St. Brieux is a charming town nestled in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is conveniently located near Highway 368 and Highway 779, north of the village of Lake Lenore. The town is situated on the eastern shore of St. Brieux Lake, with the St. Brieux Regional Park and Golf Course adjacent to its west side. As one of the few French-speaking communities in Saskatchewan, St. Brieux offers a unique cultural experience.
St. Brieux was founded in 1904 by immigrants from Brittany, France. The town was named in memory of Saint-Brieuc, France, the origin of many settlers. The influx of families from France continued until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Between 1908 and 1920, American settlers, many of whom were descendants of French Canadians who had earlier immigrated to the United States, arrived in St. Brieux. From 1911 to 1923, the area welcomed people of Hungarian and Italian descent, along with English-speaking settlers, mainly from Ontario.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St. Brieux had a population of 638 living in 250 of its 268 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -4.3% from its 2016 population of 667. With a land area of 2.56 km2 (0.99 sq mi), the town had a population density of 249.2/km2 (645.5/sq mi) in 2021.
St. Brieux boasts several attractions that reflect its rich history and culture. The St. Brieux Museum, established around 1919, is designated a Municipal Heritage Property under Saskatchewan's Heritage Property Act. The St-Brieux Catholic Church features stunning stained glass windows by Rault Frères from Brittany, France. The town's largest employer, Bourgault Industries Ltd., also operates the St. Brieux Airport.
Adjacent to the west side of St. Brieux, on the eastern shore of St. Brieux Lake, lies the St. Brieux Regional Park. Founded in 1972, the park is home to a fresh water, spring-fed lake that flows into the saline Lenore Lake. The park offers a campground, golf course, picnic area, beach, hiking trails, mini golf, and historic sites. It was awarded the regional park of the year in 2013.
The campground is nestled in a forest of aspen and offers modern amenities such as electrical hookups, modern washrooms, coin-operated showers, and a sewer dump. A beach for swimming and a boat launch for lake access are also available. The lake is home to a variety of fish, including walleye, northern pike, and perch.
The park is located on the site of the former Roman Catholic Rectory, built around 1918. It also features municipal and Roman Catholic cemeteries, a replica of the first church in St. Brieux, and a monument to the original settlers. The St. Brieux Regional Park Golf Course is a 9-hole course with grass greens, offering a par 35 with 2,875 total yards. The course also features a licensed clubhouse, pro shop, and rentals.
