| Saint-Jean-Port-Joli | |
| Settlement Type: | Municipality |
| Pushpin Map: | Canada Southern Quebec |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in southern Quebec. |
| Coordinates: | 47.2167°N -86°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Chaudière-Appalaches |
| Subdivision Type3: | RCM |
| Subdivision Name3: | L'Islet |
| Established Title1: | Constituted |
| Established Date1: | July 1, 1855 |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Normand Caron |
| Leader Title1: | Federal riding |
| Leader Name1: | Montmagny—L'Islet— Kamouraska—Rivière- du-Loup |
| Leader Title2: | Prov. riding |
| Leader Name2: | Côte-du-Sud |
| Area Total Km2: | 240.90 |
| Area Land Km2: | 68.95 |
| Population Total: | 3304 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | 47.9 |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Pop 2006-2011 |
| Population Blank1: | 1.8% |
| Population Blank2 Title: | Dwellings |
| Population Blank2: | 1658 |
| Population Demonym: | Port-Jolien(ne) |
| Timezone: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | −5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | −4 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code(s) |
| Postal Code: | G0R 3G0 |
| Area Code: | 418 and 581 |
| Blank Name: | Highways |
| Blank Info: | |
Saint-Jean-Port-Joli (pronounced as /fr/) is a village in the Regional County Municipality of L'Islet within the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec, Canada. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River and is the county seat. The village is located off the Trans-Canada Highway, Autoroute 20. Route 132 passes through the town.
It is known for its craftspeople and artists, especially in the fields of wood carving and sculpture. There are also several well-reputed restaurants.
The village takes its name from the seigneury of Port-Joly, which was established in 1677. The Parish of St-Jean-Port-Joli was canonically established in 1721. The church, on which construction began in 1779, has unique architecture and houses many sculptures. The municipality was created in 1845 and became part of L'Islet County (a predecessor to the RCM of L'Islet) in 1847. In 1855, it became a parish municipality, and in 1857 it was split into the municipalities of St-Jean-Port-Joli and Saint-Aubert.[1]
Like most other villages that lie in the Côte-du-Sud region between Rivière-Ouelle and Beaumont, most of its houses were burned down in September 1759. Under the orders of British general James Wolfe, the Fraser Highlanders regiment attacked the area during the Conquest of 1760 during the French and Indian War.
The tradition of wood carving began in the early 20th century with the Bourgault brothers, Médard, Jean-Julien and André.[2] [3]
Despite its small population, the village is a relatively active tourist stop in the region, primarily due to the abundance of artesian wood carvers and cultural events. The village also includes a marina with access to the Saint Lawrence River at the site of the old wharf.
St-Jean-Port-Joli was awarded with the title of cultural capital of Canada in 2005.
This festival highlights many aspects of the village's maritime heritage, legends, and songs. Also included in the weekend-long event is a dinner, workshops, literary contest, sailboat race, market, films, and expositions.[5]
This is an annual festival of music that has taken place since 1998. Every year in the month of September, fiddlers gather and play music from a wide variety of genres.[6]
In the month of February, the Trois-Bérets park invites ice sculptors from around the world to display their talent. Additionally, the festival contains activities for the family in the daytime, such as helicopter rides, and concerts at night.[7]