Cap-de-la-Madeleine is a former city in Quebec, Canada at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice River and the St. Lawrence River. It was amalgamated into the City of Trois-Rivières in 2002. Population (2006 census) 33,022.

History

Cap-de-la-Madeleine was founded March 20, 1651. The establishment was named by Jacques de La Ferté, who was abbot of Sainte-Madeleine de Châteaudun in France. The city is famous for its basilica, Basilique Notre-Dame du Cap, dedicated to Our Lady of the Cape. The Basilica receives thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year. Pilgrims are drawn to the site because it is considered to be the place where two miracles were performed by the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first being the Miracle of the Ice Bridge (1879) and the other being the Miracle of the Eyes (1888). The first official pilgrimage occurred in 1883 and consisted of roughly 150 people who travelled to the location by foot. The site is considered the first pilgrimage site in North America, excluding Mexico. During World War II the Royal Canadian Air Force built and operated No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Cap-de-la-Madelaine. The school opened on October 14, 1940 and closed on February 11, 1944. The airfield was located in what is now a residential area near rue Saint Maurice and rue de Grandmont (46.38333°N, -72.51667°W) The inhabitants call themselves Madelinois and Madelinoise.

Other interesting sites

Notable people from Cap-de-la-Madeleine

Mediagraphy

In addition to the general works on Trois-Rivières and Mauricie, here are some books specifically on the Cap-de-la-Madeleine: