Visiting Notre-Dame-De-L'Annonciation, L'Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec: Twin Towered Skyline Dominance Dating From 1907-1910

[NB: Among the many notable buildings which are the subject of the hubpages, these may include religious buildings, described as churches, etc.; these descriptions centre on the buildings' architectural and historical interest.]

The work of the Ouellet & Lévesque (1) architectural partnership, Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation was begun in 1907 and completed in 1910, and is situated in L'Ancienne-Lorette (2), Région Capitale-Nationale, Quebec.

The most prominent features of the building are its massive twin towers which truly dominate the skyline of the city spectacularly. Such is the proportion of the towers that to the observer they may almost cause the building as a whole to seem 'top heavy'. Rising to 71 metres, the towers are visible for kilometres around.

The building is the work of the Ouellet & Lévesque architectural partnership. Stylistically, the building reflects a combination of Beaux-Arts, Classicism and Gothic (3).

This striking structure is situated at 1625, rue Notre-Dame, L'Ancienne-Lorette, QC. The founding of what is now known as L'Ancienne-Lorette is attributed to Pierre Chaumonot (1611-1693), a member of the Jesuit Order. At the beginning of the 21st century the town of L'Ancienne-Lorette was for a short period part of Ville de Québec (City of Quebec), but has since acquired once again its independent status. Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation is thus among the most visibly prominent buildings within the municipality.

December 5, 2019

Notes

(1) The work of both architects David Ouellet (1844-1915) and Pierre Lévesque (1880-1955) is strongly identified with the design of ecclesiastical buildings. (See - in French - http://www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca/rpcq/detail.do?methode=consulter&id=7830&type=pge#.XeX4BdV7nmA and http://www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca/rpcq/detail.do?methode=consulter&id=7736&type=pge#.XeX2-tV7nmB respectively.)

(2) The name 'Ancienne-Lorette' is to differentiate from 'Nouvelle-Lorette' — often simply 'Lorette', an important First Nations settlement, itself dating from the 17th century. (See also re. Vieux-Wendake, below.)

(3) See also (in French): http://www.atrsq.com/index.php/sites-religieux-et-spirituels/la-fabrique-de-la-paroisse-notre-dame-de-l-annonciation (This page contains various items of basic information regarding the building.)

At Vieux-Wendake (distance: 9.5 kilometres) a First Nations enclave formerly known as Village-des-Hurons — is picturesque Place de la nation huronne-wendat overlooked by a number of significant buildings, including Église Notre-Dame-de-Lorette; the nearby Chute Kabir-Kouba is a striking set of waterfalls on the Saint-Charles River. Vieux-Wendake is close to the Ville de Québec / Quebec City suburb of Loretteville.

Other outstanding historical and cultural sites worth visiting in Quebec City (within which L'Ancienne-Lorette's boundaries form an enclave) — too many to mention in detail here — include: the Citadelle (Citadel); the 1886 Hôtel du Parlement (Parliament Building), which houses the Assemblée National du Québec (National Assembly of Quebec); Château Frontenac sometimes known as the most photographed hotel in the world, overlooks le Vieux-Québec (Basse-Ville) (Old Quebec - Lower Town) - ; la Chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls), a spectacular sight, on a scale which is higher than Ontario's and New York's Niagara Falls; Maison patrimoniale Louis-S.-St.-Laurent (Louis S. St.-Laurent Heritage House); and many others

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How to get there: Air Canada flies to Quebec City (Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec ) from Montreal and Toronto, with wide connections. VIA Rail maintains regular services with Montreal, Toronto and Windsor. A number of car rental companies offer service at Quebec City airport. Please check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.