What’s the
Celebrate Québec city in its major historical role…
Thanks to its historical and entertaining atmosphere, its numerous activities for gourmets and its 400 shows, reenactments and lectures, the Fêtes de la NouvelleFrance festival celebrates with both pomp and humour the historical period that gave to Québec city its major role in the history of the continent. Hundreds of artists, crafters and interpreters bring life to this rich cultural heritage. Festive, historical, gastronomical are thus the three words that summarize the idea behind this festival.
This year, exploration, celebration and discovery reign supreme!
At the Festival, you will be immersed in the New France era: 18thcentury soldiers stand guard as merchants do business on the shopping streets. There’s no better reason to savour summer every day thanks to the great barbecue and to numerous local products tasting kiosks. And why not celebrate lovely summer evenings to the sound of our music shows at the TD Stage?
A bit of history
1534 – Discovery of Canada by Jacques Cartier
New France was founded during the age of the great European discoveries in the 16th century. On a voyage of exploration, Frenchman Jacques Cartier landed in North America and “discovered” the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The territory was already populated by indigenous peoples, who called the land “Canada.” In 1534 Cartier erected a cross at Gaspé and claimed Canada in the name of the king of France.
1608 – Quebec founding by Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain, considered the founder of New France, built a habitation in what would later become Québec City, making it his base for trade and other economic ventures. French colonists began to settle in the St. Lawrence Valley and Acadia.
1620-1670 – Establishment of the first cities
The early settlers played a major role in New France’s development by introducing newcomers from France to the land, climate, and the aboriginal nations who made North America their home. As European explorers ventured further and further afield, trade thrived and new towns and trading posts sprang up.
Early 18th century – French North America reached its peak
Its boundaries had expanded considerably to encompass over half of the continent, extending all the way from Hudson Bay to Louisiana, and including a goodly portion of the presentday Maritime provinces, the entire St. Lawrence Valley, the Great Lakes Basin, and the Mississippi Valley.
1713 – Treaty of Utrecht
The British colonies, already a threat, became too populous and encircled New France. In 1713, France ceded Newfoundland, Acadia, and Hudson Bay to England under the Treaty of Utrecht.
1760 – Conquest of New France by England
New France was conquered in 1760 and handed over to England once and for all three years later under the Treaty of Paris. Only Louisiana remained in French hands, but it too was ultimately ceded to the United States in 1803.
Word from our elective officials
Message from the Ministers
Welcome to the 2017 New France Festival!
For more than 20 years, this festival has invited us to travel back in time to the days of the European settlers’ arrival in the Americas and their first meetings with Indigenous Peoples. It lets us learn more about that era through presentations and historical re-enactments, performances of all kinds, family activities, and tastings of local food products.
As we celebrate Canada 150, this festival is an opportunity to return to the roots of the Canadian Francophonie and highlight the immense contribution Francophones have made to our country.
The Government of Canada is pleased to support the New France Festival. This cultural experience boosts tourism in Québec City, increases the region’s visibility both at home and abroad, and stimulates the local economy.
We would like to thank the organizers, artists and volunteers who have brought this year’s festival to life.
The Honorable Mélanie Joly
Minister of Canadian Heritage
The Honorable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Message from the mayor of Québec City
The cradle of French-speaking civilization in North America, and a world heritage treasure, Québec City offers you a unique voyage back into its history at the 21st edition of the New France Festival.
Following the return of the tall ships, more than 400 years after the arrival of the first French navigators, this event lets you explore the day-to-day life of our ancestors through a diversity of activities of a recreational or cultural nature, or relating to cuisine. It is therefore with great enthusiasm that I invite you to participate in this distinctive and festive event.
The New France Festival brings the promise of interesting discoveries and shared enjoyment!
Régis Labeaume
Mayor of Québec City
The Corporation
Corporation des fêtes historiques de Québec was set up by the municipal authorities in fall 1996 to create a popular festival with a historical flavor. The result is the creation of a notforprofit organization and an executive committee that today boasts 10 members and governs the New France Festival.
Boards of directors
Benoît Bernier – PRESIDENT
Nathalie Gilbert – VICE-PRESIDENT
Responsable marketing, communication et évènements
OSEntreprendre
Yanick Santoire – TREASURER
CPA, CA, MBA
Associé BDO Canada
Dominic Bédard – SECRÉTAIRE
Associated director
Cochon Dingue Lévis
Gisèle Bourdeau – ADMINISTRATOR
Director assitant, physiotherapy program
Université Laval
Marie-Louise Pineault – ADMINISTRATOR
Consultante en gestion des entreprises Transicio.com
Yves Beauregard – ADMINISTRATOR
Editor-in Chief and Director of the history journal Cap-aux-Diamants
Marie-Dominic Labelle – ADMINISTRATOR
Directrice Société du patrimoine urbain de
Québec Îlot des Palais
Philippe Morisset – ADMINISTRATOR
Lawyer at Joli-Cœur Lacasse S.E.N.C.R.L.
Marlène Lyane Richard- ADMINISTRATOR
Marketing and Events Strategist / Public Relations
Productions Star Mundo / Mundo Medias
Bianca Drapeau – ADMINISTRATOR
Key Account Manager
De Marque
Alexandre Naud- ADMINISTRATOR
Étudiant à la maîtrise en Archéologie profil géomatique
Université Laval
François Barrette- ADMINISTRATOR
Entreprise-Architect
COFOMO