The first settlement efforts in the area are thought to date back to around 1769. On April 15, 1867, the Archbishop of Québec, Charles-François Baillargeon, founded the parish of Sainte-Jeanne-de-Neuville. It was formed from parts of Cap-Santé, Saint-Basile and Neuville.
The town at a glance
RCMPortneuf
Portneufnorth of Donnacona
Life in Pont-Rouge
The vibe
A growing town between river and countryside, with a village feel and Québec City within reach.
The housing
Mostly single-family and semi-detached homes, with duplexes and a few apartment buildings near the centre.
Nearby
Rivière aux Pommes · Rue Dupont · Donnacona
Good to know
Pont-Rouge borders Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, which makes trips to Québec City easier. A car is the most practical way to get around.
Landmarks
- Moulin Marcoux
- Jacques-Cartier River
- Pont Déry
History
The history of Pont-Rouge
- 1867Parish of Sainte-Jeanne founded
- 1874Canadian Pacific railway arrives
- 1911Village and parish split
- 1978Moulin Marcoux named a historic monument
- 1996Merger as Ville de Pont-Rouge
Bridges and the railway shaped the area’s growth. The Pont Royal, now the Pont Déry, was a toll bridge used to carry heavy loads and mail between Québec City and Montréal. A second, free bridge was built: the Pont Rouge. The Canadian Pacific railway arrived in 1874.
Around 1870 to 1872, a limestone water mill was built on the Jacques-Cartier. The mill, the Moulin Marcoux, ran until it went bankrupt in 1910, then became a performance hall and cinema in 1918. In 1911, the parish split in two: the village of Pont-Rouge and the parish of Sainte-Jeanne-de-Pont-Rouge.
In the 1970s, the Moulin Marcoux was threatened with demolition. It was restored from 1974 to 1980 and recognized as a historic monument in 1978. In 1996, the village and the parish merged under the name Ville de Pont-Rouge.
Frequently asked questions about Pont-Rouge
Where is Pont-Rouge?
In the Portneuf RCM, in the Capitale-Nationale region, on the Jacques-Cartier River. The town borders Donnacona to the south and Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures to the east.
What is the Moulin Marcoux?
A former stone water mill, built around 1870 to 1872 on the Jacques-Cartier River, at 1 boulevard Notre-Dame. Restored from 1974 to 1980, it has been a recognized historic monument since 1978.
Where does the name Pont-Rouge come from?
It refers to the Pont Rouge, a free bridge built next to the Pont Royal, now the Pont Déry, which charged a toll. Rue Dupont, for its part, honours parish priest Charles-François Dupont, who served from 1917 to 1933.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Pont-Rouge?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Pont-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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