Séminaire de Québec

The Séminaire de Québec is a Catholic seminary in the old town comprising several stone buildings with classical architectural features positioned on an elevated site. The complex includes various structures arranged around courtyards and features a museum collection of religious objects and documents.

François de Laval founded this institution in 1663 as the first formal Catholic training center in New France. It became foundational in establishing religious institutions and structuring colonial society across the French territories.

The seminary shaped Catholic priest training in Quebec and remains central to religious education in the region. Its buildings and collections reflect how faith and learning developed together over centuries.

The site can be explored through guided tours offered daily with access to museum collections. Wear comfortable shoes as visits involve walking through several buildings and courtyards with uneven surfaces.

The institution has continued serving its original purpose for more than 360 years, still training priests while functioning as a protected monument. This duality makes it a living place of learning rather than merely a historical artifact.

Location: La Cité-Limoilou

Inception: 1663

Founders: François de Laval

Part of: Old Quebec

Address: 1, rue des Remparts, Québec (Québec) G1R 5L7

Website: https://seminairedequebec.org

GPS coordinates: 46.81475,-71.20519

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52