There is a great religious patrimony on Île d’Orléans, an island near Québec City, Canada. I have previously written about the churches of Île d’Orléans, places to me that represent the extraordinary history and timeless beauty of religious art and architecture. In addition to the eight churches on the island, there are also six procession chapels, five calvaries (which depict the scene of Christ’s Crucifixion), 19 roadside crosses (which commemorate the Savior’s Agony), and an oratory. As I walked the 42-mile Chemin Royal (Royal Road) that encircles the island, I photographed some of the procession chapels and roadside crosses of Île d’Orléans that to me also represent the extraordinary history and timeless beauty of religious art and architecture, as well as the great religious patrimony.
Procession chapels, “signs of popular devotion, were generally built at equal distances form the parish churches and were gathering places during processions and religious celebrations.”
Roadside crosses, made of wood, metal, or stone, “are generally erected and maintained by families in thanks for a favor received or to beseech divine protection for their home. Some roadside crosses bear the instruments of the Passion of Christ or are decorated with fleurs de lys.”
The procession chapel of Sainte-Famille (the second chapel picture in this blog, with the bright red door and roof, and silver steeple), has been classified as an historic monument. Made out of stone, it was built during the first half of the 19th century. The chapel of Saint Laurent (the picture below, the brick chapel with the red steeple and pink flower pots hanging by the door) was built in 1859.
I enjoyed walking into one of the chapels (pictured below), which is now also a boutique, Chez Kim – La Véricière – Artisane d’art. This artisan specializes in silkscreen, ceramics, wood, and furs. She creates cushions, clothing, and curtains out of fabric, which highlight the rocks and glass pieces she finds on the beaches of Île d’Orléans. Oil paintings on variety of media, and sculptures made out of metal, wood, or plaster are also featured in this, what I call, “unique boutique-chapel.”
So my 26th and 27th reasons out of 42 reasons to visit Île d’Orléans are the many procession chapels and roadside crosses of Île d’Orléans, lumped into one reason, and Chez Kim – La Véricière – Artisane d’art, a “unique boutique-chapel.”
Sweet Travels!
Some of the information for this blog was obtained from a booklet I received called “The Religious Patrimony of Île d’Orléans.”
To recap my first 25, out of 42, reasons to visit Île d’Orléans:
#1. The quiet.
#2 through #4. The chocolate shops.
#5 through #10. The wineries, cidreries, and vinaigreries.
#11 through #16. The churches.
#17. The aroma of lavender.
#18 and #19. Recycled Folk Art and Textile Weaving.
#20. Strawberry Season.
#21 and #22. Strawberries, Raspberries, and Blackcurrants. Oh my!
#23. The mailboxes.
#24 and #25. The Art in the Garden and The Garden of Arts.
My walking tour of Île d’Orléans was sponsored by Tourisme Québec (Québec Original) and Québec City Tourism (Québec Region). For more information, please visit:
Tourisme Île d’Orléans
Quebéc Region
Quebéc Region-Québec City and Area-Île d’Orléans
Quebéc Original