Lévis

Lévis is a Canadian city located in the province of Quebec, on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River, in front of Quebec City. It has the powers of a regional county municipality and is the most populated city in the administrative region of Chaudière-Appalaches. Lévis is part of the Quebec Metropolitan Community. According to the census of 2006, the population of Lévis ascended to 138 769 inhabitants, which turns it into the eighth most populated city of Quebec, and the thirty-fourth of the country.

Lévis is the economic centre of Chaudièere-Appalaches, with important commercial, industrial and institutional activities. It extends its influence to the regions of the south bank of San Lorenzo, formerly as a fluvial and port link, now as a junction of roads and railways. The manufacturing industry is important, especially in Saint-Nicolas. The transport by truck was developed in Saint-Nicolas. Although Lévis is an important city, it has long agricultural spaces, with an important culture of strawberry to the west.

Although it is a relatively small city, Levis is not a typical suburb. The presence of several large employers has allowed many citizens to live and work in Lévis. It is the home of the Ultramar refinery, one of the largest in eastern Canada, Frito-Lay and Davie Shipbuilding is located in the Lauzon area (ancient city). A subsidiary of the Desjardins Group, Desjardins Financial Securities is headquartered in the city. Desjardins founder, Alphonse Desjardins, lived in Lévis and ran with his wife, Dorimène Roy Desjardins, the first Caisse Populaire (similar to a savings and credit cooperative) from his home. The city is also an important centre for agricultural business research and development. More and more high-tech companies, such as Creaform (3D), are establishing themselves in Lévis.