In 1541, Jacques Cartier, sent by King François I, established the colony of Charlesbourg-Royal at the mouth of the rivière du Cap Rouge. The colonists built two forts, but winter, scurvy and tensions with Indigenous peoples weakened them. Roberval took over in 1542 and named the colony France-Roy, but the site was abandoned in 1543. Archaeological digs begun in 2006 confirmed that these forts existed.
The neighbourhood at a glance
BoroughSainte-Foy–Sillery–Cap-Rouge
West Québec Cityat the mouth of the rivière du Cap Rouge
Life in Cap-Rouge
The vibe
A former village on the river, surrounded by residential areas on the plateaus and many parks.
The housing
Mostly single-family houses, with a few apartment buildings and older homes in Vieux-Cap-Rouge.
Nearby
Parc de la Plage-Jacques-Cartier · Pointe-de-Sainte-Foy · Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
Good to know
The neighbourhood stretches from the river up to the Félix-Leclerc highway: check your commute to work or school depending on the area.
Landmarks
- Cap-Rouge Trestle
- Parc nautique de Cap-Rouge
- Rue de la Promenade-des-Sœurs
History
The history of Cap-Rouge
- 1541Cartier’s colony at Cap-Rouge
- 1862The Saint-Félix parish is established
- 1872Saint-Félix-du-Cap-Rouge is created
- 1913The trestle enters service
- 2002Merged into Québec City
A first seigneury was granted here in 1635, then revoked the following year. Around 1638, Jesuit Paul Le Jeune noted a few families in the valley: this is the first mention of the name Cap-Rouge. Between 1647 and 1652, the seigneuries of Maur and Gaudarville were established, and tenant farmers settled the land. The Feeney house, still standing, dates from 1722.
In the early 19th century, a pottery, a forge, a brickworks and the timber trade fuelled growth. In 1859, residents obtained a chapel, named Saint-Félix in honour of vicar general Charles-Félix Cazeau. The parish was established in 1862, and the church was completed in 1864. In 1872, the parish municipality of Saint-Félix-du-Cap-Rouge was created, with Joseph Bell Forsyth as its first mayor.
Construction of the trestle began in 1906, and the viaduct entered service in 1913. The Cap-Rouge golf course was built in 1958, and the municipality became the town of Cap-Rouge in 1983. On January 1, 2002, it was merged into the new Québec City. First part of the Laurentien borough, the neighbourhood joined the Sainte-Foy–Sillery–Cap-Rouge borough in 2009.
Frequently asked questions about Cap-Rouge
Where is Cap-Rouge?
In the west of Québec City, in the Sainte-Foy–Sillery–Cap-Rouge borough. The neighbourhood stretches from the St. Lawrence River in the south up to the Félix-Leclerc highway in the north.
Where does the name Cap-Rouge come from?
From the reddish shale headland at the mouth of the rivière du Cap Rouge. The name was first mentioned around 1638.
What is the Cap-Rouge trestle?
A railway trestle viaduct that spans the rivière du Cap Rouge valley. Construction began in 1906, it entered service in 1913 and it is still used by Canadian National.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Cap-Rouge?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Cap-Rouge will soon be listed on the site, along with the online rental application. In the meantime, Cléo can notify you as soon as a unit is posted.
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