Colombier

Discover Colombier, Quebec: A Historical and Cultural Gem

Colombier, a charming municipality in the Canadian province of Quebec, is nestled in the Côte-Nord region and the regional county municipality of La Haute-Côte-Nord. This picturesque town is conveniently located along Route 138, approximately 60 kilometres south-west of Baie-Comeau. Colombier encompasses the population centres of Sainte-Thérèse-de-Colombier, Les Îlets-Jérémie, and Saint-Marc-de-Latour.

The Rich History of Colombier, Quebec

The history of Colombier, Quebec, dates back to the mid-19th century when logging activities began. However, the real development of the area was triggered by the economic crisis of the 1930s. During this period, government authorities encouraged the resettlement of the unemployed by opening the area for agriculture.

In 1932, the construction of a sawmill led to the formation of Saint-Marc-de-Latour. The Parish of Sainte-Thérèse-des-Colombiers was established in 1935, the same year pioneers set up 20 camps and built the road along the Saint Lawrence River. The post office, initially designated as Rivière-Colombier, opened in 1937. The name was derived from the Colombier River, a tributary of the St. Lawrence that flows through the municipality.

The Municipality of Colombier was formed in 1946, named after the river, which in turn was named after Charles-Roger des Colombiers (1628-1687). Colombiers was a fur trader, citizen, and alderman of Quebec, who had been granted a fief in that territory in 1677.

Demographics of Colombier, Quebec

The population of Colombier, Quebec, has experienced a slight decline over the years. In 2016, the population was 685, a decrease of 8.3% from 2011. The population in 2011 was 747, which was an 8.6% decrease from 2006. The population in 2006 was 817, while in 2001, it was 890. In 1996, the population was 947, and in 1991, it was 973.

The number of private dwellings occupied by usual residents is 343, out of a total of 376 dwellings. The mother tongue of the residents varies, with 1.8% having English as their first language, 96.3% having French as their first language, and 1.8% having other languages as their first language. None of the residents reported having both English and French as their first language.

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