In the 19th century, only a few Irish farmers lived near the lake. By 1833, about thirty Irish families, who had arrived from Connecticut in 1817, occupied the area southeast of the lake. The town’s name honours Jacques Nau de La Boissière et de Fossambault, a king’s councillor and treasurer of finances in Berry.
The town at a glance
RCMLa Jacques-Cartier
North Shorenorthwest of Québec City
Life in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac
The vibe
A lakeside resort town where homes blend into a dense forest. The population grows in summer, when seasonal residents return.
The housing
Mostly houses and cottages, including several resort buildings from the early 20th century. Some summer homes are now lived in year-round.
Nearby
Station touristique Duchesnay · Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf bike path · Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
Good to know
Fossambault borders Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier to the southwest and Shannon to the northeast. Since 1973, a water and sewer system has served most homes around the lake.
Landmarks
- Lac Saint-Joseph
- Route de Fossambault
- Chapelle Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
History
The history of Fossambault-sur-le-Lac
- 1896Resort life begins
- 1902Saint-Joseph-du-Lac chapel is built
- 1934Thomas Maher buys the lake lands
- 1949Village is incorporated
- 1974Fossambault becomes a town
The railway reached the area in 1869, and resort life began in 1896, when notary Cyprien Labrecque built a residence. Notaries, doctors and merchants from Québec City followed. The Saint-Joseph-du-Lac chapel, built entirely of wood, went up in 1902.
In 1934, businessman Thomas Maher bought land around the lake from the Consolidated Paper Corporation. He divided it into lots for vacationers and required, in the sales contracts, homes suited to the landscape.
The village of Fossambault-sur-le-Lac was incorporated on March 10, 1949, with Jules Gingras as its first mayor. The Notre-Dame-de-Liesse chapel was built in 1950, and the municipality became a town in 1974.
Frequently asked questions about Fossambault-sur-le-Lac
Where is Fossambault-sur-le-Lac?
Northwest of Québec City, in the La Jacques-Cartier RCM, around the southern part of Lac Saint-Joseph. The town borders Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Shannon and Lac-Saint-Joseph.
Where does the name Fossambault come from?
It honours Jacques Nau de La Boissière et de Fossambault, a king’s councillor and treasurer of finances in Berry, France.
What attractions are near Fossambault-sur-le-Lac?
Lac Saint-Joseph, where the Corporation nautique de Fossambault runs summer sailing, kayaking and swimming activities for young people. Nearby, Station touristique Duchesnay has hiking, cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac 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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