All in the family
A family-owned business based on repoussé, the art of
metal embossing, Albert Gilles Copper Art Studio and
Museum in Chateau-Richer, Québec preserves the history
of the founder and patriarch of the family, Albert Gilles. Born
in Paris in 1895, Gilles learned copper embossing from his
aunt and brought his skills to the U.S. in the 1930s.
He fi rst created works of art for automotive executives
in Detroit and the rich and famous in California. When Pope
Pius XII commissioned Gilles to create an ornate chalice of
gold and silver to commemorate the 300th anniversary of
Montréal, Gilles immigrated to Canada and turned his talent
toward religious subjects. One of his most famous works is
Bon appétit
Québec City offers more restaurants per capita than any
other city in North America. It has its own culinary identity
that combines formal French cuisine with rich, meat-heavy
Québec staples. In Montréal you can try local delicacies
such as smoked meat or tarte au sucre (sugar pie) made
with Québec’s famous maple syrup. At Saint-Benoit Abbey
in the idyllic town of Saint-Benoit-Du-Lac, you can observe
the monks producing many varieties of fresh cheese.
Palmyre Gilles and family Smoked meat in Montréal
Notre-Dame de Québec Ermitage Sainte-Antoine
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Visit SanctuairesQuebec.com to learm more about Québec’s
National Shrines.
the main door of the Shrine of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, an
intricately embossed all-copper door that depicts Biblical
scenes.
“Our studio and museum offer visitors the
opportunity to see artisans carrying on
a family tradition started by my father 91
years ago,” explained Palmyre Gilles. At
the museum guests can see how copper
is mined, and at the studio can watch
Palmyre Gilles
Palmyre’s sisters and niece create new
works of art in copper. “Christorama” is an exhibit of her
father’s 50 hand-embossed copper panels depicting the life
of Jesus Christ.
Ermitage Sainte-Antoine de Lac-Bouchette
This shrine was founded in 1907 and is located 250 miles
north of Québec City in a scenic landscape of evergreens
and rolling hills. Visitors can take a guided tour, visit the
museum, hike parts of the Kapatakan trail or simply enjoy
the tranquility of nature surrounding this shrine.