The parish of Saint-Pierre was founded in 1679. Over the centuries its territory has served a commercial, agricultural and residential purpose and stretches from the embankment to the top of the cliff, running along the slopes that lead half way up the Mitan road (a road in the middle) which divides the island in half. Saint-Pierre has two churches, a newer one built in 1955, and the oldest rural church in the province of Quebec, built around 1717.
It is the most populated village on the island and is renowned for its traditional cheese production, formerly known throughout the province by cheese lovers as "le fromage Aubin" and soon to be officially produced and sold under the name of "le fromage de l'Île".
Moreover, Saint-Pierre is also the home of one of the most renowned French Canadian poets of the 20th century, Félix Leclerc, who lived on the island for twenty years. You can learn all about his life and work at Espace Félix Leclerc which was built in his memory and is also open to the public for shows and other events.
