Samuel de Champlain memorial

MonumenttoSamueldeChamplain_2

MonumenttoSamueldeChamplain_1

MonumenttoSamueldeChamplain

This monument honours Samuel de Champlain, who founded Québec City, served as governor of New France, and was the first European to explore the Great Lakes. It is situated on the Dufferin Terrace near to the Château Frontenac.

One of the tallest structures in the city, this majestic monument looms over the bustling throng of visitors and locals who frequent this area of Old Québec.

Activities at the Samuel de Champlain Memorial

• On a nice summer evening, take in the performances of street performers.
• Take pictures of the renowned Château Frontenac, which serves as Québec City’s mascot.
• Take a stroll along the Dufferin Terrace and take in the expansive vista of the St. Lawrence River below.
• Take the funicular down to Lower Town’s Petit-Champlain Quarter.

The monument honouring Samuel de Champlain’s history

The Titanic survivor and architect Paul Chevré created this monument in 1898. On this project, he had worked with the architect Paul-Alexandre Le Cardonnel. The first Saint-Louis Château, constructed in 1647 by Charles Huault de Montmagny, Champlain’s successor as governor, located about where the monument was placed.

The monument’s base is built of limestone that was extracted from the same quarry as the stone used to construct well-known buildings like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Champlain is depicted in his forties on the statue. He is holding a cavalier hat with a plume in his right hand and numerous rolled credentials in his left.

Unbeknownst to many, there isn’t actually a known authentic portrait of Champlain, so the sculptor undoubtedly drew inspiration from another portrait from the same era.

The bronze’s high relief depicts a woman, the personification of Québec City, writing down significant historical events in a book; a child to her right stands in for the science of navigation; and Victory, with wings outstretched and a trumpet to her lips, stands above to proclaim the greatness of this unflappable explorer.