Experience Québec
Vieux Sainte-Rose
Take me to Sainte-Rose…
The charm of an 18th-century village still lingers in Laval’s historic Sainte-Rose district. The Vieux Sainte-Rose quarter, which features a number of renowned fine dining restaurants and hosts one of Québec’s biggest painting symposia and the Chemin des roses handicrafts festival, is a locale that boasts both a rich history and a vibrant present-day atmosphere. During each of its two festive periods – Sainte-Rose en blanc and Sainte-Rose en bleu – you’ll be treated to a highly colourful show! Welcome to this lively district, home to the Curé Labelle, a priest, and renowned artist Marc Aurèle Fortin! 
Few locations in Québec have witnessed so many of the most momentous chapters in our history: Sainte-Rose traces its origins back to 1740, when the district was part of the French regime, and became one of the first holiday resorts in the 1860s – an era in which tourism was the exclusive preserve of the most affluent. The turmoil of the Insurrection des Patriotes [Patriotes rebellion] (this village is the birthplace of the Fils de la Liberté [Sons of Liberty] society) and the saga of Curé Labelle’s settlement of the Laurentians are also part of its history. The richness of the area’s past has evolved into its highly colourful present, in which Sainte-Rose has become a likely source of inspiration for all sorts of artistic creations…including an attractive table setting!
A four-petal “edible rose”
Set off on a four-hour culinary saga: The Vieux Sainte-Rose quarter has a long-standing reputation for fine dining, as evidenced by the Passeport des chefs: an affordable package1 that lets you tantalize your taste buds in four highly renowned restaurants: Derrière les fagots, Restaurant Amato, Le Saint-Christophe and Au Jardin Boujo. The four-course gourmet meal (comprised of cold and hot appetizers, a main course and a dessert, and the wines to wash them down with, will offer your palate a matchless, delightful culinary experience!
Sainte-Rose plays host to a lofty symposium
This summer, the streets of the Vieux Sainte-Rose quarter will be teeming with painters and sculptors – 82 specially chosen artists coming together for the 14th annual Symposium, one of the largest of its kind in Québec. The lively atmosphere in this rural locale imbues the event with an even more festive air. Caricaturist Serge Chapleau, honorary president for the 2009 edition of this symposium (which runs from July 30 to August 2), will be on hand at the celebrations. Make the most of your time there by visiting the La Vieille Caserne art gallery and Le Centre d’Art. Immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere as you mingle with 25,000 art lovers!
Sainte-Rose "goes blue," then turns to white
A few days later – from August 5 to 9, 2009 – the entire district picks up the theme of the Rivière des Mille-Îles’ blue waters! The Sainte-Rose en bleu extravaganza will feature three major outdoor concerts (held free of charge), two evening events – Magie et lumière bleue and Prose et Poésie – and the highlight of the festival: a large blue fireworks display! 
Following on the heels of these festivities, Un chemin de roses, La Semaine des Artisans de Laval will run from August 12 to 16, 2009. As many as 150 fine craft artists from Laval and all over Québec will gather to demonstrate their know-how and present and sell their handicrafts – including local products such as Québec-produced wines.
And finally, a highlight of the winter season is Sainte-Rose en blanc, which runs for three weekends in February. While winter sports (dogsledding, skating, ice fishing, climbing and ski walking) will occupy the place of honour, you can also enjoy circus performances, folk dancing, story-telling, guided tours, snow sculptures, sleigh rides and much, much more.
Nothing beats a trip to this enchanting locale: Happiness is seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses in Sainte-Rose!1 This pass is available for a cost of $99 plus taxes.
| Patriot History – Part 2 |
 Les Fils de la liberté, the Patriotes’ paramilitary branch, was founded in Sainte-Rose by André Ouimet, the older brother of future Québec Premier Gédéon Ouimet and author of a sardonic prison diary entitled Journal de prison d’un Fils de la liberté 1837-1838.  As the events of 1837 occurred, a number of meetings were held at the Auberge Tassé, which was owned by Augustin Tassé, a Patriote. It was here that a decision was made to sabotage the pont Porteous in order to prevent the Loyalist British army from invading Saint-Eustache, thus protecting Sainte-Rose. During this time, Sainte-Rose parish priest François Magloire Turcotte served as a double agent, passing strategic information back and forth between the Patriote and Loyalist camps. The Patriotes lost the main part of their battle and their leaders were executed by hanging. In tribute to their memory, the Journée des Patriotes is observed every year in May. |
Sylvain Lacoursière
Photos: Tourisme Laval, Ville de Laval, Claire Gauthier et Sylvain Lacoursière
2009-06-22
