Saint-Alexis is a charming municipality nestled in the Lanaudière region of Quebec, part of the Montcalm Regional County Municipality. Formed by the amalgamation of the former village municipality and the former parish municipality of the same name on December 19, 2012, Saint-Alexis is one of the four municipalities of Nouvelle-Acadie. The name "Saint-Alexis" is a tribute to Canon Alexis-Frédéric Truteau (1808-1872), a significant figure in the region's history.
The parish of Saint-Alexis was established on July 1, 1855, following the dissolution of the county of Leinster. The region, located in the highlands of the Saint-Laurent plain, is about twenty kilometres north of Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, in the Lanaudière region. The name Saint-Alexis was also given to the post office established in 1855, which later became "Saint-Alexis-de-Montcalm" in 1876.
Canon Alexis-Frédéric Truteau, ordained in 1830 by Monsignor Jean-Jacques Lartigue, served as Chancellor of Monsignor Ignace Bourget from 1847 to 1872. He set the boundaries of the parish in 1852 and played a significant role in the Guibord affair. Truteau refused Christian burial to Joseph Guibord, a member of the Canadian Institute, due to a Roman decree obtained by Monsignor Bourget. This decision was later overturned by Judge Mondelet in 1870.
Acadians began settling in the territory around 1795, coming from L'Assomption, through a large number of small hills. In 1920, the village part of Saint-Alexis split from the parish to form its own municipal entity. On December 19, 2012, the parish municipality of Saint-Alexis and the village municipality of Saint-Alexis remerged to form the municipality of Saint-Alexis.
Saint-Alexis is crossed by Route 158, nestled between the municipalities of Saint-Jacques on the east and Saint-Esprit on the west. It is 20.7 km from Saint-Lin-Laurentides and 27.3 km from Mascouche. The municipality is located on the upper St. Lawrence plain, known for its fertile soil, perfect for market gardening and grain crops. The forested areas are predominantly maple, making Saint-Alexis an ideal place for maple-based products.
The two major roads, Grande-Ligne and Petite-Ligne, are home to several ancestral homes built facing south, a local characteristic. These houses reflect the rich heritage typical of Lanaudière.
Saint-Alexis is home to a vibrant community. The number of private dwellings occupied by usual residents is 554, out of a total of 581 dwellings.
The linguistic diversity of Saint-Alexis is a testament to its inclusive community. French is the first language for 96% of the population, while English is the first language for 1.5%. Both English and French are the first languages for 0.7% of the population, and other languages make up the first language for 1.5% of the residents.
