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Île d'Orléans is located in the St. Lawrence River about 20 km to the east of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It is 32 km long and 8 km wide. It was originally called Minigo by the Huron. The French explorer Jacques Cartier first set foot on the island in 1535 near what is now the village of Saint Francois. He called it Île de Bacchus because of the abundance of wild grapes growing on the island. The name was later changed to Île d'Orléans in honour of the King of France. The island was one of the first parts of the province to be settled by the French, and a large percentage of French Canadians can trace their ancestry to the island.The Île d'Orléans is 75 km in circumference. It was granted the status of National Historic District in 1970. Since 1940 access to the island has been by the Pont d'Île bridge. The crossing connects to the Chemin Royal (Royal Road) which encircles the island. At the village of Sainte-Petronille toward the western end of the island there is a viewpoint from which one can see the impressive Chute Montmorency ( Montmorency FallsThe Montmorency Falls are located about 10 km east of Quebec City, Quebec. The falls, at 83 metres (272 ft. high, are the highest in the province of Quebec and 30 m (98 ft. higher than Niagara Falls. The falls are at the mouth of the Riviere Montmorency w) as well as a panorama of the St. Lawrence River and Quebec City. The Manoir Mauvide-Genest was constructed in 1734Events January 8 Premiere of George Frideric Handel's opera Ariodante at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. June 17 French troops take Philippsburg, but the Duke of Berwick is killed June 21 In Montreal in New France, a black slave known by the French for Jean Mauvide, a surgeon for the King of France. The manoir was occupied by General WolfeBenjamin West. James Wolfe ( January 2, 1727- September 13, 1759) was a British general, remembered mainly for his role in establishing British rule over Canada. Wolfe was born in Westerham, Kent, England, himself the son of a general, Edward Wolfe, and f when the island was occupied by the British forces in 1759Events January 11 In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first American life insurance company is incorporated. January 13 The Tavora family is executed following the accusation of attempted regicide on Joseph I of Portugal January 15 The British Museum opens shortly before the Battle of the Plains of AbrahamThe Battle of the Plains of Abraham fought September 13, 1759, was a decisive battle during the French and Indian War, the North American phase of the Seven Years' War. It was fought on a plateau just outside the city walls of Quebec City in New France, o.
Today the island is a mix of suburban communities and farms, and is a popular destination for daytrippers and bicyclists. The island is still a very rural place famous locally for its produce, especially its strawberries, apples and potatoes. There are also sugar maple stands producing maple syrupMaple syrup is a sweet condiment made from the sap of maple trees. It is most often eaten with pancakes or waffles, but can also be used as an ingredient in baking or in preparing desserts. Production Real maple syrup comes from Canada or the northern Uni and other products.
The island comprises the towns of Sainte-Famille , Saint-François , Saint-Jean-d'Orléans , Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans , Sainte-Pétronille , and Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
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Ile d'Orléans Ile d'Orléans
