A network of authentic heritage villages, located in remarkable landscapes

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The white village

Gently resting of the shores of the St. Lawrence River, some 30 kilometres from the bridges of Quebec City and facing northwest, Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse is both an agricultural and holiday village, and offers some of the most beautiful views of the region.

Whether at close range or from afar, admire the succession of harmonious settings, starting with the wide river channel and its regular sea-traffic, followed by the mountainside villages of the Île d'Orléans, and off in the distance, behind the northern bend of the river, the massive Laurentian Mountains, behind which the sun sets with different beauty each day.

Founded in 1678 and first named Saint-Michel-de-la-Durantaye (after Seigneur de la Durantaye), the original village centre hosts a superb and harmonious ensemble of white wooden houses featuring coloured roofs, flower-embellished porches, neatly aligned dormer windows, and a variety of beautiful decorative pieces, such as neo-classical porches and decks accented with carved handrails.

A lovely grouping of the village's major buildings, such as the presbytery of 1739 (one of the oldest in North America), decorate centre town. Also visit the processional chapel and its altar, which date back to the eighteenth century, as well as the small sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (1879) on the promontory located in the small shaded park alongside the river.

Quiet side roads off the main street (rue principale) lead to the yachting port where you can follow the small sailboats coming and going to the rhythm of the tides, and at a distance, the large sea-liners. From here, stroll along sandy beach and admire the undulating panoramic views to the sound of the waves breaking at your feet as they sweep in with the ocean wind. Savour the pleasure of daybreak in the company of friends.

History of our village

Mrs. Suzanne Côté, mayor of Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of the most Beautiful Villages of Quebec.