We didn't feel quite ready to brave the traffic of a big city, we have really been spoiled the past three months in terms of traffic, so we decided to explore the immediate environs of Quebec City, specifically the Beaupre Coast.
The main "built" feature is the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. This pilgrimage site, dedicated to Saint Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, is visited by over a million people every year. The first chapel was built in 1658 and during the construction of the chapel, the healing of Louis Guimont took place. The second church (1661-1676) was built of both wood and stone and was located to the east of the present Basilica. The third church (1676-1876) was a stone church and a place of worship for two centuries. It was demolished in 1876. The Memorial Chapel was then constructed on the foundations of its transept. In 1876, Saint Anne was proclaimed patroness of the province of Quebec. That same year, a fourth church, much larger than the previous ones, was opened for worship. This Basilica was destroyed by fire on March 19, 1922. Construction on the present Basilica, inspired by great Romanesque cathedrals, was begun in 1923 and consecrated on July 4, 1976.
There is a contemporary feel to the Basilica.
This large, twin-spired Basilica dominates the site.
I have never been in such a large church.
There are magnificent mosaics on the ceiling.
Romanesque style, but it still seems contemporary to me.
I have no idea of the height; it was huge!
The sanctuary.
There are a series of side chapels, each devoted to a different saint and each decorated in a different style.
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
This is St. Anne's Chapel.
This statue of Saint Anne stands just in front of her chapel.
Ceiling above the sanctuary. I think this is Anne, Mary and Jesus.
Each pew had a different animal carving.
And floral design.
Baptismal font.
After such magnificence, only a spectacular natural attraction could compete. About five miles down the road is Canyon Ste-Anne. It is a privately operated attraction. Here are some animals for Maura to enjoy, with Grandpa standing there for scale.
Grandpa's favorite - a moose.
Blue jay.
Rabbit.
Wood-pecker.
Fox.
Three wolf cubs.
Mama wolf.
A big bear.
And the falls. We are standing on a suspension bridge, right over the crest of the falls.
Fram a side viewpoint. You can see the suspension bridge.
A view down the canyon.
Henry David Thoreau visited in 1850. "Take it altogether, it was a most wild and rugged and stupendous chasm, so deep and narrow where a river had worn itself a passage through a mountain of rock, and all around was comparatively untrodden wilderness." In recognition of his visit and nice words, this replica of his Walden Pond cabin is at the falls.
A more distant view of the falls.
All along the trail there are various overlooks. This one is being rebuilt and this is one worker helping another fasten the fencing on the outside. I don't think OSHA would approve.
A double rainbow created in the mist of the falls.
It was a perfect day to visit the falls. The sky was clear blue and there was a bright sun that created this spectacular rainbow.
Selfie at Canyon Ste-Anne; falls in the background.
This is not an Inukchuk, which means "that which acts in the capacity of a human", but, what they called an Innunguaq, "in the likeness of a human".
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