Habitation de Québec

The Habitation de Québec is an archaeological site in Old Quebec showing remains of the first permanent French settlement in North America. Excavations have uncovered timber structures and stone foundations situated near the St. Lawrence River that reveal the original layout of the colony.

Samuel de Champlain founded this settlement in 1608 as a fur trading post, initiating French colonization of North America. The colony expanded in the 1620s with new structures including storage buildings, residential quarters, and a chapel.

The site reveals how early settlers lived day to day, from what they ate to how they conducted trade with local populations. These discoveries show the social networks and economic activities that shaped the colony's foundation.

The site is accessible year-round with guided tours that explain colonial architecture and artifacts recovered during excavations. Tours help visitors understand these objects in the context of how they were originally used and positioned.

The site has yielded tiny objects like bones, pottery fragments, and coins that paint a detailed picture of the colonists who lived here. These small finds often tell more revealing stories than the larger structures and expose personal habits and trade connections.

Location: La Cité-Limoilou

Architects: Samuel de Champlain

Part of: Old Quebec

GPS coordinates: 46.81290,-71.20250

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46