Tour - part 3
Next we drive to the village of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. I didn't find the area's terrain, vegetation or buildings particularly appealing. It was a bit rundown-looking. Worst of all, power lines run right through it.
Outside
You wind along a country road and then, all of a sudden, a giant church pops out of nowhere. It's quite a sight.
One could use a wide angle lens here.
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in North America. I read that about a million and a half people visit each year. I think this Basilica is the fifth building on this site. The first church was built here in 1658.
Even here is an interesting fountain.
Copper doors made by the Albert Gilles copperworks outfit we had just visited. Inside
A Mass was going on when we entered. Our camcorder makes enough noise as it is, so I didn't dare use the flash. A tripod would have helped. When the organ played, the booming music was quite stirring! 
Above: Note the crutches on the pillar.
Some of the designs had a bit of a 60's look, I thought.
Glenn found an archive section in the basement of the church which showed the construction of this building. He knows more about this so I will let him explain: We were informed that it was built in the same manner as the Empire State building in New York, starting with a steel framework. Then granite blocks were used to finish the exterior. But the most amazing thing is that this huge structure rests on sand! So how does it survive earthquakes? Apparently a huge concrete slab, many feet thick and extending well beyond the boundaries of the church was first poured, covering the sand. Then the church was built on this solid base. When earthquakes occur from time to time, other buildings in the area are affected but the massive church rocks serenely on its mighty bed of concrete. A mind-boggling piece of engineering.
Around the grounds
Other buildings were on the grounds.
Several sculptures were on the hillside among the trees.
Those mural-happy Quebecers. This picture was taken from the bus somewhere around the church, I believe. 
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