History of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Québec, Canada

French explorer Jacques Cartier encountered the island and its inhabitants in 1535,
during his second voyage to the New World. Accompanied by two indigenous interpreters, Cartier was welcomed by the inhabitants and was gifted fish, millet and melons. At the time, he called it Isle de Bascuz (Bacchus) because of the abundance of grape vines he saw there. Less than a year later, however, he referred to the island as Île-d'Orléans, in honour of Henri II of France, then Duke of Orleans.
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1624 - January 3, 1624 - Founding of New France's First seigneuries at Cap Tourmente and Ile-d'Orleans.

canadachannel.ca/ todayincanadianhistory/ index.php/ January_3

1648 - Huron country destroyed, Hurons relocated to ile D'Orleans

www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ province/ pqztimeln.htm

As of 1666, Île-d'Orléans was inhabited from one end to the other. According to a census conducted that year, the population was 471, making it one of the most populated areas of New France.
The island was divided into five main areas, which eventually became parishes: Sainte-Famille (founded in 1661), Saint-Pierre, Saint-François, Saint-Jean (all founded in 1679) and Saint-Laurent (founded in 1698). A sixth parish, Sainte-Pétronille, was founded in 1870.
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1675 - The first church in Saint-Jean was built in 1675
The parish of Saint-Jean is located on the southern shores of the island. Construction began on the first parish church circa 1675, but as at 1683 it was still not completed.
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In 1675, the seigneurie on the island was ceded to François Berthelot under the name "Île et comté de Saint-Laurent" (island and county of Saint-Laurent).
Called alternatively Île-d'Orléans and Île-Saint-Laurent, the latter name fell out of usage as of 1770.
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On April 6, 1676, Île d’Orléans became a county divided into four burgs: Saint-Pierre, Saint-Jean, Sainte-Famille and Saint-Paul (renamed Saint-Laurent in 1698).

tourisme.iledorleans.com/ en/ ile-d-orleans/ history-of-ile-d-orleans

1678 - The parish of Saint-Jean was officially founded in 1679.
The parish of Saint-Jean was erected by Mgr François de Montmorency Laval, first bishop of Quebec, in 1678. Already before 1683, the first church was erected there. It was made of wood, and it was the very first church on Île-d'Orléans.
grandquebec.com

1680 - Mission Founded
The area [Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans] was first colonized early in the 17th century. In 1680, a mission was founded and served by the priest of Sainte-Famille.
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1714 - Parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was formed
In 1714, the Parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was formed and became a civil parish in 1722. It is believed that this name commemorates Jean de Lauson, Seneschal in New France and son of Governor Lauson, born circa 1620 and killed at the mouth of the Maheu River in 1661 by the Iroquois. Nevertheless, it could also be attributed to John the Baptist in line with the many other religious toponyms on the island.

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1734 - The Manoir Mauvide-Genest was constructed in 1734 by Jean Mauvide, a young surgeon in the King’s army who became Lord of the manor in 1752. (Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans)

www.manoirmauvidegenest.com/ en/

1759 - In the summer of 1759, Île d’Orléans was evacuated prior to the arrival of the Royal Navy and the English troops under the command of General Wolfe.
He established a military camp on the island to keep watch on Quebec City and the channels of the St. Lawrence River. The buildings on the island were nearly all razed after Wolfe’s defeat on July 31 at L’Ange-Gardien. Only a few homes were spared.
tourisme.iledorleans.com/ en/ ile-d-orleans/ history-of-ile-d-orleans/

1832 - The Parish of St. Jean Baptiste,
by a regulation of Sept. 20, 1721, confirmed by an Order in Council, Mar. 3, 1722, is 2 1/ 4 leagues along the South Channel, extending from and including the house of Andre Terrein to Riviere Maheu, comprehending all the lands in this space to the middle of the island. - In this parish are farms of various sizes, from 3 front arpents down to half an arpent, but none so large as six front arpents by 30 in depth. All the lands were conceded before 1759, and there being none unoccupied, many persons, who are desirous of making new settlements, are prevented from doing so near their relatives and friends, and would therefore settle elsewhere if they had the means. Not a single parishioner has migrated to the townships, for the mode of concession there practised is not agreeable to them. The old farms are too much divided, and the number of small emplacemens on barren soils are continually incresaing; and their occupiers carry on trades without a knowledge of scarcely the first elements;... Read MORE...

1839 - The schooner La St. Laurent, was lost in a terrible storm on the river. Twenty-one sailors lost their lives, 17 of them from the parish of Saint-Jean, sending the entire village into mourning.

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1859
JEAN-DE-BAPTISTE (Saint), a parish and village of Lower Canada, in Orleans island.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

In 1861, the village had a population of 1,433. Similar to Saint-Pierre, most heads of households were farmers. The rest were navigators and artisans.

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1873
ST. JEAN D'ORLEANS, a post village and parish in Montmorency co., Que , on the Island of Orleans, 22 miles below Quebec. Pop. 1,436.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1895 - Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
Saint Jean d’Orléans, a post-village in Montmorency co., Quebec, on the Isle of Orleans, 22 miles below Quebec
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Saint Jean d'Orleans, a post-village of Montmorency co., Quebec, on the Isle of Orleans, 19 miles below Quebec.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1956 - Religious Drowns Near St. Jean
St. Jean, Que., July 10 - Guy Rheault, 20-year-old member of the order of the Brothers of Christian Schools, was drowned yesterday while swimming in the St. Lawrence River near this Ile d'Orleans village. He was swimming with another brother.

Searchers found the body three hours later. A coroner's inquest will be held.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Rheault, his parents, live near Nicolet.
The Montreal Gazette
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
July 11, 1956

Its current name of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans was not adopted until 2003.

grandquebec.com

2023 - There are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans and the surrounding area. Here's a list:
Maison de nos Aïeux (Ancestral Home): Start your journey by visiting this historic house museum. Learn about the island's early settlers and their way of life.

Église de Saint-Jean: Admire the beautiful architecture of the Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans Church. Its stunning interior and picturesque surroundings make it a great spot for photography.

La Seigneurie de l'Île d'Orléans: Explore this historic estate with its well-preserved buildings, lush gardens, and scenic views of the St. Lawrence River. Don't forget to sample local products at the on-site shop.

Les Chocolats de l'Île d'Orléans: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to this chocolate shop. Try their delectable creations and take some treats home as souvenirs.

Vignoble de l'Île d'Orléans: Enjoy a wine tasting experience at this vineyard. Sample local wines and take a guided tour of the vineyard to learn about the winemaking process.

Parc Maritime de Saint-Laurent: Discover the maritime history of the region... Read MORE...