Cap-Saint-Ignace, Quebec

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Cap-Saint-Ignace is a town of 3,200 people in the Montmagny Regional County Municipality within the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, 70km east of Quebec City on Highway 132.

Cap Saint-Ignace is located on the scenic chemin des Pionniers Ouest, also known as Highway 132, at the Junction of the route du Petit-Cap which is accessible from provincial Autoroute 20, the Autoroute Jean-Lesage.

The town area has a land mass of 227 square kilometres and borders the scenic St. Lawrence River with privileged access to the river and migratory bird sanctuaries.

Their motto “Mets le cap sur la vaillance” translates as “Vigilance is your bearing” and provides the people of Cap-Saint-Ignace with the popular nickname of “the Valliants.”

Named after their protector, Saint Ignace-de Loyola, the town’s emblems are the native Blue Flax and the Eastern Bluebird. The Blue Flax, native to the countryside, is attributed many qualities both as clothing linen and for its medicinal properties. The Eastern Bluebird frequents the local orchards, farms, hedgerows and rock dikes in the area and is renown for its songbird qualities.

The Petit-Cap (Little Cape) and the ancient government pier are amongst the local attractions (parking on site but foot access only). The area is dotted with trails, observations posts and rest areas with interpretive panels on the local fauna, flora and the areas' rich and colourful history. The Fall migration of Snow Geese, amongst other species, is most spectacular. For cyclists the chemin des Pionniers Ouest provides countless hours of scenic riding at a pace of your choosing! Locally, there are four main cycle circuits: Route Verte or Green circuit follows the River through the Town; the Route des pommes or Apple circuit (11 kms) takes you by the orchards; the Campagnard or Country trek (21 kms) brings you through the local maple sugar and produce areas, and the Seigneurial trek (14.7 kms) takes you to and near the historical landmarks. Many of these are natural and preserved sites, pleasant to view and enjoy, but please respect private property. For your convenience, the circuits include rest areas and places where you can purchase meals, snacks, refreshments and souvenirs.

There are many events throughout the year in Cap-Saint-Ignace! Not the least is the Feast of the Saint-Hubert (1 Sep-3 Sep) held in honour of the Saint and patron of hunters, complete with a procession and solemn mass to the sound of French horns accompanying the great organ pipes, meal, clay pigeon shoot, equestrian demonstrations and other activities related to the hunt.

The towns internet site is located at www.capsaintignace.ca.