A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes
All Rights Reserved, 1998 / 2012, Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec
A Seigneury with 370 years of history
Located on Chemin du Roy, the first road in New France linking Montreal and Quebec City since 1734, Deschambault is on the north bank of the St. Lawrence River, and sixty kilometers southwest of Quebec City. The village presides over Lauzon Cape, overlooking the dangerous rapids that stopped Jacques Cartier in his tracks in 1535 and took Champlain by surprise in 1603. The little island of Richelieu, transformed into a fur post in 1633 by Champlain, is also within view.
At the heart of the village, the cape unites a number of magnificent nineteenth century buildings, many of which are made from the local limestone. The group includes such fine examples as the old presbytery (1818), the church (1837), the new presbytery (1872), the Salles des habitants (the Residents' Rooms) (1840) and the convent (1861). From here, a stairway descends on to the river's edge.
At the outer west end of the village (5 km), along a small river, the Chevrotière Mill, also the site of the first village, showcases an aesthetic and harmonious coupling of the small mill (1767) and the imposing large stone mill (1802), which proudly displays two rows of dormer windows.
Inhabited since 1674, the village includes several private heritage homes (historically registered and inaccessible) that are testimony to a rich and tumultuous past: the post office (260, chemin du Roy), the Capitaine Perrot House (172, chemin du Roy), the Groleau House (200, chemin du Roy) and the Nelson-Sewell House (106, chemin du Roy), and the Magasin général Paré (general store) from 1866.
Three particular inns exhibit various architectural influences: the Deschambault House is made of stone and in the French style (108 Chemin du Roy); the Veuve Groleau House is a bed and breakfast made of wood in the Quebecois style (200, Chemin du Roy), and the Chemin du Roy Inn is a wooden Victorian house that stands on the banks of the Belle-Isle River (106, rue Saint-Laurent).
Deschambault presents an exceptional collection of traditional buildings made of stone and wood within an agricultural setting that is also home to a Ministry of Agriculture research centre.
In Grondines, the other part of the village, a few kilometers westward, some beautiful traditional houses can be seen, and an Economuseum of herbakism.
Mr. Gaston Arcand, Mayor fo Deschambault-Grondines is also the Vice-President of the Association of the Most beautiful Villages of Quebec.
Deschambault-Grondines is one of the oldest villages of Quebec and joined the Association in 1998.
2013 will be an important year for us because we will celebrate our 350th year of existence. Come and enjoy the festivities !!!
