Saint-Aubert is a charming municipality nestled in the heart of Quebec, specifically within the L'Islet Regional County Municipality and the Chaudière-Appalaches administrative region. This picturesque town is part of the Côte-du-Sud federal electoral district, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Strategically located between St-Jean-Port-Joli and Saint-Damase-de-L'Islet, Saint-Aubert is a stone's throw away from the southern coast of the Saint Lawrence River. It's approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Quebec City, making it an accessible destination for both locals and tourists.
The landscape of Saint-Aubert is characterized by its rolling plateaus and hills, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Near the village, you'll find a part of the Notre Dame Mountains, an extension of the Appalachians. The stunning Three-Salmon Lake (Lac Trois-Saumons) is also a must-visit, with its basin cut from the whiteness of quartz.
Saint-Aubert's history dates back to 1857, a year after it was established as a parish. The municipality was formed from the southern part of St-Jean-Port-Joli, and it was named in honour of Saint Aubert of Avranches, a French bishop and the founder of what later became the Mont Saint-Michel.
However, the name also pays tribute to Philippe-Joseph Aubert de Gaspé, the lord of St-Jean-Port-Joli. Despite his controversial past as a lawyer and sheriff of the Québec district, where he was found guilty of significant misappropriation of funds and imprisoned in 1838, he made significant contributions to the region. After moving to Quebec City in 1842, he spent his summers in St-Jean-Port-Joli and published regionally-renowned books Anciens Canadiens (1863) and Mémoires (1866).
The economy of Saint-Aubert thrived under his influence, tripling in agriculture, holiday-making, and maple syrup production. The construction of Elgin road (now known as Route 204) from St-Jean-Port-Joli to the Canada–US border shortly before his death further facilitated the development of Saint-Aubert and other villages in the Côte-du-Sud.
Saint-Aubert's development as a holiday-making destination began in 1904 with the opening of a fishing camp called Camp Maria-Joseph on Lac Trois-Saumons by the Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours fishing club. The lake's abundant fish, particularly trout, attracted families from around the area, especially from nearby L'Islet, further cementing Saint-Aubert's reputation as a charming and vibrant destination.
