L'Ange-Gardien's village, view from Île d'Orléans

L'Ange-Gardien is an eastern suburban municipality of Quebec City, in Quebec.

The main attractions of the municipality are:

• the resort area around Lac la Retenue (at the foot of Mont du Curé-Gravel);
• the rich heritage of Avenue Royale where many ancestral houses have been well renovated and large old buildings bear witness to the agricultural past;
• recreational tourism: hiking, cycling, nautical activities on the Île d'Orléans channel and activities organized by the local recreation department;
• the municipal parks: riverside Espace Fillion park (park connected to the cycle route), the Amus'Anges park, the Éva park, the wood runners park, the Recreation Center park, the bike stop on rue Casgrain, the Marie-Hélène Prémont cycle route;
• agritourism;
• regional tourist routes: the New France route, the creators' route, the Côte-de-Beaupré route, the religious heritage route and the Gourmet route.

Understand

The village borders the St. Lawrence River and faces Île d'Orléans.

Besides the main village of L'Ange-Gardien, the various hamlets are: Dufournel, Petit-Pré (near the boundary of Château-Richer) and Lac la Retenue. The vast majority of residents live on the strip along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, along routes 360 and 138, and partly around Lac la Retenue or along Chemin Lucien-Lefrançois.

Geography

The majority of the municipal territory is mountainous and forested. The St. Lawrence plain stretches up to 460 metres (1,510 ft) from the river on the limit with Boischatel and 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from the river at the limit with Château-Richer.

L'Ange-Gardien has a restricted agricultural zone in the Petit-Pré sector, between the foot of the moraine and the shore of the Île d'Orléans channel. In the hinterland, the rest of the territory is entirely forested and hilly by the foothills of the Laurentians. The highest peak in the territory is the Mont du Curé-Gravel (summit at 631 m) at the limit of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval and L'Ange-Gardien. This summit overlooks Lac la Retenue (south side of the mountain) and the village of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval (northwest side of the mountain).

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 L'Ange-Gardien was canonically erected in 1664.

The toponym "Chemin des sucreries" (Sweets Path) which runs along the north shore of the Ferry River (north-west of L'Ange-Gardien) bears witness to the sugar bush exploitation activities in this steep-sided valley, between Lac la Retenue and the Montmorency River.

Get in

By car

• From Quebec City (17 km, time: 15 min), take Autoroute 440 (Eastbound) which becomes Route 138 in the Montmorency Falls sector, to the village of L'Ange-Gardien.
• From Montreal (274 km, time: 2 hr 49 min), take Highway 20 (direction East); cross the Pierre-Laporte bridge and continue on Highway 73 (northbound); take Highway 440 (Eastbound); take Route 138 (eastbound) to the village of L'Ange-Gardien.

By bus

• Intercar (bus), toll-free: +1-800-806-2167. Daily bus from Quebec (Sainte-Foy) to Baie-Comeau. There is no scheduled stop at L'Ange-Gardien; the nearest stop is in Boischatel. (updated Feb 2022)

Get around

Gas stations

• 1 Station-service Esso, 6536, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-822-2433. Service station for motor vehicles. (updated Feb 2021)
• 2 Station-service Shell, 6680, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-822-0791. Service station for motor vehicles. (updated Feb 2021)
• 3 Station-service Ultramar, 6318, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-822-0083. Service station for motor vehicles. (updated Feb 2021)

See

Museums and heritage buildings

Monument of the Sacred Heart near the presbytery

• 1 Château Richard, 6983, avenue Royale. The plans for this private château were drawn up in 1906 by Eugène-Michel Talbot (1858-1917), architect. The people associated with the construction were François Parent and Louis-Hyacinthe Peters. The construction of this heritage building took place in 1906-1907. This building has always had a residential vocation. It was acquired in 1891 by Zoé Turgeon. The estate of the latter sold in 1925 to Télesphore Simard. Joseph-Charles Auger acquired it in 1928; his estate sold in 1947 to Joseph-Charles Auger. Arsène Bureau acquired it in 1948. (updated Feb 2022)
• 2 Église de L'Ange-Gardien, Presbytère: 6357, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-822-1633. Place of worship of the Catholic faith. (updated Feb 2022)
  • 3 Cimetière L'Ange-Gardien (2e), chemin Lucien-Lefrançois, ☏ +1 418-663-9875. Catholic parish cemetery. (updated Feb 2022)

Events

• 4 Fête familiale de l'Hiver (Winter family celebration), 1, rue des Loisirs bureau 107, toll-free: +1-877-493-7837. mid-February. Many free winter activities: sleigh ride, maple taffy, and entertainment for young people. (updated Feb 2022)
• 5 La Fête des Voisins (The neighbours' party), Parc riverain espace Fillion: 6300, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-822-1555. In June. Festival offering the opportunity for people to mingle socially. (updated Feb 2022)
• 6 La Fête nationale du Québec, Parc riverain espace Fillion: 6300, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-822-1555. Normally June 24. Inflatable games, musical shows, fireworks and bonfire. With the famous Saint-Jean cake offered by the mayor. (updated Feb 2022)
• Le Tournoi de golf, Club de golf Le Montmorency, 2700, avenue du Sault, Québec, G1C 2L2, ☏ +1 418-822-1555, . Normally in September. Golf tournament with shotgun formula. (updated Feb 2022)

Tourist routes

• 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, clouds... (updated Feb 2022)
• Excursion patrimoniale - Vivre la Côte-de-Beaupré (en BaladoDécouverte) (Heritage excursion - Discovery Live the Côte-de-Beaupré (in Balado)), toll-free: +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

Outdoor activities

• Parc des Amus'Anges (at the corner of Avenue Royale and Rue Lépine). This park is equipped with several game modules (slides, swings, spring games, seesaws) and picnic tables. (updated Feb 2022)
• Parc Éva (at the corner of Avenue Royale and rue Éva). Park for 0-5 year olds, equipped with several game modules (slides, spring games, seesaws) and picnic tables. (updated Feb 2022)
• Le Parc des Coureurs de Bois (at the corner of rue de la Vallée and rue des Domaines). Les Coureurs de bois park has a well-equipped game module in the heart of the forest in the northern area of the municipality. (updated Feb 2022)
• 1 Le Parc du Centre des Loisirs, 1, rue des Loisirs. Various game modules (swings, spider webs, seesaws) and a beach ball court. A shaded area offers parents (or supervisors) a rest stop while watching their children play in the facilities offered. This park is reserved for the exclusive use of the Day Camp during the week and in summer (last Monday in June to second Friday in August). (updated Feb 2022)
• 2 Parc Riverain Espace Fillion (Waterfront Park Espace Fillion), 6300, boulevard Sainte-Anne. Municipal park on the shore of the Île d'Orléans channel. Animation. (updated Feb 2022)

Indoor activities

• 3 Centre des loisirs Gérard-Miotto (Gerard-Miotto Leisure Center), 1, rue des Loisirs, ☏ +1 418-822-1555 ext 103, directionloisirs@langegardien.qc.ca. Leisure centre. (updated Feb 2022)

Buy

Specialized foods

• 1 Alimentation A. Bédard, 6470, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-822-1787. (updated Feb 2021)
• 2 Boulangerie Artisanale Millet, 6475, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-822-0427. A bakery offering a vast variety of bread products. (updated Feb 2021)
• 3 Domaine Genessee, 200, chemin des Sucreries, ☏ +1 418-953-4379, info@genessee.ca. Outfitter. Services: fishing, lodging, trails, Thomassin cave (in Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval). (updated Feb 2021)
• 4 Domaine L'Ange Gardien - Vignoble, 6869, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-822-0636. Vineyard offering a range of products of various types of wine: red, white, ice wine, iced apple. (updated Feb 2021)
• 5 Ferme François Bélanger, 6117, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-455-2763. U-pick fruit, especially cherries and grapes in season. Shop selling homemade products, market garden produce and farm fruit. Offer of family baskets of vegetables and fresh fruit, upon reservation. (updated Feb 2021)
• 6 Ferme Le Comte De Roussy, 6167, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-822-1649. Apple picking: early Sep to mid-Oct. Farm belonging to the descendants of the Hébert family for over 350 years. Shop offering market garden products (including sweet corn, cucumber, broccoli, beans, cauliflower, carrot, pumpkin, rutabaga (turnip), cabbage, garlic) and fruits (including strawberry, apple, pear, raspberry, rhubarb, plum) . The orchard has 700 apple trees in nine varieties of apples. (updated Feb 2021)
• 7 Les Délices royales, 6395, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418-406-1746. Dairy established in a building from the 1850s, which was the old general store of the village. (updated Feb 2021)

Eat

Since March 2020, in the context of health measures resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, several restaurants or dining rooms in Charlevoix have transformed the mode of meals at the tables into take-out or by delivery service. In general, restaurateurs have shown great resilience by updating their website, integrating interactive and automated applications for remote orders, as well as displaying the menu, opening hours, their mode of operation (e.g., by reservation, car service), health measures required (e.g., vaccination record, mask, distancing), other services (e.g., caterer, shops, accommodation, access for the 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 obtain information from each establishment by consulting their respective website.

• 1 Le Transit Café, 6318, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-822-0083. Restaurant associated with the convenience store on the corner. (updated Feb 2022)
• 2 Restaurant Les Délices Royales, 6395, boulevard Sainte-Anne, ☏ +1 418-406-1746, lesdelicesroyal01@gmail.com. Dairy, pizzeria. (updated Feb 2022)

Sleep

Gîtes, chalets, condos

• 1 À Bord de l'eau, chemin du Lac la Retenue Nord. Lodging on the north shore of Lac la Retenue. (updated Feb 2021)
• 2 Gérard Beaudry, chemin Lucien-Lefrançois, ☏ +1 418-822-2669. Accommodation. (updated Feb 2021)
• 3 L'Ange-Gardien Royal, gîte touristique, 6393, avenue Royale, ☏ +1 418 717-1746, langegardienroyal@gmail.com. Gîte. (updated Feb 2021)
• 4 Villa des Mésanges, 32, rue du Tricentenaire, ☏ +1 418-822-2662, villa.mesanges@videotron.ca. Certified non-profit residence offering since 2000 housing for independent seniors or those with a slight loss of autonomy. (updated Feb 2021)

Go next

Routes through L'Ange-Gardien

Quebec City ← Château-Richer ←	W  E	→ Baie-Saint-Paul → Sept-Îles
Quebec City ← Château-Richer ←	W  E	→ Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges → Saint-Tite-des-Caps

• 1 Boischatel Municipality in the eastern suburbs of Quebec City. Its territory forms the east bank of the Montmorency River and the Montmorency Falls. Its Festival Boischatel en neige ÉCLATÉ is very popular; the 23rd edition was celebrated in January 2022.
• 2 Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval Municipality in a mountainous and mostly forested area on the west bank of the Montmorency River. Its only road access to Quebec City is avenue Sainte-Brigitte. Recreational tourism activities focus on forestry. Poulin Lake is the largest body of water.
• 3 Château-Richer A town in the eastern suburbs of Quebec City. This picturesque town has many well-renovated ancestral homes. The Aux Trois Couvents museum invites visitors to discover heritage and culture through its exhibitions, workshops and events. The Côte de Beaupré is the cradle of French America.
• 4 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 was one of the first parts of the province to be settled by the French, and a large percentage of French Canadians can trace the ancestry of the island's earliest residents. The island has been described as "the microcosm of traditional Quebec and the cradle of French speakers in North America".
• 5 Quebec City Capital of the province of Quebec. City of museums and exhibition spaces, parks and gardens, churches, major events and a lot of social, military and religious history. Annually, the Carnaval de Québec takes place in early February.