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After my tour of Québec City was over, I took a short 20 minute drive north to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, an important Catholic sanctuary dedicated to St. Anne. St. Anne is the patron saint of Québec, and it’s said that healing miracles are performed at the sanctuary. The basilica is open from 8am to 5pm, and to 9pm in the summer.
History
The first shrine was built there in 1658, and as more pilgrims came, a basilica was built in 1876. A devastating fire claimed the first basilica in 1922 and the current gigantic basilica was completed in 1946.
Basilica
The interior of the basilica is beautifully decorated with Stations of the Cross, sculptures, and other items typical of a Catholic church. The elaborate ceiling was my favorite feature, along with the stunning capitals by sculptor Joseph-Émile Brunet. He also created the fountain and several sculptures and reliefs. There are also sections where the faithful have left crutches, canes, and other health aids after being healed.
On the lower level are two chapels, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and the Immaculate Conception Chapel.
On the Grounds
On the grounds are a museum, a Memorial Chapel, and a replica of the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). The museum, which I didn’t visit, is open from May to October from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Memorial Chapel. The Memorial Chapel and Holy Stairs are open from 8am to 6pm from mid-May to mid-October.
The Memorial Chapel was built in 1878 and is a replica of an older structure that lasted from 1676 to 1876.
The Holy Stairs were built in 1891 and is the first of its kind in the Americas. It features scenes from the Holy Land.
Waterfall
The drive back towards Québec City took me past Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency), a breathtaking waterfall. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to stop.
