Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a village in La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality, Quebec, at the junction of the Sainte Anne river with the St Lawrence, 35 kilometres north-east of the city of Quebec. The population was 2,803 according to the Canada 2006 Census. The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is located in the village.

 

The village stands in a rolling agricultural country, with hills in the background and is a major Roman Catholic place of pilgrimage. The first church was built by sailors who would often become ship-wrecked off Ile-Oeuf on their way to Quebec City. Saint Anne is the patron saint of sailors. The church has been burnt and rebuilt over time because of war and neglect.

 

In addition to the basilica, the village contains numerous religious edifices, the chief being the Scala Santa, built in imitation of the Holy Stairs in Rome.

 

The Sainte Anne de Beaupré also has the only copy of Michelangelo's Pietà. The original is in the Vatican City.

 

The basilica is also known as a place of miracles. One of the builders of the original church, Louis Guimont, helped build the church despite having severe scoliosis and needing the aid of a crutch. When the church was complete, he was able to walk independently. Subsequent visitors to the church who have prayed have left their canes, crutches and walking aides behind as testament to their healing. The main wall when you first walk into the basilica is now completely covered with crutches. There is, however, still a wheelchair access ramp.

 

The history of the Pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

 

1658

First Church

During the construction of the church, the healing of Louis Guimond was to be the first of many favours received.

 

1661-1676

Second Church

Built of both wood and stone, this was the building located to the east, on the present site of the old cemetery.

 

1676-1876

Third Church

This stone church was a place of worship for two centuries. It was demolished in 1878. The Memorial Chapel was then constructed on the foundations of its transept.

 

1876-1922

First Basilica

Saint Anne is proclaimed patroness of the province of Québec. The same year, a fourth church, much larger than the previous ones, is opened for worship. The Basilica is destroyed by fire on March 29, 1922.

 

1923

The Present Basilica

Cardinal Maurice Roy consecrated the present Basilica on July 4, 1976

 

I can't remember if I ever posted these before or not. If I did, my bad!

Interesting history, and a quaint-looking village.

Quebec is not Canada ;).

Quebec is not Canada ;).

 

Silence!!!!!! You sound like a PQ Man! Quebec est le Canada!!! LOL

What happened to the church's surroundings?

What do you mean??

^^It's a rural community, man.

 

I don't think they had some massive teardown or anything.

Quebec is not Canada ;).

 

Silence!!!!!! You sound like a PQ Man! Quebec est le Canada!!! LOL

 

well, it's a little more than than just that issue. to a one my 'real' french friends who have lived in the states describe quebecois as "french hillbillies."  :laugh:

 

Quebec is not Canada ;).

 

Silence!!!!!! You sound like a PQ Man! Quebec est le Canada!!! LOL

 

well, it's a little more than than just that issue. to a one my 'real' french friends who have lived in the states describe quebecois as "french hillbillies." :laugh:

 

 

Yeah, my ex is a French Teacher and he said the same thing. The French detest the way the Quebecois mutilate the French Language. Basically, as you said, they consider Quebec to be the the West Virgina of Canada! lol But on a personal note, I LOVED living in Quebec! 

Quebec is not Canada ;).

 

Silence!!!!!! You sound like a PQ Man! Quebec est le Canada!!! LOL

 

well, it's a little more than than just that issue. to a one my 'real' french friends who have lived in the states describe quebecois as "french hillbillies." :laugh:

 

 

Yeah, my ex is a French Teacher and he said the same thing. The French detest the way the Quebecois mutilate the French Language. Basically, as you said, they consider Quebec to be the the West Virgina of Canada! lol But on a personal note, I LOVED living in Quebec!

 

well, it's a little more than than just that issue. to a one my 'real' french friends who have lived in the states describe quebecois as "french hillbillies." :laugh:

 

 

This is my first post and I don't want to raise anyone's ire, but living in Quebec, I take offense to saying that Québécois mutiliate the French language anymore than Americans or Australians mutilate English to a British person.  It's all subjective and they're simply variations of the language...no better, no worse.

 

As for Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, it's an interesting little place, but one needs to continue up route 138 toward farther into Charlevoix for some incredible views

Ummm No one here said that! I was repeating what I had been told by my ex when I was staying with him in Quebec City. And yes, I'm sure we are all well aware of how Americans butcher the English Language, lord knows I go, especially when I'm around my family. lol

^^It's a rural community, man.

 

I don't think they had some massive teardown or anything.

 

Yeah, thats true, atleast to the best of my knowledge. Its a small village, surrounded by rural countryside. But it is so beautiful!

i dont know about mutilating the language, but it seems the french sure have opinions about quebec. hey, i love ya both, i'm neutral!

 

as for english, actually its the brits who mutilate english. our version of english is the majority. besides who cares what brits think, they should be glad they aren't speaking german (i bet quebec feels similarly re french opinions about them)!

I think you're right. I lived in England for two and a half years (89-91) and sometimes, it was hard to follow them. But then again, I had the same experiance when traveling through OK and was listening to the radio! I think we all butcher the langauage at some point, I know I do!!! Ohh BTW, I thought about posting my pics from Quebec City (Summer), do you guys remember if I've posted those before, because i don't! lol