In 1713, Charles Couillard Jr. received an extension of a league and a half in depth behind the seigneury of Beaumont. The first settlers, who arrived from 1717 on, belonged to the parish of Beaumont. Settlement picked up from 1723, as the land was good.
The town at a glance
RCMBellechasse
South Shoresoutheast of Lévis
Life in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse
The vibe
A farming village with good services, including schools, an arena and shops, surrounded by farms, maple groves and vineyards.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes. The village also has a seniors’ residence and low-rent housing.
Nearby
Arena · Bibliothèque Jacques-Labrie · Parc riverain de la rivière Boyer
Good to know
The village is about 20 km from Lévis via Highway 20 (exits 337 and 341). It has a daycare centre, an elementary school and a high school.
Landmarks
- Saint-Charles-Borromée church
- Rivière Boyer
- Lac Saint-Charles
History
The history of Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse
- 1713Seigneury of Beaumont extended
- 1749Parish of Saint-Charles-Borromée created
- 1827Church construction begins
- 1854Railway arrives
- 1993Village and parish merged
In 1748, the seigneur Charles Couillard donated land for a church. The following year, Bishop de Pontbriand created the parish of Saint-Charles-Borromée, separate from Beaumont. In the 1750s, Acadian families settled in the area, especially along the Rang de l’Hêtrière.
The current church was rebuilt between 1827 and 1829 to plans by Thomas Baillairgé. The railway arrived in 1854 and made Saint-Charles a stop for the neighbouring parishes. The post office, opened in 1851 as St. Charles River Boyer, took the name Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse in 1905.
In the early 20th century, the village split from the parish. Electricity arrived on October 23, 1923, and the arena was built in 1980 with public donations and the work of many volunteers. In 1993, the village and the parish reunited to form the municipality of Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse
Where is Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse?
In the Bellechasse RCM, in Chaudière-Appalaches, about 20 km southeast of Lévis. The Rivière Boyer and Routes 218 and 279 run through the village, and Highway 20 serves it at exits 337 and 341.
Where does the name Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse come from?
The parish, founded in 1749, was placed under the patronage of Saint Charles Borromeo in honour of the seigneur Charles Couillard. Because the Rivière Boyer crosses the territory, it was also once called Saint-Charles-de-la-Rivière-Boyer.
What is there to see in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse?
The Saint-Charles-Borromée church, rebuilt between 1827 and 1829 to plans by Thomas Baillairgé, two procession chapels and the town hall, housed in the former presbytery from the 1740s. There are also vineyards, including Le Ricaneux and Domaine Bel-Chas.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse 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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