French settlement began with the creation of the seigneury of Beaupré in 1636. Olivier Le Tardif granted the first lots to settlers, and the Catholic mission was founded in 1640. The three Gagnon brothers, ancestors of the Gagnons of North America, settled here around the same time.
The town at a glance
RCMLa Côte-de-Beaupré
Côte-de-Beauprénortheast of Québec City
Life in Château-Richer
The vibe
A town stretched along the river, with a village core around the church and the old convent. In the backcountry, the Concessions live from forestry, cottage life, horseback riding and dog sledding.
The housing
Older homes along Avenue Royale, more built-up areas such as Sault-à-la-Puce, and rural properties along the backcountry roads.
Nearby
Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré · Véloroute Marie-Hélène-Prémont · Espace culturel Richard-Verreau
Good to know
Avenue Royale and Route 138 lead to Québec City through L’Ange-Gardien and Boischatel. The PLUmobile transit service runs on the Côte-de-Beaupré Monday to Friday.
Landmarks
- Avenue Royale
- Église de La Visitation-de-Notre-Dame
- Moulin du Petit-Pré
History
The history of Château-Richer
- 1640Catholic mission is founded
- 1678Parish canonically established
- 1694First convent, ordered by Bishop de Laval
- 1866Current church built
- 1968Château-Richer becomes a town
The name Château-Richer appears on a map by the surveyor Jean Bourdon in the early 1640s. It then referred to the promontory where the church stands, and its origin remains unclear. The first resident priest arrived in 1661, and the parish of La Visitation-de-Notre-Dame was canonically erected on October 30, 1678.
From the 1660s, the bailiwick of Beaupré, a seigneurial court, sat in Château-Richer. In 1694, Bishop de Laval had a first convent built to educate girls, run by the Congrégation de Notre-Dame. The Petit-Pré water mill, built in the late 17th century for the Séminaire de Québec, is one of the oldest commercial flour mills in North America.
Around 1840, Irish Catholics settled in the backcountry, known as the Concessions, but the poor soil drove them away. French-Canadian families replaced them the following decade. The current church was built in 1866 and the old convent in 1907, and Château-Richer became a town in 1968.
Frequently asked questions about Château-Richer
Where is Château-Richer?
On the Côte-de-Beaupré, east of Québec City, between L’Ange-Gardien and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. It is the seat of the La Côte-de-Beaupré regional county municipality.
Where does the name Château-Richer come from?
Its origin is uncertain. The name appears on a map by Jean Bourdon in the early 1640s and referred to the promontory where the church stands. The Commission de toponymie considers the legends about a man named Richer who called his hut a castle to be fanciful.
What is there to see in Château-Richer?
Avenue Royale and its old houses, the Église de La Visitation-de-Notre-Dame and the Petit-Pré water mill. The Chapelle Gravel, built in 1941, is also on Avenue Royale.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Château-Richer?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Château-Richer 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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