Portraits of Our Ancestors

Often referred to as the “Cradle of French civilization in North America” or the “Breadbasket of Québec,” Côte-de-Beaupré was colonized rapidly by the French in the 17th century. While it was originally prized for its fertile land and known for its pilgrimage to Saint Anne, it wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that this region located east of Québec City saw its economy begin to diversify.

Château-Richer, one of the oldest villages in Québec, sits in the heart of Côte-de-Beaupré. It was the seat of the Beaupré Seigneury, as well as the first parish in the region.

But the history of Château-Richer and the “Coste des beaux prés” is that, above all, of the 170 or so founding families that settled there. It is the history of generations of women and men who played a role in its development.

With this exhibit, Aux Trois Couvents seeks to celebrate the oft-forgotten figures who left their mark on Château-Richer and its region. Step back in time and discover these people—some unassuming, others illustrious—who were pioneers, farmers, members of the clergy, artists, artisans…

Today, Château-Richer looks back at them.

A production of Aux Trois Couvents, a place of cultural discovery