Settlement began in 1647 on the seigneuries of Saint-Ignace, to the east, and Saint-Gabriel, to the west. Hills and waterways shaped where farms were laid out, along roads that later became Rue Racine, Boulevard Bastien, Boulevard de l’Ormière and Avenue du Lac-Saint-Charles.
The borough at a glance
BoroughLa Haute-Saint-Charles
North Québec Cityupstream on the Saint-Charles River
Life in La Haute-Saint-Charles
The vibe
A wooded, family-oriented area at the foot of the Laurentians. Most neighbourhoods are close to parks, rivers and trails.
The housing
Bungalows from the 1950s onward, older houses along the original roads and a denser core in Loretteville, with mansard-roof and Boomtown-style homes.
Nearby
Réserve naturelle des Marais-du-Nord · Mont Bélair · Wendake
Good to know
Public transit is provided by the Réseau de transport de la Capitale. The area is large, so check your commute before visiting a unit.
Landmarks
- Lac Saint-Charles
- Parc de la chute Kabir Kouba
- Boulevard Pie-XI
History
The history of La Haute-Saint-Charles
- 1647Settlement of the seigneuries begins
- 1854First water main to Québec City
- 1949Water tower is built
- 2002Borough is created
- 2009Val-Bélair joins the borough
Around Lac-Saint-Charles and Saint-Émile, poor soil held back farming. The parish of Saint-Ambroise-de-la-Jeune-Lorette became the town of Loretteville, the area’s commercial and institutional centre. Leatherwork, influenced by nearby Wendake, and water power from the Kabir Kouba falls gave rise to small industries.
Around 1850, the railway made the area easier to reach and it drew summer visitors. Cottages spread, notably at Château-d’Eau, created in 1926 and joined to Loretteville in 1965. The first drinking-water main to Québec City, drawn from the Saint-Charles River, was laid in 1854, and the current water tower was built in 1949.
The borough was created in 2002 during the municipal mergers. It brought together Loretteville, Lac-Saint-Charles, Saint-Émile and northern Neufchâtel. On November 1, 2009, Val-Bélair, previously part of the Laurentien borough, was added.
Frequently asked questions about La Haute-Saint-Charles
Which neighbourhoods are in La Haute-Saint-Charles?
The borough has five neighbourhoods: Loretteville, Val-Bélair, Lac-Saint-Charles, Saint-Émile and Des Châtels.
Where does the name La Haute-Saint-Charles come from?
The name reflects the borough’s location in the upper watershed of the Saint-Charles River, where Lac Saint-Charles is found.
Which parks can you visit in La Haute-Saint-Charles?
The Parc de la Falaise et de la chute Kabir Kouba, the Réserve naturelle des Marais-du-Nord, the Saint-Charles River linear park and the Mont Bélair nature park in Val-Bélair.
How do I find an apartment for rent in La Haute-Saint-Charles?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in La Haute-Saint-Charles 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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