De Roussy Farm

For 11 generations


It was in 1658, at the time of the builders of New France that François Hébert dit le Comte de Roussy and his wife settled here in order to clear their land and then begin to cultivate it. Eleven generations have succeeded each other since then, and the descendants of the Hébert family still work on the land of origin of the first ancestor.

Source: Site of the Hébert farm.

About the Hébert family

Sources: Fresque sur une porte de la Ferme de Roussy


The division of lands

The importance of river-based transportation in New France explains why the lands conceded all along Côte-de-Beaupré have an elongated shape. This way, each farm has its own access to the river, as well as farmable grounds and wooded areas. In 1683, Bishop de Laval planned a route between Montmorency Falls and Cap Tourmente. Named the “Chemin du Roy,” the road would help improve land-based communication.

Picture: Aerial view of L’Ange-Gardien (W. B. Edwards Inc, 1947. Archives de la Ville de Québec)

Changing agriculture

In Côte-de-Beaupré, since the 2000s, the area of farmable lands has remained steady at roughly 8,500 hectares. Although farming here was originally geared toward self-sufficiency through market gardening and livestock raising, the 21st century has seen the advent of specialization for new markets. Today, some farms cater to the tourist market and consumers looking for authentic products, including regional specialties such as micro greens, sea buckthorn berries, pies and jams.

Picture: Preparation of vegetables for the market (Omer Beaudoin, 1952. BANQ, E6, S7, S11, P94140-52.)

Extract of
Experience Côte-de-Beaupré - A Heritage Adventure

Experience Côte-de-Beaupré - A Heritage Adventure image circuit

Presented by : Développement Côte-de-Beaupré

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