Parcs Parks Canada Canada The fortifications of Québec City development concept Tabic of contents Foreword 3 Introduction 4 The City and the Fortifications 4 Why fortify Québec ? 4 Preserving the Fortifications 5 The Fortifications of Québec : a slow evolution6 The French Period 6 The British Period 7 The Canadian Period 7 The Present Situation 8 Development 10 Concept and Objectives 10 Proposals 11 Conclusion 19 Glossary 20 Cover illustration : «La porte Saint-Louis», Sernpronius STRETTON, c. 1806. Photo: ARC. Published by Parks Canada under authority of the Honourable John Roberts, Minister of the Environment. Parks Canada Publication No QS-S101-0OOBB AE c Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1980 Catalogue im R64-105 2-1980 ISBN 0-662 50835-1 2 FOREWORD Québec can be considered a unique city in North Since 1971, Parks Canada has been working exten­ America. Not only is it one of the few cities to have sively to restore the fortifications, worn with age, been fortified, it is the only one that has conserved and to prevent the walls from further deterioration. In the principal elements of its defence system. These conjunction with these measures, an intensive fortifications, tangible proof of the key role Québec research and study programme was undertaken in City played first as capital of New France then of order to achieve a better understanding of the defence British North America, recall the important people, system in Québec. More recently, a general concept places and events which marked our country's and various proposals have been put forth concerning history. the development of this historic site for the benefit of present and future generations. Thus, it is of utmost importance that this inheritance be preserved and passed on to future generations. This summary, an abridged version of the provisional The geographical attributes of the site, coupled with master plan, is intended to acquaint interested the remarkable style of architecture and the existence individuals and groups with the objectives and key of the fortifications, create a unique ensemble. The ideas proposed by Parks Canada for the development deterioration of the walls or their environment in any of the Québec City Fortifications national historic site way would undoubtedly constitute an unrecoverable in accordance with Canadian government guidelines loss. and with Parks Canada policy. Although the strong ties which link the fortifications to the city's history justify protecting them, it unfortu­ nately cannot ensure it. Therefore, concerted action on the part of all interested parties, according to their particular areas of jurisdiction, is essential in order to guarantee the preservation of this monument by urging a steady, coherent development of the "old" city. 3 Introduction The city and the fortifications Why fortify Québec ? Preserving the fortifications From the earliest days, in order to protect their harvest The fortifications of Québec City are not a unique example foodstocks and keep their people and belongings safe, The first defensive works built in New France — simple in the world. Several cities, especially in Europe, have inhabitants would fortify their collectivities. Cities defended palisades of wooden stakes around the dwellings — were managed to preserve all or parts of the vestiges of their by stockades or ramparts became gathering places in case originally meant to protect against possible attack from the fortified enclosures. Nevertheless, various factors linked to of attack, and often a fort or citadel served as the ultimate indigenous people. However, it quickly became obvious that, urban growth and "progress" have brought on the refuge. considering the strategic location of Québec, it would be destruction of most of the defence works that at one time necessary to defend the gateway to the continent, protect protected cities. Defence systems, initially situated in elevated or strategic its port and transform this administrative and cultural as Québec City did not escape this trend unscathed for places, eventually had to be modified as more powerful and well as commercial capital into a stronghold. destructive weapons were invented. Artillery development in between 1870 and 1880, after many petitions from particular greatly changed the defence systems of cities First the French, especially from 1690 on, then the British, merchants and the local population, the defensive system assuming an important military role. First, walls were made from the Conquest until they left in 1871, bestowed upon underwent major changes. For example, city gates were thicker to better withstand cannon fire, then, in order to Québec a complex defence system of which a large part is demolished, outworks were levelled, the wall overlooking the keep the enemy artillery as far away as possible, a series of still intact today. cliff was lowered, etc. Lord Dufferin, Governor-General at outworks were constructed in front of the walls. that time, stepped in to put an end to this destruction, and thus, the main parts of the fortifications network have been The principles of the bastioned fortification had been applied preserved. since their conception in the 16|h century. As perfected by the French engineer Vauban, they were used to defend Today, Québec can claim not only to be the single fortified cities until the middle of the 19th century. It was during this city in North America, it can also boast of some of the long period that the fortifications of Québec City were built. largest, best preserved defensive works in the world. Québec City circa 1745, Public Archives o/ Canada 4 5 The Fortifications of Quebec a slow evolution The French Period 1693 1701-1713 Hastily built for short term purposes With the dawn of the 18th century, New The site of Québec City, perched on a only, the defensive works of town-major France officials undertook the construc­ headland surrounded by an abrupt cliff, Provost did not last long. However, the tion of the first permanent fortifications was early recognized as a natural engineer Beaucours was appointed by an earthen rampart covered with fortress. The narrowing of the river at Frontenac to put up a new entrenchment masonry — again, to insure better this spot facilitated the control of with a palisade including two stone gates protection of the west side. The work movement above this point. — the first Saint-Louis and Saint-Jean began in the Cap-aux-Diamants sector. gates — and to complete two stone Two bastions and a demi-bastion were 1608 1624 works: du Cap redoubt3 and du Moulin completed (project of Levasseur de Néré) The first permanent construction, cavalier * both increasing firing power on as well as the Redoute Royale (project of Champlain's Habitation ' situated near the west side of the city. Beaucours)5. However, the treaty of the shore, was surrounded with a Utrecht signed between France and palisade. A few years later, the first Fort England in 1713 made the defence of Saint-Louis was also enclosed by a Québec City less urgent and work was palisade banked with earth. The suspended in 1720. Because this Habitation and Fort Saint-Louis cons­ fortification was incomplete, Beaucours' tituted the major defensive strongholds of old enclosure had to be conserved. the city at that time. A battery was built to defend the harbour and port. 1745-1754 Tire fall of Louisbourg in 1745 aroused 1634-1691 fear amongst the administrators and After the construction of these work on the west side of the fortifications temporary works, the military engineers was started up again. up until 1690 each brought along slight improvements. Aware of the weakness of The enclosure was built according to the the west flank of the city, and expecting plans prepared by Chaussegros de Léry, attack from the English Phipps, town- more or less in the same shape and trace major Provost took the initiative, in the that exist today. The wall, stretching absence of Governor Frontenac, to build from the heights of Cap Diamant to the a palisade flanked by ten stone redoubts. Côte du Palais, included three gates : Saint-Louis, Saint-Jean and du Palais, as 1691-1692 well as a dozen posterns. It is situated Two batteries were built to complete the farther out than Beaucours' enclosure in defence of Lower Town : the Batterie order to include the heights of the Cap Royale, which was recently reconstructed inside the walls, and at the same time, by the Ministère des Affaires culturelles, allow for urban expansion. and the Batterie d'Hazeur'. 1. Where Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church is located today. 2. On the site of îlot Fargues. 3. Inside the present-day Citadel. 4. At the end of Mont-Carmel Street. 5. On the Morrin College site, Saint-Stanislas Street. Engineer Beaucours' enclosure, 1693, PAC 6 The British Period The Canadian Period 1759-1779 1871-1873 After the conquest, the British inherited Tire growth of the city and traffic these incomplete fortifications lacking problems led to the demolition of Saint- outworks in certain places. Because of Louis and Prescott Gates in 1871, then in economic restraints at that time, they 1873, of Hope and du Palais Gates. had to be satisfied with simply repairing the west rampart. The wall skirting the top of the 1779-1783 escarpment on des Remparts Street was Agitation in the American colonies and lowered. the War of Independence prompted the new colonial authorities to build a 1873-1939 temporary citadel on the heights of Cap Lord Dufferin, the Governor-General of Diamant. Canada, intervened to put an end to the destruction. This constituted one of the 1786-1812 first attempts in Canada to preserve and In 1786, Hope Gate was constructed at develop its national heritage. The plan the foot of Côte Sainte-Famille, and in envisaged the restoration of the Lord Dufferin.