A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes
120, rue Saint-Joseph,
Deschambault-Grondines,
(Québec)
418-652-8150
Tous droits réservés, 1998 / 2009, l'Association des plus beaux villages du Québec.
All Rights Reserved, 1998 / 2010, Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec
Land of the wild geese and << la Corriveau >>
to be completed...
History of our village
Located on a hillside overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, some 40 kilometres away from the Quebec City bridge and its smaller neighbor St-Michel-de-Bellechasse, Saint-Vallier is a charming village in the shade that has preserved its tranquility and old-world charm. Holiday cottages and villas have lined the river’s edge since the 1920s. The original village centre can be found at a slight distance.
Notice the Lanaudière Manor (built in 1767), the windmill (which was once run by the Sisters of Mercy), and the historical house of Dr. Côté at 350, rue Principale (all private property).
From spring to fall, the Boyer River domain serves as a migratory stopover for white geese, much to the delight of those who come to admire their spectacular take-offs amid their piercing cries. Delight in the captivating shows given by flocks of hundreds of birds, flying in V-formation, as they make their way to a seasonal destination.
The Boyer River Domain, Bellechasse's crown jewel and gateway to Saint-Vallier is not only a refuge to migrating birds, but also a place to admire all the charm and diverse beauty of the St. Lawrence and its surrounding islands.
In stark contrast to this famous bird refuge, the village is also known for the story of La Corriveau, a woman who was condemned to death in 1763 for allegedly pouring hot iron in her husband’s ear while he slept. Legend has that she murdered not only her husband but six other people as well. In 1848, two gravediggers discovered her body, locked in an iron cage in which she was hung from a pole to die at Lévis-Lauzon Point.
Strolling through the village, give in to the wafting aromas of the local bakery, where artisans offer an array of wonderful breads made with nuts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fine herbs, and other ingredients. Be sure to enjoy the local Bellechasse dairy products such as goat cheese, chedder, and ice cream, as well as the regional honey and maple syrup products. There is something for every palate.
The Museum of Horse-Driven Vehicles (Le Musée des voitures à chevaux) will return you to an age where elegance rivaled speed; whether pulling winter sleds or summer barouches, horses were a great Quebec passion. Lastly, admire the handcrafted wooden boats at the Des Mères River shipyard, on the Lemieux road (Chemin Lemieux) two kilometers east of the village. Enjoy the nostalgic shipyard ambience and admire works made in the time-honoured tradition of expert craftsmanship.
