village of Sainte-Théodosie changed its name to Calixa-Lavallée in honor of the musician, born here in 1842, who composed the music of Canada’s national anthem and pursued a remarkable career in the United States and Paris (in addition to composing, he played the piano, organ, violin and cornet)

Situated on the rich agricultural plain downstream from Montréal, set back from the St. Lawrence River and near the Richelieu River, Calixa-Lavallée is a highly representative example of land occupation developed under the seigneurial regime prevailing in Quebec from the 17th century to the mid-1800s. Concessions granted by the seigneur are grouped along Rang de la Beauce, taking the form of long, narrow rectangles of contiguous lots oriented perpendicularly to the St. Lawrence on a southwest-northeast axis. The relatively flat land surrounding the village is admirably suited to cycling tourism.

The dwellings along Chemin du Roy form a concentration, exceptional in Quebec, of remarkably well conserved stone houses dating from the 18th century. Calixa-Lavallée also boasts several old farming ensembles of great interest, not only groups of buildings and dependencies but also access roads, tree rows and other elements that testify to traditional know-how and structure the countryside in a unique manner. The parish block established in the 1880s constitutes an important hub around which all social life was structured.

Calixa Paquet dit Lavallée, who composed Canada’s national anthem around 1880, was born on Rang de la Beauce in 1842. Only in 1878 did the municipality of the parish of Sainte-Théodosie separate from the Saint-François-Xavier de Verchères parish. In 1946, it changed its name to the municipality of Sainte-Théodosie-Calixa-Lavallée parish and then in 1974, it became Calixa-Lavallée. Today, about 500 native-born and new residents live in this farming village.

François-Xavier Jarret came to Quebec with the Carignan–Salières regiment in 1665. When his regiment was recalled to France in 1699, the intendant Jean Talon offered land to those who wished to settle in Canada. So François-Xavier Jarret became the Sieur de Verchères in 1672. With his wife Marie Perrot, he went to work with tenant farmers (censitaires) he had already recruited.

A few years later, he received a new concession behind the first, extending his domain from the shores of the St. Lawrence to the Richelieu. At the time of the 1681 official census, twelve families had settled on Verchères seigneury and more than 100 arpents were under cultivation.

Heritage assets of the village include the Sainte-Théodosie stone church built between 1888 and 1890 by the architect Victor Roy. An organ by Odilon Jacques was installed here in 1943. Calixa-Lavallée residents and visitors can admire roadside crosses and ancestral homes. Cyclists can visit an apple grower or pick their own blueberries and finish their route at the cheese maker to taste different cheeses made from goat’s milk. In summer, the Calixa-Lavallée municipal park is a perfect place to pause and let the tranquility sink in. A commemorative plaque was placed here on the remains of the foundation of the house in which Calixa Lavallée was born.

Public toilets and picnic tables are available in Arthur-Bouvier park.

An astonishing concentration of old stone houses

Our village is close by the greater Montreal area, just 25 minutes from downtown. It is an agricultural village offering the serene and bucolic environment one would not expect  in the vicinity of a metropolis.

Agriculture, equestrian farms, cycling and walking for your pure enjoyment.

We are proud of our village!

Stop by and come visit us, explore the archtectural treasure we strive to keep for you to enjoy...

Claude Jutras,

maire de Calixa-Lavallée