Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans

Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
Municipality
Location within L'Île-d'Orléans RCM.
Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans Location in central Quebec.
Coordinates:
Country	Canada
Province	Quebec
Region	Capitale-Nationale
RCM	L'Île-d'Orléans
Constituted	July 1, 1855
Government
• Mayor	Jean-Claude Pouliot
• Federal riding	Montmorency—Charlevoix— Haute-Côte-Nord
• Prov. riding	Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré
Area
• Total	43.50 km2 (16.80 sq mi)
• Land	43.49 km2 (16.79 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	923
• Density	21.2/km2 (55/sq mi)
• Pop 2006-2011	4.6%
• Dwellings	690
Time zone	EST (UTC−5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC−4)
Postal code(s)	G0A 3W0
Area code(s)	418 and 581
Highways	Route 368
Website	www.municipalite. saintjeaniledorleans.ca

Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans is a municipality in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec, Canada, part of the L'Île-d'Orléans Regional County Municipality. It is situated on the south-east side of Orléans Island.

Prior to April 5, 2003, it was known simply as Saint-Jean.

History

The area was first colonized early in the 17th century. In 1680, a mission was founded and served by the priest of Sainte-Famille. In 1714, the Parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was formed and became a civil parish in 1722. It is believed that this name commemorates Jean de Lauson, Seneschal in New France and son of Governor Lauson, born circa 1620 and killed at the mouth of the Maheu River in 1661 by the Iroquois. Nevertheless, it could also be attributed to John the Baptist in line with the many other religious toponyms on the island.

Although having a well-established agricultural history, Saint-Jean's location on the Saint Lawrence River prompted also development of maritime and fishing trades. It was especially known for its river pilots who would guide vessels through the treacherous Saint Lawrence navigation channel. Over the centuries, a great number of river pilots came from Saint-Jean.

In 1845 the Municipality of Saint-Jean was formed, but abolished in 1847 when it became part of the County Municipality. In 1852, its post office opened. In 1855, it was reestablised as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. In 2003, it changed statutes and its name, becoming the Municipality of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans.

Demographics

Population

Historical Census Data - Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec
Year Pop. ±% 1991 832 —     1996 847 +1.8%	Year Pop. ±% 2001 862 +1.8% 2006 968 +12.3%	Year Pop. ±% 2011 923 −4.6%

Language

Canada Census Mother Tongue - Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec
Census		Total		French				English				French & English				Other
Year		Responses		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %
2011		915		905	1.1%	98.91%		5	n/a%	0.55%		0	100.0%	0.00%		5	50.0%	0.55%
2006		965		915	6.4%	94.82%		0	0.0%	0.00%		40	n/a%	4.14%		10	n/a%	1.04%
2001		860		860	6.8%	100.00%		0	0.0%	0.00%		0	0.0%	0.00%		0	0.0%	0.00%
1996		835		805	n/a	96.41%		10	n/a	1.20%		0	n/a	0.00%		20	n/a	2.39%

Tourism and attractions

File:Église St-Jean (Île d'Orléans).jpg

The church of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, built in 1734, and listed as a historic building.

Like the neighbouring municipalities, Saint-Jean has a rich cultural heritage with many historic buildings. Just past the heart of the village, there is a long line of quaint houses (formerly belonging to river pilots), art galleries, and artists' studios. Of particular interest is the Mauvide-Genest Manor, a rare and exceptional example of French seigneurial past and one of the oldest remaining manor houses in Quebec. This National Historic Site was built in 1734 and restored in 1999, and is now open to the public as a historic interpretation centre.

See also

• List of municipalities in Quebec

External links

• Île d'Orléans - Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans portrait
• Mauvide-Genest Manor