| Island of Orleans | |
| Native Name: | Île d'Orléans |
| Native Name Lang: | fr |
| Map: | Canada Central Quebec#Canada |
| Pushpin Label: | Île d'Orléans |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Waterbody: | Saint Lawrence River |
| Area Km2: | 192.85 |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Length Km: | 34 |
| Width Km: | 8 |
| Elevation M: | 150 |
| Country: | Canada |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | Province |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Quebec |
| Country Admin Divisions Title 1: | Regional county |
| Country Admin Divisions 1: | L'Île-d'Orléans |
| Population: | 7,082 |
| Population As Of: | 2016 |
Île d'Orléans (pronounced as /fr/; English: '''Island of Orleans''') is an island located in the Saint Lawrence River about 5km (03miles) east of downtown Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It was one of the first parts of the province to be colonized by the French, and a large percentage of French Canadians can trace ancestry to early residents of the island. The island has been described as the "microcosm of traditional Quebec and as the birthplace of francophones in North America."[2]
It has about 7,000 inhabitants, spread over 6 villages.
The island is accessible from the mainland via the Île d'Orléans Bridge from Beauport. Route 368 is the sole provincial route on the island, which crosses the bridge and circles the perimeter of the island. At the village of Sainte-Pétronille toward the western end of the island, a viewpoint overlooks the impressive Chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls), as well as a panorama of the St. Lawrence River and Quebec City.
The Island of Orleans is situated between the Laurentian Plateau or Canadian Shield to the north and the Appalachian Mountains to the south. Its north-eastern point marks of the St Lawrence river middle estuary, where the fresh water begins to mix with salt water.[3] [2]
The island is separated from the mainland by 2 channels; to the north-west is the Île d'Orléans Channel and to the south-east is the Grands Voiliers Channel.
Of irregular form with jagged coves and capes, the Island of Orleans is 34km (21miles) long and 8km (05miles) wide at the widest point. It is 75km (47miles) in circumference, with a total surface area of 190km2. It has a hilly relief, small valleys, and gradual crests that reach a maximum height of about 150m (490feet) at Sainte-Pétronille and Saint-Laurent in the south.[4] [1]
The main streams of Île d'Orléans are:[5]
Administratively, the island is within Quebec's Capitale-Nationale region, and constitutes the L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality. It is further subdivided in the municipalities of:
.The entire island is part of the Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord federal electoral riding, and the Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré provincial electoral riding.
The island had long been inhabited by Indigenous peoples. The Hurons called it Minigo (meaning "Enchantress") because of its charm.[2] The French explorer Jacques Cartier first set foot on the island in 1535 near the present-day village of Saint-François. And called it Île de Bascuz (from Bacchus) because of the abundance of wild grapes growing on the island. Officials later changed the name to Île d'Orléans in honour of the second son of King Francis I, who became Henri II, Duke of Orléans. The island was also known as Grande Île, Sainte-Marie, and Saint-Laurent for certain periods in the 17th and the 18th centuries.[4]
Early French settlers, mostly from Normandy and other provinces in northwestern France, were attracted to the island because of its fertile soil. They colonized it according to the seigneurial system of New France, which is still evident in its layout by featuring residences close together with outlying long and narrow fields and a common.[2] In 1661, the first parish of Sainte-Famille was founded, followed by another four parishes in 1679 and 1680. By 1685, there were 1205 mostly French inhabitants and 917 livestock.[6]
In 1744, colonists completed the 67km (42miles) Chemin Royal (Royal Road), which encircles the entire island.[6] Jean Mauvide, a surgeon for the King of France, built the Manoir Mauvide-Genest in 1734 as his residence. In 1759, it was occupied by British General James Wolfe when his forces occupied the island shortly before the Battle of the Plains of Abraham during the Seven Years' War in which Britain was victorious.
In the 19th and early 20th century, several boatbuilding yards operated on the island, especially in Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans. Together with the thriving fishing industry of that era, they gave the island a maritime character.[7]
In 1935 the Pont de l'Île was completed, and the bridge brought much more traffic. However, the island has maintained its pastoral image and historic character, with more than 600 buildings classified or recognized as heritage property. In 1990, the entire island was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.[2] [4] [6]
Today, the island is a mix of suburban communities and farms and is a popular destination for day trippers and bicyclists.
Since the days of the first French settlers, agriculture has been the main economic activity. Potatoes, strawberries, apples, blueberries, raspberries and maple syrup is produced. There is also viticulture and cheese production. The island, known as the "Garden of Quebec",[2] is still an essentially rural place famous locally for its produce, especially strawberries, apples, potatoes and wineries. Sugar maple stands produce maple syrup and other products.
While the old trades of fishing and boat building have been abandoned, the island's rich cultural heritage and pastoral scenery has led to a flourishing tourism industry. It attracts more than 600,000 visitors each year. Numerous bed-and-breakfast inns, regional cuisine restaurants, roadside fruit stands, art galleries and craft shops also attract visitors:[2] [4]
Also for years there has been a strong movement of the inhabitants of city of Quebec, who own second homes around the periphery of the island of Orleans.
Félix Leclerc is buried in Saint-Pierre. There is the Espace Félix Leclerc, today a museum and performance hall, in his honor.
Several chansonniers have made reference to Île d'Orléans in their songs, in particular: