A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes

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

Cap-Santé stands proudly overlooking the northern bank of the Saint Lawrence River, forty kilometres west of Quebec City. Legend has it that this community’s name was coined when soldiers suffering from an unknown disease miraculously recovered from a cure discovered in the village.

The first settlers arrived around 1679, and in 1714 the village became an official parish. The present-day church, a historical-registered building, was built from 1754 to 1767. Interrupted during construction by the Seven Years’ War (1756-63), it is one of the last buildings to be constructed under French regime. Tours are available upon request. The church is a magnificent showcase comprised of an imposing façade and two tours, a baroque interior, a neoclassical reredos, and two-tiers of openings on the bell tower, as well as a presbytery (designed by architect Charles Baillargé in 1849) featuring five neatly lined dormer windows. A cemetery encircles the expansive square, leading to the river below.

From the square, which is crowned with old wells dating back to 1799, follow along to reach Vieux Chemin street. This historical and commemorative street was built along the same geographical line as that Chemin-du-Roy¸ the first road linking Montreal and Quebec City in the 18th century. Wooden and stone homes dot the narrow and shaded street that borders the cape, displaying its unique charm, particularly in the fall season, when the gold and red colours of autumn shimmer in the sunlight. Don’t miss the chance to plan a leisurely walk along this street, which was designated as one of Canada’s most beautiful streets by the national newspaper, the Globe and Mail. Many inns and hotels can also be found here.

From the church square (Place de l’Église) stroll down to the quay, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Saint Lawrence (which bends and narrows at this point) and of Pointe-Platon cape, on the opposite bank.

In 1759, during the English conquest, the horseman of Lévis built Fort Jacques Cartier at the mouth of the Saint-Lawrence (also named after the famous explorer) from materials originally destined for construction of a church. The following year, in the same place, Lévis attempted unsuccessfully together with 7000 men to recapture Quebec City from the English. Today, virtually nothing remains of the fort, which is also no longer open to the public. Close by, Allsopp House (late 18th century), once a seigneurial manor, is now a registered historical building and private property.

The Jacques-Cartier River runs down the Laurentian Mountains, from Jacques Cartier Lake to Cap Santé, meandering through Jacques Cartier Park. For years now, a fishway built in the river allows the annual schools of Atlantic salmon to swim against the current, ending their pilgrimage far upstream, where they reproduce. During season, visit the fishway and the interpretation centre at the river’s mouth, located at the west end of the highway 138 bridge. Blue signs direct you to the entrance from highway 138 and highway 40.

Discover the ancestral charm of a famous road,

the Vieux-Chemin

Jean-Yves Nobert,

Mayor of Cap-Santé

You are personnaly invited to visit our village with its world known old Chemin-du-Roy for the exceptional conservation of 18th century patrimony and local flavor.

Feel at home in Cap-Santé !!!