The area was part of the vast seigneury of Lauzon and has been inhabited since 1660. The parish was founded in 1668; by 1683, it had about fifty families. In 1690, a first mill was built at the anse aux Hirondelles and a chapel was erected. The name Saint-Nicolas was given in 1694, at the canonical erection, at the request of Claude de Bermen de La Martinière, administrator of the seigneury.
The neighbourhood at a glance
BoroughCity of Lévis
West Lévison the river west of the Chaudière
Life in Saint-Nicolas
The vibe
A growing residential district that keeps a rural feel and a heritage village on the riverfront.
The housing
Mostly single-family homes in the newer areas, and older houses along route Marie-Victorin.
Nearby
Pierre-Laporte Bridge · Québec Bridge · Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière
Good to know
The bridges to Québec City are at the eastern end of the district. Check your rush-hour commute before choosing a home.
Landmarks
- Route Marie-Victorin
- Église Saint-Nicolas
- Site du patrimoine de Saint-Nicolas
History
The history of Saint-Nicolas
- 1694Parish canonically established
- 1721A stone church is built
- 1962New church and town status
- 1987The heritage site is designated
- 2002Merged into the city of Lévis
A stone church was built in 1721. In the fall of 1759, British troops occupied the parish and soldiers settled in the church, which was badly damaged by the war. By the end of the 18th century, the place had about 700 residents. The parish municipality was created in 1845; for a long time, the economy relied on farming, brickmaking, logging and quarrying.
In 1912, part of the territory became the municipality of Saint-Nicolas-Sud, renamed Bernières in 1968 after Bernières-sur-Mer, in Normandy. The church built in 1821 was destroyed by fire on November 22, 1961. The new church, designed by architect André Gilbert, went up in 1962; its oval nave evokes a ship. That same year, Saint-Nicolas became a town.
In 1987, a group of old houses linked to the Pâquet family became the Saint-Nicolas Heritage Site, one of the first sites designated by a municipality in Quebec. Bernières and Saint-Nicolas merged on September 21, 1994, and the new town took back the name Saint-Nicolas in 1996. On January 1, 2002, it was merged with eight other municipalities to form the new city of Lévis.
Frequently asked questions about Saint-Nicolas
Where is Saint-Nicolas?
On the south shore of the St. Lawrence, west of the Chaudière River, in Lévis. It is one of the three districts of the Les Chutes-de-la-Chaudière-Ouest borough, along with Saint-Rédempteur and Saint-Étienne-de-Lauzon.
Where does the name Saint-Nicolas come from?
The name was given in 1694 at the request of Claude de Bermen de La Martinière, who wanted to recall his home parish, Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Ferté, in France. It also refers to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop.
What is the Saint-Nicolas Heritage Site?
A small group of old houses, mostly on route Marie-Victorin, designated in 1987. It includes the Maison Pâquet, built around 1760, and the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, from 1867–1868.
How do I find an apartment for rent in Saint-Nicolas?
Rental units managed by Lease Lane in Saint-Nicolas 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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