Religious Heritage
 Since the beginning of the colonisation of New-France, religion, mainly the Catholic religion, has shaped Quebecers' culture and way of life. When Europeans arrived in North America, they first tried to evangelize Natives. Some succeeded, but most the Aboriginal people have kept their own religions.
Religion in New-France has greatly contributed to the organisation of the colony. It has had an important influence on the inhabitants until about the 1960s. As more and more people immigrated in New France and later on in Quebec, other religions appeared, like the Protestants. Today, about 85 % of Quebec's inhabitants are Catholics, while 5 % are Protestants.
Luckily, our rich religious heritage is still very present. Visitors can visit churches, chapels or massive basilicas, like the Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec, or the Basilique Notre-Dame in Montréal. Some important pilgrimage sites can also be found in the province, like the Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Côte-de-Beaupré, or the Oratoire Saint-Joseph in Montréal. Monasteries and abbeys are also religious sites, like the Abbaye Saint-Benoît-du-Lac in the Eastern Townships or the Monastère Vierge Marie la Consolatrice in the Laurentides.
Numerous convents and chapels recall the importance of the religious communities in the establishment of the colony. The Ursulines in Québec or the soeurs hospitalières in Montréal have largely contributed, by their teaching or caring, to the well-being of the colony.
Don't hesitate to enter the numerous religious cult sites in the different regions of Quebec. You will see brilliant works of art like the beautiful stained-glass windows or the outstanding sculptures on the walls.
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