Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Minor Basilica / National Shrine Of Saint Anne · Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre is a Catholic shrine on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, about 30 km from Quebec City, and one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in North America. Pilgrims have come to honour Saint Anne since a first chapel was built here in 1658, and the shrine draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, by some counts about a million. The current basilica, in a Romanesque and Gothic style, was built between 1923 and 1976 after an earlier church burned, and it holds stained glass, mosaics and a relic of Saint Anne. Piles of crutches and braces left by pilgrims at the entrance tell their own story. This is a working place of worship, not a museum, so dress modestly and stay quiet during services. It suits pilgrims, church and architecture lovers, and travellers combining Quebec City with the Cote-de-Beaupre. Expect a slow one to two hour visit. The feast day on 26 July is the biggest day of the year, with large crowds, so plan carefully and confirm Mass times.
10018 avenue Royale, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec, G0A 3C0, Canada
The basilica is usually open every day of the year, with longer hours in summer and shorter ones in winter. Masses are held several times a day, with more on Sundays and during the summer pilgrim season, and the days around the feast of Saint Anne on 26 July are the busiest. Visitors are welcome between services, but should not walk around during Mass. The visitor centre, shop and other buildings on the grounds keep their own seasonal hours. Exact times change from year to year, so confirm the Mass schedule and opening hours with the shrine before you travel. Early morning on a weekday is quietest, and Sunday midday is crowded.
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