History of Laval, Québec, Canada

First, a hamlet developed at the eastern tip of the seigniory, around the main estate resulting from a small farm established by Intendant Jean-Talon in 1670.
Towards the end of the 17th century, this estate included a manor, a farm, a mill, a sawmill, a fort with two redoubts used to repel the Iroquois attacks and a chapel, that is to say, everything necessary for the survival of a small community of settlers.
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1681 - Saint-François-de-Sales de l'Ile-Jesus founded

www.prdh-igd.com/en/Carte/2301

1689 - Seigniory (Isle Jesus) Granted, with the Isles aux Vaches adjacent, 23rd Oct. 1689, to the bishop and ecclesiastics of the seminary of Quebec

1702 - The parish of Saint-François-de-Sales, the first parish, founded in 1702 and canonically constituted by the Séminaire de Québec, with right of patronage, in 1721, is the oldest on Île Jésus.
SAINT-FRANÇOIS-DE-SALES PARISH (BOROUGH OF THE CITY OF LAVAL)
It is located at the eastern end of the island, where the first settlers settled, at the confluence of the Rivière des Mille-Îles and the Rivière des Prairies, favorite waterways. This parish covered the entire island and bears the name of the patron saint of Monsignor de Laval.
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1765 - At the beginning, the territory of the parish of Saint-François-de-Sales covered the entire territory of Île Jésus.
There were plans for the construction of a large city laid out according to grid plans, but the weak population prevented the realization of these projects. The parish was the center of activity on Île Jésus until the middle of the 19th century. However, the creation of other parishes limiting its development, it will remain the least populated, barely exceeding, from the 1765 census, 10% of the population of the island, despite a high birth rate.
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1807 - Parish abolished
At the dawn of the 19th century, the death of parish priest Pierre Marchand, after 50 years of service to his ministry, left a great void among the parishioners. The church, in ruins, was abandoned by the population, too few to pay for its upkeep and finally the parish was abolished in 1807.

At the express request of the parishioners, Saint-François-de-Sales was then attached to Saint-Louis de Terrebonne, Saint-Charles de Lachenaie and Saint-Joseph de Rivière-des-Prairies on January 5, 1816. The religious treasures contained in the church are shared between the Séminaire de Québec and the host parishes.
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1832 - ISLE JESUS,
seigniory, in the co. of Terrebonne, in length 21 m. and 6 at its greatest breadth; it lies N.W. of the island of Montreal, from which it is separated by the Riviere des Prairies, and from the main land by the Riviere St. Jean or Jesus. - Granted, with the Isles aux Vaches adjacent, 23rd Oct. 1689, to the bishop and ecclesiastics of the seminary of Quebec, by whom it is still possessed. The original name was L'Isle de Montmagny; but soon after its grant the proprietors thought proper to bestow on it the appellative it now bears. - In size this island is second to Montreal. The land is every where level, rich and well cultivated: on the S.E> bordering the river, are some excellent pastures and very fine meadows; the other parts produce grain, vegetables and fruits in great perfection and abundance. Almost every corner being turned to agricultural uses, very little wood remains, except what is left for ornament on the different farms. There is one road entirely round the island, and one ... Read MORE...

1844 - Parish reestablished
It is thanks to the construction of a bridge linking Terrebonne to Île Jésus that development is picking up again. The former parishioners of Saint-François-de-Sales then felt the need to revive their parish, especially since, to go to Terrebonne, they now had to pay a right of way over the bridge if they renounced a crossing. by boat, often perilous on bad weather.

In 1844, a new church was erected, a few kilometers west of the original location.

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1852 - Laval's Séminaire du Québec founds Université Laval, North America's oldest French Language university.

fccs.ok.ubc.ca/about/links/resources/canadian-history/1800-to-1867.html

1859
ISLE-JESUS, a seignory of Lower Canada, in the co. of Terrebonne, separated from the mainland by the river St. Jean or Jesus, and from the island of Montreal on the NW by the Riviere-des-Prairies. It is 21 m. in length, and 6 m. at its greatest breadth, and is in its entire extent level, fertile and well-cultivated. It possesses excellent roads, and is connected by several ferries with the mainland and adjacent island. It contains 3 parishes. The houses are mostly built of stone.


A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge,Vol 4,Publisher A. Fullarton,1859

1873
LAVAL, (Isle Jesus,) a county in the W part of Quebec, 8 miles N W of Montreal, is formed by the Jesus and Prairie rivers, the branches on the Ottawa river before it joins the St. Lawrence Area 54,202 acres. Capital, Ste Rose Pop 9,472.

ST. FRANCOIS DE SALLES, a post village and parish of Quebec, on Isle Jesus, co. of Laval, 1 mile from Terrebonne. Pop. 864.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1895 - Saint François de Sales
Saint François de Sales, a post-village of Quebec, on Isle Jésus, 1 mile from Terrebonne.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Saint Francois de Sales, a post-village of Laval co., Quebec, on Isle Jesus, 1 mile from Terrebonne.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1916
Isle Jesus, an island of Quebec, 8 miles NW. of Montreal, bounded by the Jesus and Prairie rivers, branches of the Ottawa before it joins the St. Lawrence. Length, 23 miles ; greatest breadth, 6 miles.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1965 - Saint-François integrated to the City of Laval
The 14 municipalities, which existed prior to the incorporation of the amalgamated City of Laval on 6 August 1965, were:

Auteuil
Chomedey
Duvernay
Fabreville
Îles-Laval
Laval-des-Rapides
Laval-Ouest
Laval-sur-le-Lac
Pont-Viau
Sainte-Dorothée
Sainte-Rose
Saint-François
Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
Vimont
wikipedia.org

Laval
Laval, Qué, City, pop 368 709 (2006c), 343 005 (2001c), inc 1965. Laval was formed by the merger of 14 municipalities: Chomedey, Duvernay, Laval-des-Rapides, Laval-Ouest, Pont-Viau, Sainte-Rose, Auteuil, Fabreville, Îles-Laval, Laval-sur-le-lac, Sainte-Dorothée, Saint-François, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul and Vimont. This island-city, 34 km in length by about 11 km in width, is located in the ST LAWRENCE RIVER, north of Île de Montréal, about 15 km from downtown MONTRÉAL. The second largest city of the province of Québec, Laval is separated from Île de Montréal by the Rivière des Prairies and from the mainland to the north by the Rivière des Mille Îles. The city owes its name to François de LAVAL, first Roman Catholic bishop of Québec (1674-88) and onetime seigneur (1675-80) of Île Jésus, the island on which stands today's Laval.

Development
Île Jésus, first granted to the JESUITS in 1636, recalls the role played by those missionaries in the history of NEW FRANCE. Previously known for... Read MORE...

2023 - Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this beautiful part of Canada. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Laval:
Centropolis: This entertainment complex is the heart of Laval's nightlife. It offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a great place to dine, shop, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Carrefour Laval: If you're a shopping enthusiast, Carrefour Laval is the place to be. It's one of the largest shopping malls in the region, featuring a wide range of stores and boutiques.

Cosmodome: Explore the wonders of space at Cosmodome. It's a space science center with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and even a space camp for kids.

Laval Nature Center (Centre de la nature): This vast urban park offers walking and biking trails, picnic areas, and beautiful scenery. It's a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Château Taillefer Lafon: If you appreciate fine wine, visit this winery in Laval. They offer tours and tastings, allowing you to sample some of Québec's best wines.

Maison des arts de Laval: If you're interested in the arts, this cultural center... Read MORE...