title: Chesterville, Quebec
text: # Chesterville, Quebec
  
  Chesterville is a municipality in the Arthabaska district of the Centre-du-Québec (Bois-Francs) region of Quebec, on Route 161 approximately 130 kilometres (81 mi) northeast of Montreal.
  
  ## Geography
  
  The town's mountainous terrain in the heart of the Canadian Appalachians has earned it the nickname of "Quebec's little Switzerland," and boasts a picturesque location adjacent to the northern Nicolet river.
  
  ## History
  
  The first settlers to the area arrived in 1835, but colonization actually began in spring 1849 with the establishment of a Catholic parish.
  
  ## Demographics
  
  The principal source of income in Chesterville is agriculture and forest exploitation.
  
  ## Attractions
  
  The free annual Symposium L'Accueil des Grands Peintres (art symposium) attracts many art lovers and features exhibits, artist conferences, workshops, local fare, and other cultural activities.
  
  «Clairière - Art et Nature» is a 2 km forest path and natural amphitheatre dedicated to Professional site specific visual arts and musical concerts. Annual week-ends events are presented in August and September; they are open to the public.
  
  