Happy 400th, Quebec City!

Posted by Susanna McLeod Jul 6, 2008

July 3, 1608, Samuel de Champlain and his crew set foot on land from small boats, having left their ships in Tadoussac. The area was deserted by that time: the village of Stadacona had been destroyed, the Iroquois had abandoned the area, some surmise due to native nation wars. Champlain set to work building a fort he called “L’Habitation” and a moat. He and his crew made contact with nearby natives and made themselves as much “at home” as possible in the new world. These were the inauspicious beginnings of a city that would become one of Quebec's and Canada's treasures.

The celebrations of Quebec City’s 400th Anniversary are a year-long event that began on December 31, 2007 will continue to the end of 2008. The festivities hit a high note in July, but as Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there will be no shortage of events all year long.

Bonne Fête, Quebec City! Your founding was the beginning of what has become a beautiful, vibrant city, part of an exceptional province in a wonderfully distinct country.