Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec

Cap-de-la-Madeleine
—  Trois-Rivières  —
Basilica of Cap-de-la-Madeleine
Coordinates:
Country  Canada
Province  Quebec
Region Trois-Rivières
Incorporated March 20, 1651
Merged January 1, 2002
Electoral Districts
Federal

Champlain
Provincial Champlain
Government
 • Type Borough
 • Mayor Yves Lévesque
 • Federal MP(s) Jean-Yves Laforest (BQ)
 • Quebec MNA(s) Noella Champagne (PQ)
Area[1]
 • Land 18.26 km2 (7.1 sq mi)
Population (2006)[2]
 • Total 33,022
 • Density 1,808.4/km2 (4,683.7/sq mi)
 • Change (2001-06) 1.5%
 • Dwellings 15,805
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s) 819
Access Routes[3]
A-40
A-55

A-30
Route 157
Website http://www.v3r.net/

Cap-de-la-Madeleine is a former city in Quebec, Canada at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice River and the St. Lawrence River. It was amalgamated into the City of Trois-Rivières in 2002. Population (2006 census) 33,022.

History

Cap-de-la-Madeleine was founded March 20, 1651. The establishment was named by Jacques de La Ferté, who was abbot of Sainte-Madeleine de Châteaudun in France.

The city is famous for its basilica, Basilique Notre-Dame du Cap, dedicated to Our Lady of the Cape. The Basilica receives thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year. Pilgrims are drawn to the site because it is considered to be the place where two miracles were performed by the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first being the Miracle of the Ice Bridge (1879) and the other being the Miracle of the Eyes (1888). The first official pilgrimage occurred in 1883 and consisted of roughly 150 people who traveled to the location by foot[4]. The site is considered the first pilgrimage site in North America, excluding Mexico.

The inhabitants call themselves Madelinois and Madelinoise.

Other interesting sites

References