The small monastic town of Ste-Anne de Beaupré is located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, just 40 kilometers northeast of Québec City. The city is best known for the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, a place of pilgrimage for around half a million visitors each year. Also nearby is Canyon Sainte-Anne, an impressive gorge with suspension bridges. The dramatic landscape is waterfall country, with waterfalls that include Sept-Chutes, Chutes Montmorency and Chutes Ste-Anne.
1 Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
The Catholic Church has credited St. Anne with many healing miracles, making the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré a huge attraction for pilgrims. The first chapel dedicated to St. Anne was built here in the 17th century, and quickly became a place of pilgrimage after reports of miraculous events. In 1661 a new stone chapel was built on the valley side, only to be replaced 15 years later. A fire destroyed an 1872 basilica here and the current neo-Romanesque church was completed in 1923. The church was designed by Parisian architect Maxime Roisin and built by Louis Audet, a master builder from Sherbrooke. Among the most pleasing features are the mosaics, colorful stained glass windows and beautiful sculptures and paintings by European and Canadian artists. On the way up to the chapel on the hill (this one built in 1878), the Stations of the Cross are marked by beautifully executed life-size metal figures.
Address: 10018 Ave Royale, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Official site: https://www.sanctuairesainteanne.org
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2 Slopes Ste-Anne
About seven kilometers north of Ste-Anne de Beaupré, the Ste-Anne River has formed a romantically rugged gorge through the Laurentian foothills on its way to the St. Lawrence Estuary. While certainly impressive, Ste-Anne’s Falls hardly deserves the honor of “Grand Canyon of Québec.” Still, a series of suspension bridges provide a fun way to cross the river gorge. A few kilometers beyond Chutes Ste-Anne are the equally impressive seven waterfalls of Sept-Chutes (access from mid-May to mid-October). There are some beautiful viewpoints and nature trails. A large hydroelectric station has been built to harness the energy of the falls.
Address: 206 Route 138 Est, Beaupré
3 Chutes Montmorency
Just ten kilometers north of Québec City, the Montmorency River plunges over an 84-metre high escarpment. Trails with many beautiful views and attractive picnic areas have been set out near the falls. Even though it is 30 meters higher than Niagara falls, the Chutes Montmorency are not nearly as spectacular. In the 1790s, Maison Montmorency (also known as ‘Kent House’) was a great favorite of the Duke of Kent (father of the Victoria who later became Queen). There are more photo-worthy views from the house.
Address: 5300 boulevard Sainte-Anne, Québec
Official site: https://www.sepaq.com/ct/pcm/
4 Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Refuge
About ten kilometers east of Ste-Anne, at Cap Tourmente, a nature reserve is located on the northern bank of the St. Lawrence Estuary. Here, every spring and fall, thousands upon thousands of migrating snow geese break their long north or south journey.
Address: 570 chemin du Cap-Tourmente, Saint-Joachim
5 Côte de Beaupré
Beyond Montmorency, the road passes through Québec’s agricultural “garden” known as Côte de Beaupré. This is a countryside blessed with a particularly favorable local climate and dotted with old mills, farms and unusual cellars half buried in the valley sides. In some of the attractive old farmhouses and rural inns, tourists stopping for a welcome rest can enjoy the local produce (particularly the bread, butter and maple syrup). This is a part of Québec that is also popular with artists.
6 Parc du Mont Ste-Anne
A half-hour drive northeast of Quebec City is the glorious scenery of Mont Ste-Anne, a favorite summer and winter recreation area for Quebecers, dotted with tourist attractions. The beautiful landscape offers wildly romantic rivers, Black Forest-type mountains and valleys good for dairy grazing and cattle breeding. But Mont Ste-Anne is probably best known for its ski hill and other winter sports facilities. There are many chalets and holiday homes, and the resort community has a strong reputation for gourmet cuisine.
Official site: https://mont-sainte-anne.com/
7 Cyclorama
Painted in the 1880s, this intriguing oddity in Ste-Anne de Beaupré consists of a huge 360° panorama of Jerusalem on the day of the Crucifixion. It shows the places where Christ paused on the way to Golgotha.
Address: Rue du Sanctuaire 8, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Official site: https://www.cyclorama.com
8 Scala Santa
Another major attraction, the Scala Santa Chapel (Chapel of the Sacred Steps), was built in 1871. The steps repeat the steps that Christ climbed when he was taken before Pontius Pilate.
Where to stay in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré for sightseeing
We recommend these convenient hotels in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré with easy access to the St.Lawrence River and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré:
- Quality Suites Mont Sainte Anne: mid-range prices, cathedral views, friendly staff, kitchenettes, free breakfast and parking.
- Motel des Berges: affordable motel, comfortable beds, studios and apartments with kitchenettes.
- Chez Charley Motel & Condo: budget prices, apartments with kitchenettes, comfortable rooms.
- Motel Deblois: 2-star motel, clean rooms, great service.
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