In 1672, Olivier Morel de La Durantaye, a captain in the Carignan-Salières regiment, received the seigneury that bears his name. A mission opened there the same year, and the parish of Saint-Michel was created in 1678. It was one of the first ten parishes in what is now Quebec.
The town at a glance
RCMBellechasse
South Shoreacross from Île d’Orléans
Life in Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse
The vibe
A quiet, old village on the river, with white wooden houses, a marina and tall maple trees.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes, including several old wooden houses in the village core.
Nearby
Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes · Marais de Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse · Procession chapel
Good to know
Route 132 follows the river through the village. Route 281 leads south to La Durantaye, and Route 218 goes to Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse.
Landmarks
- Ensemble paroissial de Saint-Michel
- Rivière Boyer
- Marina
History
The history of Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse
- 1672Seigneury of La Durantaye granted
- 1678Parish of Saint-Michel created
- 1740Presbytery built
- 1872Current church built
- 2022Parish complex classified
The seigneur wanted the name Saint-Laurent, but a parish on Île d’Orléans already had it, so Saint Michael was chosen. The first church and presbytery were built on the current site between 1712 and 1715, and a new presbytery went up in 1740. In 1754, a small town was laid out to attract craftsmen.
During the siege of Québec in 1759, British troops occupied Saint-Michel. The residents kept resisting until 1775, which inspired several local legends. Until 1842, the area was known as Saint-Michel-de-la-Durantaye.
The parish municipality was created in 1845, abolished in 1847 and re-established in 1855. The current church was built in 1872 to plans by Joseph-Ferdinand Peachy. In 1992, the municipality took the name Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse to set itself apart from Saint-Michel in Montérégie.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse
Where is Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse?
On the south shore of the St. Lawrence, in the Bellechasse RCM, between Beaumont and Saint-Vallier, across from Île d’Orléans. Route 132 runs through the village.
Where does the name Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse come from?
The parish, created in 1678, is named after the Archangel Michael. Until 1842, it was called Saint-Michel-de-la-Durantaye. Bellechasse was added in 1992 to distinguish the municipality from Saint-Michel in Montérégie.
What is there to see in Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse?
The village core and its wooden houses, the parish complex with its 1740 presbytery and 1872 church, the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes by the river and the marina.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Michel-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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