Lanoraie, a charming town nestled in the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Canada, is part of the D'Autray Regional County Municipality. This article will take you on a journey through Lanoraie's rich history and its vibrant present.
The history of Lanoraie, Quebec, dates back to the 16th century when Jacques Cartier passed through the area. The Iroquois had already established themselves here, naming it Agochanda or Agouchonda, which translates to "place where one stops to eat and rest".
In 1642, a significant event occurred in this area when Isaac Jogues, Guillaume Couture, and René Goupil were abducted by the Mohawks, leading to their captivity and torture.
The year 1672 marked a turning point for Lanoraie when the Intendant of New France, Jean Talon, granted the territory as a seignory to Louis de Niort de La Noraye. The Seignory of La Noraye, also known as Lanauraie, Lanoraie, or Noraye, was united with the Autray Seignory in 1688.
The Parish of Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie was founded in 1732, but it wasn't until 1831 that the area began to develop. In 1845, the parish was incorporated as the Parish Municipality of Lanoraie, only to be abolished two years later. It then became part of the Berthier County Municipality. However, in 1855, it was reestablished as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie.
The Municipality of Lanoraie-d'Autray was formed in 1848. On December 6, 2000, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie and the Municipality of Lanoraie-d'Autray were merged to form the new Municipality of Lanoraie.
Lanoraie, Quebec, has seen a steady increase in its population over the years. The population in 2021 stood at 5134, marking a 7.2% increase from 2016. The population in 2016 was 4787, which had risen from 4447 in 2011, 4067 in 2006, and 3869 in 2001. The total population in 1996 was 3759, with Lanoraie-d'Autray and Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie having populations of 1904 and 1855, respectively.
In 1991, the population of Lanoraie-d'Autray was 1793, while Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie had 1562 residents. The town has a total of 2199 dwellings, with 2123 occupied by usual residents.
As for the linguistic diversity, 1.0% of the population speaks English as their first language, while a significant 95.2% speaks French. There are no residents who speak both English and French as their first language, but 3.8% of the population speaks other languages.
Lanoraie, Quebec, with its rich history and growing population, offers a unique blend of the past and the present. It is a town that has preserved its historical roots while embracing the vibrancy of modern life.
