The parish of Sainte-Pétronille was created from part of Saint-Pierre. The first Jesuit missionary order came to the island in 1651 and established a mission of Huron Indians who had fled their homeland after being attacked by the Iroquois.
Sainte-Pétronille's morphology and topography did not lend itself to farming and in the second half of the 19th century the village became a fashionable summer resort, populated by mostly English-speaking Quebecers who were charmed by the site with its romantic landscapes and its renowned microclimate.
The tip of Sainte-Pétronille was soon dotted with charming cottages and villas, each one more charming than the other. The English influence is felt in the layout of the gardens and in the landscapes. The Anglican community grew in number and three years before Sainte-Pétronille was established it had built an Anglican chapel. Not long after, the Catholic Church felt threatened and erected a more imposing church placing it on the tip of the point. The only way to visit Sainte-Pétronille and take in all its hidden charm is on foot. To this end, a walking tour leads visitors all around the village indicating the points of interest.
