Fête de la Ville de Québec

Quebec City celebrates 417 years of existence and 40 years as heritage site

Cassandra Kerwin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

cassandra@qctonline.com

On July 3, Quebec City celebrated its 417th anniversary since French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded the New France colony in 1608. This is also the 40th year since the historic walled district of Old Quebec was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

To begin the festivities, at 11:15 a.m., dignitaries, residents and visitors gathered for the official ceremony in the Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville. As Old Quebec City is recognized as the only walled city in North America with a functioning military citadel, built by the British between 1820 and 1831, and home of the Royal 22e Régiment since 1914, members of the regal regiment and its band opened the ceremony with a colourful parade, including Bâtisse the goat, the regiment’s official mascot. This was followed by speeches, MCed by re-enactors portraying Samuel de Champlain and former mayor Jean Pelletier (1977-1989).

“Every summer, Quebec City’s anniversary is a unique occasion to assemble and to vibrate to the rhythm of our city,” said Mayor Bruno Marchand. “Whether it be in one’s district or in the heart of the Old City, I invite you to celebrate together what makes Quebec City strong: its energy, its creativity and its spirit of community. Together, we have preserved our heritage and our historic district. It is in our DNA to care for and promote our unique heritage.”

If it weren’t for pioneering city councillors and businessmen in the 1960s, the Old City of Quebec might have been lost to history. Under Mayor Jean Pelletier, they restored and preserved the historic district, and applied for the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, which it received in 1985. In 2017, under Mayor Régis Labeaume, the city was recognized for its unique cultural presence in North America and received its second UNESCO title as a Ville de Patrimoine Culturel, part of the Réseau des Villes créatives. Under Marchand, the city has applied for its third UNESCO designation as an international Biosphere Region.

To celebrate Quebec City’s culture, history and heritage, numerous free activities took place throughout the city.

Starting at Place d’Armes, guides led groups on tours around the Old City, recounting facts about the people and structures that marked its history and society. City Hall was open to visitors during the afternoon. Celebrations continued in the different districts of Quebec City during the late afternoon and early evening.