In 1697, the territory was part of a seigneury granted to the Jesuits for the use of the Abenaki, along the Chaudière. In 1737, it was granted to François-Étienne Cugnet as the seigneury of Saint-Étienne, developed from 1742.
The town at a glance
RCMLa Nouvelle-Beauce
South Shoresouth of Québec City
Life in Saint-Bernard
The vibe
A farming, family-oriented community with several parks and trails, and cottage life by the Chaudière in summer.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes, with a few duplexes and small buildings in the village. There are also cottages along the Chaudière.
Nearby
Halte de la Chaudière · Sentier du Moulin · Boisé du Cap
Good to know
Route 171 connects Saint-Bernard to Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon and Lévis to the north, and to Scott to the south. The village is about 35 km from Québec City.
Landmarks
- Saint-Bernard church
- Chaudière River
- Route 171
History
The history of Saint-Bernard
- 1737Seigneury of Saint-Étienne granted
- 1844First parish priest arrives
- 1873Church completed
- 1960Church and rectory classified
- 1987Village and parish merge
In May 1800, seigneur Taschereau gave land for the church, rectory and cemetery of a future parish. A first request to found the parish was sent to Bishop Panet in 1821. The name honours Bernard-Claude Panet, coadjutor to Bishop Plessis when the parish was being planned.
The church site was chosen in 1844. The first priest, Father André-Amable Marcoux, arrived on October 1, 1844, and the first baptisms took place on October 20. The parish was canonically erected in 1849, then civilly in 1854.
The current stone church was built from 1871 to 1873. The church and rectory have been classified historic monuments since 1960. In 1959, the village split from the parish, and the two reunited in 1987 to form today’s municipality.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Bernard
Where is Saint-Bernard?
On the South Shore, in the Nouvelle-Beauce RCM in Chaudière-Appalaches, about 35 km south of Québec City. The Rivière Chaudière borders the southeastern part of the territory.
Where does the name Saint-Bernard come from?
It recalls Bernard-Claude Panet (1753-1833), coadjutor to Bishop Plessis when the parish was planned, and Bishop of Québec from 1825. Seigneur Taschereau had suggested Saint Louis instead.
What parks and trails are there in Saint-Bernard?
The Boisé du Cap, with its trails and lookout tower, the Sentier du Moulin along the Rivière des Îles Brûlées, and the Halte de la Chaudière, open in summer with access to the river. The village also has several parks, including Parc du Faubourg and the Récré-O-Parc.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Bernard?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Bernard 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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