Discover Sainte-Anne-De-Beaupré

A sanctuary, a distinctive pilgrimage history, and views of the St. Lawrence River define Sainte-Anne-De-Beaupré. The basilica is dedicated to Saint Anne; around this religious focal point, you can also explore history, art, and Québécois storytelling traditions. When choosing this destination, you can decide whether the pilgrimage sites, cultural experiences, or the river and its panoramas will shape your vacation most.

Sanctuary and Pilgrimage History

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a sanctuary dedicated to Saint Anne. Its pilgrimage history includes the memorial chapel, which recalls the third church: it welcomed pilgrims from 1676 to 1876. The Scala Santa also connects visitors with religious tradition. It is the staircase that Jesus climbed on his way to the praetorium of Pilate. These places give your trip a historical and spiritual focus that you can choose to make a central part of your itinerary.

The Way of the Cross at the basilica features 14 outdoor stations in a wooded area next to the basilica. This makes the experience different from the depictions inside the church: the stations are outdoors and set within a wooded area. In addition, the Saint-Gérard Chapel at the Redemptoristines’ monastery is open to pilgrims. Those interested in religious art and pilgrimage history will find different ways here to engage with the spiritual character of the place.

Panoramas and Crafts

The Cyclorama de Jérusalem is an exceptional cultural facet of the area. It is considered the largest panorama in the Americas and the only Canadian example of a historic circular panorama on stilts. It is also one of only three surviving 19th-century panoramas in North America, and the only surviving example of its kind in Québec and Canada. These distinctions make clear that this is not simply another painting, but a rare surviving panorama of particular historical importance.

You can experience a different kind of art at Atelier Paré. There, visitors can watch artists at work and ask them questions on site as they create or produce their work. The studio also invites visitors to hear Québécois stories and folk legends and discover the art of woodcarving. For your trip, it’s a chance to get to know art not only through finished works, but also through the craft and the stories behind them.

In the basilica’s Blue Chapel, Echo, a 12-minute multimedia work, is presented. It offers a distinct experience alongside the historical and craft-related attractions. If you’d like to plan your time in Sainte-Anne-De-Beaupré around particular themes, you can choose among a range of interests, from pilgrimage history and panoramas to storytelling traditions and a short multimedia presentation.

The St. Lawrence River and Local Delights

The Quai de Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is 300 meters long and provides access to the St. Lawrence River. From there, the 360-degree panoramic view takes in the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré sanctuary, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Cap-Tourmente, Île d’Orléans, and Québec City. This viewpoint offers a different perspective on the surroundings than the pilgrimage sites and cultural experiences. If landscapes and wide-open views matter to you, the quay is another reason to include the river in your trip.

The local drinks menu is another specific discovery the area has to offer: Microbrasserie des Beaux Prés lists 16 beers on its menu. Along with woodcarving and Québécois stories, this reveals another side of the trip beyond its religious heritage. When looking for a vacation rental, you can choose what to focus on based on which of these facets interest you most during your stay: pilgrimage history, culture, river panoramas, or local delights.

Discover More Places

The destination pages for Chateau Richer, Beaupré, Saint-Tite-Des-Caps, L'ange-Gardien, Saint-Ferréol-Les-Neiges, and Boischatel also invite you to discover more places to visit.

For the broader travel overview: La Côte-De-Beaupré.