Chemin you Roy

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The Chemin du Roy ( French for "King's Road") is a historic street in the Canadian province of Québec . It runs along the north bank of the Saint Lawrence River and connects Repentigny (near Montreal ) with the city of Québec . The road is 280 kilometers long and essentially follows today's Route 138 .

history

In 1706, the Great Council (conseil supérieur) of the French colony of New France decided to build a road that would connect the settlements on the north bank of the Saint Lawrence River. The construction work, which began in 1731, was under the direction of the road builder (grand voyer) Eustache Lanouiller de Boisclerc. When it was completed in 1737, the road was 280 kilometers long and 7.4 meters wide; it led through 37 manors (seigneuries) . Back then, the Chemin du Roy was America's longest street north of the Rio Grande .

In winter the road, which had 24 (later 29) post stations, was unrivaled, as no steam ships could operate on the frozen St. Lawrence River. After the opening of railway lines (1854 on the south bank, 1879 on the north bank), the Chemin du Roy lost its importance. Today its course largely corresponds to that of Route 138.

Places at the Chemin du Roy

Directional sign for the Chemin du Roy in Quebec City

From west to east:

Web links