Albert Gilles Copper Art: A Hidden Gem on Quebec’s Côte-de-Beaupré

Updated: Aug 2026

If you’re driving from Quebec City towards Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, there are plenty of places demanding your attention. Montmorency Falls. The countryside. The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

And then there’s a rather unassuming little building in Château-Richer that you could very easily drive past without giving it a second glance.

That would be a mistake.

Because behind it is the world of Albert Gilles, a French-born master craftsman who spent his life turning sheets of copper into works of art.

I stopped at Albert Gilles Copper Art during my trip around Quebec, and while I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as an art connoisseur, I found the whole process fascinating. This wasn’t just a museum where you look at things from a safe distance and nod thoughtfully.

We got to try it ourselves.

Which, as it turns out, was considerably harder than it looked.

What is Albert Gilles Copper Art?

Albert Gilles Copper Art is an art studio, museum and boutique in Château-Richer, on Quebec’s Côte-de-Beaupré.

The family business was founded by Albert Gilles and has been working with copper repoussé, or copper embossing, since 1927. Today, five women from his family continue the tradition, creating decorative pieces while preserving the technique that Gilles spent his lifetime mastering. The site now includes two museums, exhibitions about copper and Albert Gilles’ work, a boutique and opportunities to try copper repoussé yourself.

What makes it particularly interesting if you’ve just visited, or are about to visit, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is that Albert Gilles created the impressive copper doors of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

In fact, his work can be found in more than 35 churches across North America.

So yes, this tiny little stop on the side of the road has a rather more impressive history than its exterior lets on.

The man behind the copper art

Albert Gilles was born in Paris in 1895 and was introduced to the art of repoussé by his aunt when he was just 12 years old.

After World War I, he continued developing his artistic skills and eventually crossed the Atlantic. His work took him through Detroit and California, where he worked with wealthy clients and even spent time as a set designer for Universal Studios. He later moved to Canada and became known for his religious artwork, decorating churches, basilicas and cathedrals with everything from doors and Stations of the Cross to tabernacles and baptismal fonts.

One of his most remarkable works was a series of 50 hand-embossed silver panels telling the story of the Life of Christ. It took him 15 years to complete and is now part of the Christorama exhibition at Albert Gilles Copper Art.

Not bad for someone who once said:

“I am not an artist, just an artisan.”

Albert Gilles died in 1979, but his wife, daughters and granddaughter continued the work. Today, five women from the Gilles family carry the tradition forward.

What is copper repoussé?

Before visiting Albert Gilles Copper Art, I had never heard the term repoussé.

It sounds complicated, and honestly, it kind of is.

Copper repoussé is a technique in which a design is created by working the reverse side of a sheet of metal, gradually pushing and shaping it to create a raised image on the front.

At Albert Gilles Copper Art, we watched how the technique worked before being handed our own piece of copper and some tools.

And that’s when things got interesting.

Because watching someone who has spent years mastering a craft make something beautiful look easy is one thing.

Trying to do it yourself is another matter entirely.

Trying my hand at copper repoussé

Although I love looking at art, I am not what you would call an artistic person.

My grandmother did most of the art-and-craft projects I was assigned in school. I hope none of my ex-teachers are reading this.

So naturally, I wasn’t expecting to walk out of Albert Gilles Copper Art having discovered some previously unknown artistic talent. We were each given a piece of copper and shown how to create our own design.

Here are the three attempts: my cousins’, my brother’s and mine.

I’m not telling you which one is mine.Hint: it’s the best one.

The interactive copper workshop is still offered at Albert Gilles Copper Art, so you can now have a go at repoussé yourself. The experience includes creating a small copper artwork after a demonstration of the technique.

The copper doors of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

One of Albert Gilles’ most famous works can be found just further along the Côte-de-Beaupré.

The magnificent copper doors at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré were created by Albert Gilles.

When I visited the basilica, I remember being struck by the sheer amount of detail inside the building. There are mosaics, stained-glass windows, sculptures and paintings everywhere you look. But knowing the story behind the copper doors makes you appreciate them differently. You’re no longer simply looking at an impressive entrance to a basilica. You’re looking at the work of a man who dedicated his life to a craft that his family is still keeping alive almost a century later.

Albert Gilles also created religious works for dozens of other churches across North America, including doors, tabernacles, Stations of the Cross and other decorative pieces.

What can you see at Albert Gilles Copper Art?

The attraction has grown since my visit and now offers more than simply a look at the family’s copper creations.

There are two museum spaces where you can learn about copper itself, the history of the craft and Albert Gilles’ life and work. One of the exhibitions, Christorama, includes the 50 silver panels that Gilles spent 15 years creating to tell the story of the Life of Christ.

You can also see examples of the family’s decorative work and browse the boutique, where their creations range from decorative objects and plates to lamps, clocks and jewellery.

If you’re feeling more ambitious than I was, you can take part in a copper repoussé workshop and leave with your own creation.

Just don’t blame me if it doesn’t look quite as good as you imagined.

Is Albert Gilles Copper Art worth visiting?

I think so.

This isn’t one of those massive attractions where you’ll spend an entire day. It’s more of a fascinating stop while exploring the Côte-de-Beaupré.

And that’s exactly why I liked it.

The Côte-de-Beaupré is full of places with big names and spectacular views. Montmorency Falls is impossible to miss. The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is grand and dramatic.

Albert Gilles Copper Art is quieter.

But there is something lovely about discovering a family that has spent generations preserving a craft most of us know absolutely nothing about.

The fact that you can actually see how the work is done — and even try it yourself — makes it more memorable than simply walking through another museum.

It’s also a particularly good stop if you’re interested in local art, Quebec craftsmanship or religious art, especially if you’re visiting the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

How to visit Albert Gilles Copper Art from Quebec City

Albert Gilles Copper Art is located in Château-Richer, along the Côte-de-Beaupré, between Quebec City and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

The Côte-de-Beaupré itself is worth exploring rather than rushing through. The region follows one of North America’s oldest roads and is filled with historic homes, churches, farms, local producers and artisan studios.

You can easily combine Albert Gilles Copper Art with:

• Montmorency Falls
• Canyon Sainte-Anne
• The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
• a drive along the Route de la Nouvelle-France

That’s essentially the kind of day we had, and I think Albert Gilles Copper Art works best as part of a larger Côte-de-Beaupré itinerary rather than as a standalone trip from Quebec City.

Visiting Albert Gilles Copper Art: Practical Information

Address: 7450 Boulevard Sainte-Anne, Château-Richer, Quebec, Canada.

Distance from Quebec City: Around 15 minutes from downtown Quebec City, depending on where you’re staying and traffic.

What you’ll find: An art studio, two museums, exhibitions about Albert Gilles and copper, a boutique and copper repoussé workshops.

Admission: Currently free.

How long should you spend here? Allow around 30 minutes to an hour for the visit. Add extra time if you’re doing the copper workshop.

Opening hours: Hours vary seasonally, so I’d check the official Albert Gilles Copper Art website before visiting. The attraction is currently listed as open year-round, with seasonal schedules.

Best combination: Montmorency Falls → Albert Gilles Copper Art → Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré would make for a very nice day exploring the Côte-de-Beaupré.

I went to Albert Gilles Copper Art expecting to look at some nice copper artwork. Instead, I came away with a much greater appreciation for just how much patience, precision and skill goes into creating it. And, more importantly, with photographic evidence that I should probably leave the art to the professionals.

If you’re driving from Quebec City towards Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, make a stop. You might just find yourself looking at a sheet of copper in a completely different way.