Boischatel

Boischatel is a town of 8,200 people (2021) on the east of Quebec City, in the Quebec Region of Quebec. The village lies along the North Shore of St Lawrence River and faces the Île d'Orléans. It is the gateway to the Côte-de-Beaupré.

Apart from the two golf clubs, Parc de la Chute Montmorency, recreational tourism activities along the St. Lawrence River and local businesses, the town is mainly residential.

History
Boischatel was incorporated in 1920 from part of the territory of L'Ange-Gardien. The beginning of the colonization of this area began around 1664. Its territory corresponds to the stronghold of Charleville. Agriculture used to be the main economic activity, with about twenty farms. Then its economy diversified in the 19th century thanks to its hydraulic power: notably the Patterson saw and the Dominion Textile spinning mill. Then came the development of a hydroelectric power station at Montmorency Falls. At the start of the 20th century, the Montmorency-Charlevoix railway served as rail transport with the industries of Sault-Montmorency and the city of Quebec.

Before November 23, 1991, this municipality was designated "Saint-Jean-de-Boischatel".

Geography
The municipal territory includes plateaus arranged in stairs and sandy valleys between the Laurentians to the north and the St. Lawrence River. Montmorency Falls is located partly in Boischatel.

The heart of the municipal territory is the Royal Quebec Golf Club. The municipal territory is generally wooded.

By car

 * From Quebec City (17 km, time: 19 min), take Highway 440 eastbound to Boischatel, then take Côte de l'Eglise; Royal Boulevard (westbound); rue Bédard (northbound); chemin des Mas (eastbound); rue des Rochers (northbound); River Street (West).
 * From Montréal (279 km, time: 2 hr 53 min), take Autoroute 20 eastbound to Quebec; Highway 73 North; Highway 40 East to the Boulevard des Chutes exit (route 360) which becomes Boulevard Royal in Boischatel; take rue Notre-Dame (northbound); take rue des Onyx to rue des Marais.

By bus

 * Operates a daily route between Baie-Comeau and Montreal including stops in Forestville, Tadoussac, Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Siméon, La Malbaie, Clermont, Saint-Hilarion, Baie-Saint-Paul, Saint-Tite-des-Caps, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Boischatel, and Quebec City. Trips toward Baie-Comeau start from Quebec City and do not include a stop in Montreal.

Get around
Boischatel is crossed from east to west by avenue Royale (route 360) and by boulevard Sainte-Anne (route 138) which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. While in the north-south direction, the municipality is crossed by rue Notre-Dame, rue des Saphirs, rue des Rochers and boulevard Trudelle.