Cap-Rouge, Quebec

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Cap-Rouge is located in central Quebec, Canada on the Saint Lawrence River within Quebec City. Originally a town on its own, Cap-Rouge was incorporated within Québec City in 2002 and is now part of the Borough of Laurentien. Population (2002): 14,163.

History

Jacques Cartier attempted to create the first permanent European settlement in North America at the location of present-day Cap-Rouge in 1541. Named Charlesbourg-Royal, the settlement barely survived its first winter due to harsh weather and attacks from neighbouring Huron tribes and was abandoned in June 1542.

Re-occupied with the French colonisation effort of the 1600s, the area was used for agricultural activities until the 1960s when residential developments took over and transformed the area into a residential suburb of Québec City.

Attractions

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Apart from a long history, the main attraction of Cap-Rouge is a rail-only steel bridge named "Tracel" built in 1907-1908. Gustave Eiffel, from whom the Eiffel Tower takes its name, participated in the project. Constructed by the CN as part of the Winnipeg-Moncton trunk, the steel bridge spans 3 335 meters at an average of 172 meters above ground and is still in use today.

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