Saint-François-de-l’Île-d’Orléans

At the Eastern Tip of Île d’Orléans, a Countryside Village.

Situated at the eastern end of Île d’Orléans, the village of Saint-François occupies an intimate space halfway between the island’s upper plateau on the north side and a long slope on the south side, giving it the appearance of being nestled in a small depression.

The area features a curious spatial configuration. Chemin Royal arrives from the west and, almost bumping into the church, makes a significant turn towards the north.

The village’s core is very small and could almost be compared to a hamlet. The historical real estate stock is limited to a few traditional houses, mainly with gable roofs. The church (a historic monument), an old schoolhouse (a historic monument), and a beautiful stone house in the neoclassical style form the essence of the parish center.

The church, built in 1734, was destroyed by fire in 1988. In 1992, the destroyed parts (roof, bell tower, and interior) were rebuilt, preserving its appearance as a typical small country church from the end of the French Regime. However, works by artisans and artists such as the Levasseur brothers, André Paquet, Raphaël Giroux, Léandre Parent, and Louis-Xavier Leprohon were lost. It is open to visitors during the summer season.

The old schoolhouse is considered the oldest of its kind in Quebec, built in 1869. It is classified as a historic monument.

In addition to these two classified monuments, there are exceptional houses outside the village core, heading towards Sainte-Famille, the neighboring village.