The land was part of the seigneury of Saint-Gabriel, occupied from 1647. It was first a private estate of Robert Giffard, then of the Jesuits, before passing to the Crown in 1800.
The town at a glance
RCMLa Jacques-Cartier
North Shorenorth of Québec City
Life in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier
The vibe
A rural, wooded municipality where French and English speakers live side by side. Its bilingual motto, “Together, in the heart of nature,” dates from 2005.
The housing
A rural setting where homes are grouped along the Jacques-Cartier River and Route 371.
Nearby
Village Vacances Valcartier · Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf bike path · Christ Church (Anglican)
Good to know
Downtown Québec City is about 25 km away. Route 371 crosses the municipality and connects it to Québec City’s La Haute-Saint-Charles borough to the south.
Landmarks
- Jacques-Cartier River
- Route 371
- Valcartier Base
History
The history of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier
- 1816John Neilson’s call for settlers
- 1861Split into two municipalities
- 1914Valcartier military camp opens
- 1963Adrien Drouin’s first winter slides
- 1985The two municipalities merge
In 1812, the first settlers built a road between the Jacques-Cartier River and Loretteville. In 1815, four Québec City businessmen, including John Neilson, bought a large part of the Jesuit lands. After Neilson’s call for settlers in 1816, Scottish, Irish, English and French settlers arrived and built homes, sawmills and flour mills.
The churches reflect these origins. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church dates from 1843, Saint-Gabriel Catholic Church from 1852 and Christ Church (Anglican) from 1863. Recognized as a municipality in 1845, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier was divided on May 18, 1861, to also form Saint-Gabriel-Ouest.
In August 1914, a training camp was set up at Valcartier for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. It is the origin of today’s base. In 1963, Adrien Drouin opened a winter sliding centre, the forerunner of Village Vacances Valcartier, and the two municipalities merged in October 1985.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier
Where is Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier?
North of Québec City, about 25 km from downtown, in the La Jacques-Cartier RCM. The municipality borders Québec City’s La Haute-Saint-Charles borough to the south.
Where does the name Valcartier come from?
Valcartier joins the words val (valley) and Cartier, because the territory lies in a valley formed by the Jacques-Cartier River. Saint-Gabriel recalls the former seigneury of Saint-Gabriel.
What is Village Vacances Valcartier?
A recreation complex in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, with a large water park in summer and slides in winter. An ice hotel is also set up there each winter.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier 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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