A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes
All Rights Reserved, 1998 / 2012, Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec
At the heart of a crater, a spectacular panorama
LES ÉBOULEMENTS / SAINT-JOSEPH-DE-LA-RIVE
History of our village
The village of Les Éboulements offers visitors one of the most beautiful panoramic views in all Quebec. Overlooking the Saint-Lawrence River from a height of 200 metres, set your eyes on a magnificent mountainside landscape dotted here and there with historical structures.
The view is a sweeping panorama of capes jutting out of the Petite-Rivière-Saint-François River, Saint-Paul Bay to the west, the massive Appalachian Mountains on the southern bank, the island of Île-aux-Coudres (Hazelnut island) peeking out from the river below, the cape of Cap-aux-Oies to the east, and Mount des Éboulements, which can be seen just behind the village.
Three hundred and fifty million years ago, a 15-billion-ton meteorite landed behind the village, leaving a crater 100 kilometres in length. The point of impact can still be seen, near Mount des Éboulements (Mont des Éboulements), the pointed mountain, visible from behind the village.
Les Éboulements is an agricultural village, and takes its name from a series of landslides (éboulements) that resulted from a large earthquake in February 1663. In 1710, the seigneury was granted to Pierre Tremblay, who built the first manor next to the river, though today the building no longer exists. Beginning in 1724, wood tar was produced from pinewood, and in 1790, Seigneur Tremblay built the seigneurial mill himself, called the Moulin banal.
Take a tour of this building, which stands on a magnificent site, located at the top of a 30-metre waterfall, very close to the main street (rue Principale). You can watch grain being ground into flour, and see the original wood and stone machinery on display. A quaint little processional chapel from Quebec City was later added to the village architecture.
Beside it, the former siegneurial manor that once belonged to the Brothers of Sacred-Heart (Frères du Sacré-Cœur), now serves as a holiday campground open to the public. Hiking trails lead to the waterfall, and offer information signs along the way.
Following a controversy with the townspeople of the neighboring village, St-Joseph-de-la-Rive, which housed the parish church, a new church was built in 1804. In 1932, this church was re-built, and in 1957, a fire destroyed a section of the village, along with many homes and the convent of the Franciscan nuns.
Les Éboulements is a much loved home to artists, and their workshops, studios, and galleries. The Art Gallery of Living Heritage (Galerie d’art du Patrimoine vivant) displays and re-enacts Quebec folklore with songs, storytelling, legends, music, and more. Stop by the old forge of blacksmith Arthur Tremblay, located across from the inn, L’Auberge Surouêt.
At the edge of the village, Éboulemontaise Farm (la Ferme Éboulemontaise) welcomes visitors to see how their sheep are raised and their organic vegetables grown. You can also hike down the panoramic 3-kilometre trail path, all the way to the river. Other farms also sell many of the local crafts and products found in the village.
At the east end of the village, a small road leads to the river, towards the small bay of Cap-aux-Oies, where you can relax on the calm and quiet beach and watch the sealiners glide gently across the Saint-Lawrence.
Back in the village of les Éboulements, one road leads all the way to Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, another one of Quebec’s Most Beautiful Villages. From there, you can take a ferry to Île-aux-Coudres, only a few minutes away.
If you like mountain scenery, you will find what you are looking for!
If you like to watch the sun playing with the surface of the river, you will be enchanted with the spectacle you will find right in front of your eyes!
If you are looking for a convivial sojourn in a rural village, we can assure you of a warm welcome !
Monsieur Bertrand Bouchard,
Mayor, Les Éboulements
