Château-Richer is a suburban municipality of the City of Quebec in Quebec Region.

Understand

Geography

It is in the regional county municipality (RCM) of La Côte-de-Beaupré, in the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale. The village borders the St. Lawrence River and faces Île d'Orléans.

Besides the main village of Château-Richer, the various hamlets are: Petit-Pré (near the limit of L'Ange-Gardien), Rivière-Cazeau, Lemoyne, Sault-à-la-Puce, Périgny (near Sainte- Anne-de-Beaupré), Sainte-Anne West, Saint-Achille-de-Montmorency and Saint-Ignace. The vast majority of residents live on the strip along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, along routes 360 and 138.

The majority of the municipal territory is mountainous and forested. Château-Richer stands in an agricultural area (between the forest and Route 138) and forest which is hilly with the foothills of the Laurentians in the background. The northern part of the territory is drained by the Saint-Adolphe Nord-Est River (a tributary of the Saint-Adolphe River). The central part is drained by the Montmorency River. The tributaries of the Île d'Orléans channel are: Rivière du Petit Pré, Rivière Cazeau, Sault à la Puce River, Dogs River and the river Le Moyne; while the Rivière la Retenue is a tributary of the Ferry River.

History

From the beginning of New France, after the founding of Quebec in 1608, the Côte-de-Beaupré was colonized between the Montmorency River and Cap Tourmente. In 1626, Samuel de Champlain established the first farm in the St. Lawrence Valley in Château-Richer. The first source using "Château-Richer" is the map of Jean Bourdon in 1641; it referred to the cape and the prominence on which the current church stands. Twenty concessions were granted in 1646. With the arrival of new settlers, agriculture and forestry then became the fundamental engines of the local economy. Nevertheless, the inhabitants devote themselves in particular to hunting, fishing, crafts, river transport and the fur trade.

The parish of Château-Richer was incorporated in 1678 under the name of La Visitation-de-Notre-Dame. In 1753, the village was organized into a municipality. The parish municipality was originally incorporated in 1845, then abolished in 1847; it was reconstituted in 1855, after the end of the seigneurial regime in Quebec. The territory became a city in 1968.

Get in

By car

• From Quebec (25 km, time: 0 hr 21 min), take route 138 (eastbound) to the village of Château-Richer.
• From Montréal (282 km, time: 2 hr 55 min), take Highway 20 (direction East); cross the Pierre-Laporte bridge and continue on Highway 73 (northbound); take Highway 40 (Eastbound); take route 138 (eastbound) to the village of Château-Richer.

By bus

• Intercar, ☏ +1-800-806-2167. Daily bus leaving from Quebec (Sainte-Foy) at 09:00 in the direction of Baie-Comeau. There is no scheduled stop at Château-Richer. (updated Feb 2022)

See

• 1 Aux Trois Couvents (At the Three Convents), 7976, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-824-3677, info@auxtroiscouvents.org. Local history museum from the 17th century to today. The museum organizes exhibitions (permanent or virtual), workshops and events. The museum includes archaeological pits opened on the ground, the reconstitution of a school class from the beginning of the 20th century and ancient objects. The Aux Trois Couvents museum offers activities for the general public throughout the year. (updated Feb 2022)
• 2 Chapelle Gravel (Gravel Chapel), 8667, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418. Small relay chapel on the edge of the forest. (updated Feb 2022)
• 3 Cuivres d'Art Albert Gilles Boutique et Musée (Cuivres d'Art Albert Gilles Boutique et Musée), 7450, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-824-4224, museum@cuivres-albertgilles.com. Family perpetuating the tradition of repelled copper for 93 years. This workshop has decorated over 35 churches across North America. (updated Feb 2022)
• 4 Cimetière de Château-Richer (Château-Richer Cemetery), avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418. (updated Feb 2022)

Tourist circuits

• Circuit des créateurs de la Côte-de-Beaupré (Circuit of the creators of the Côte-de-Beaupré), info@circuitdescreateurs-cdb.com. As part of the Regroupement des Intervenants culturel de la CBD, local artists offer a tourist circuit comprising 28 stations, between Boischatel and Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, linked to various forms of art, meeting the creators in their respective workshops. and to visit exhibition sites and interpretation sites. This circuit concerns as much professional artists in current, traditional arts or crafts; it also includes a visit to an economuseum, a museum, a library, interpretation centres, art galleries or distribution partners. The creators' circuit website displays the map of La Côte-de-Beaupré and the 28 recommended resorts. (updated Feb 2022)
• Route de la Nouvelle-France (New France Road). Heritage, cultural and nature trail. Departing from Quebec, this route takes place on the Côte-de-Beaupré. In Boischatel, visitors can stop to see the Vézina, Jacob and Pageau ancestral homes, as well as the Manoir de Charleville. Opposite, the river offers a panorama full of life: passing boats, pleasure craft, fog, and clouds. (updated Feb 2022)
• Excursion patrimoniale - Vivre la Côte-de-Beaupré (en BaladoDécouverte) (Heritage excursion - Discovery Live the Côte-de-Beaupré (in Balado)), ☏ +1 877-611-6145, info@cotedebeaupre.com. Visitors can independently experience the cultural and touristic experiences of La Côte-de-Beaupré through a podcast (French and English). This guided tour of 80 km is made up of 16 places, and includes two stops per municipality. At each place visited, participants listen to relevant themes related to the municipality and the territory. Participants must download the podcast before starting the circuit to discover the Côte-de-Beaupré. (updated Feb 2022)

Do

• 1 KCR Karting, 164, route de Saint-Achillée, ☏ +1 418-824-5278. Go-kart track. (updated Feb 2022)
• 2 Plage-Rhéaume. A beach. (updated Feb 2022)
• 3 Château-Richer Patinoire Terrain (Château-Richer Ice Rink Land), 393, rue Pichette, ☏ +1 418-824-4365. Leisure centre. (updated Feb 2022)

Buy

• 1 Marché Richelieu - Eugène Lessard & Fils, 7990, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-824-4247. (updated Feb 2022)

Specialized foods

• 2 Au Coin des Herbes de Ferme Bégin, 8740, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418 262-6408, aucoindesherbes@gmail.com. Producer of fresh herbs and vegetable plants in greenhouses and open fields. (updated Feb 2022)
• 3 Chez Marie, 8706 Royal Avenue, ☏ +1 418-824-4347. Family bakery, in operation for over 90 years. Main products: in summer: a daily batch of fresh bread, pastries (donuts, buns and turnovers) with regional flavours, sweet spreads, jams and maple products. Bakery fitted out in a stone house built in 1652. A room can accommodate groups of 20 people or more. Products to taste on the spot or to bring. (updated Feb 2022)
• 4 Ferme Arthur Cauchon inc, 7862, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-824-4680. Food market offering products from the fields (variety of fruits and vegetables), their cuisine, maple and plants. Online Store. Kiosk at the farm. (updated Feb 2022)
• 5 Les Gâteaux du Château (Castle Cakes), 268, rue du Couvent, ☏ +1 418-824-4620. Cake store. (updated Feb 2022)
• 6 Les Ruchers Promiel inc, 8862, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-824-4411. Classic honeys, tasting honeys and apitherapy. (updated Feb 2022)

Others

• 7 BBB Bijoux bois, 99, mnt des Chênes, ☏ +1 418-265-9397. Manufacturer of wooden jewelry. (updated Feb 2022)

Eat

Since March 2020, in the context of health measures resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, several restaurants or dining rooms in the Quebec City region have transformed the mode of meals at the tables into take-out or delivery service. In general, restaurateurs have demonstrated great resilience by updating their website, integrating interactive and automated applications for remote orders, as well as the display of the menu, opening hours, their mode of operation (e.g. by reservation, drive-through service), required health measures (e.g., vaccination record, mask, distancing), other services (e.g., caterer, shops, accommodation, access for disabled, wi-fi, take-out, delivery), contact details and often the history of the restaurant or site. Considering the evolving context of the pandemic and government measures, it is recommended that customers inquire with each establishment by consulting their respective website.

• 1 Auberge Baker, 8790 avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-824-4478. Restaurant integrated into the Auberge, in an ancestral house dating from 1840. Quebec cuisine. Group reception organization: wedding, event. (updated Feb 2022)
• 2 Château-Régal, 10, rue Lemoine, ☏ +1 418-972-1999. Catering service, delivery and take-out. (updated Feb 2022)

Drink

• 1 Mecdo chute, 7168, avenue Royale. Nightclub. (updated Feb 2022)

Sleep

Gîtes

• 1 Auberge Baker, 8790 avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-824-4478. Restaurant integrated into the Auberge, in an ancestral house dating from 1840. Organization of group receptions: weddings, events. Rustic rooms. (updated Feb 2022)
• 2 Petite Maison dans la Prairie, 8355, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-824-5659. Small inn with French and international cuisine. (updated Feb 2022)

Gîtes, chalets, condos

• 3 Gîte Un Air d'été, 8988, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-824-5210. B&B located along the St. Lawrence River, this site is surrounded by a private lake. (updated Feb 2022)

Camping

• 4 Camping Lac-aux-Flambeaux, 25, rue Paré, ☏ +1 418-456-8618. Camping for seasonal workers located along the St. Lawrence River. Chalets for rent for 2 people, 4 people or for groups. (updated Feb 2022)
• 5 Camping Turmel, 7000, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-824-4311. Wi-Fi at all camp sites. Campsite with 175 sites including 60 for passers-by. The campground includes a snack bar, a convenience store, a café-terrace, a heated swimming pool, toilets, showers and a community room. (updated Feb 2022)

Cope

• Espace culturel Richard-Verreau, bibliotheque@chateauricher.qc.ca. Public library and cultural centre. (updated Feb 2022)

Go next

• 1 Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Reserve this reserve is made up of marshes, plains and forests. Its mission is to protect an American bulrush marsh which is the main habitat of the greater snow goose during its migration. It has several hiking trails allowing the ascent via Cap Tourmente. This reserve is home to more than 180 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, 22 types of forest stands and 700 species of plants.
• 2 Beaupré Beaupré is overlooked by the legendary Mont Sainte-Anne ski resort. The city has two eighteen-hole golf courses, a shopping centre, a wide choice of restaurants, pubs and dining rooms of various types.
• 3 Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Recreational and tourist activities include hiking trails, bicycles, spa, snowmobiles, mountain biking.
• 4 Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval Municipality in a mountainous and mostly forested area on the west bank of the Montmorency River. Recreational tourism activities focus on forestry.
• 5 L'Ange-Gardien Municipality on the north shore of the Île d'Orléans canal, on La Côte-de-Beaupré.
• 6 Île d'Orléans The tour of Île d'Orléans is a must: hiking trails, wide range of accommodation (hotel, manor, inn, bed and breakfast, chalets), local food shop, agrotourism, magnificent rural and river landscapes, art shops, museums, and great island history. The island has been described as "the microcosm of traditional Quebec and the cradle of French speakers in North America".

Routes through Château-Richer

Quebec City ← Boischatel ←	W  E	→ Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré → Sept-Îles
Quebec City ← Boischatel ←	W  E	→ Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges → Saint-Tite-des-Caps