Welcome to the Port of Québec Historical Rally!

Welcome to the Port of Québec’s sixth Historical Rally! Visit the 10 rally stations spread over our port grounds and learn about the Port’s beginnings, its fascinating history and how the purpose of its various sites has evolved.

You also get a chance to win one of the prizes provided by our generous sponsors: - Access to the thermal experience at Strøm Spa - A family pass for Onhwa’ Lumina, offered by Tourisme Wendake - An excursion on the St. Lawrence River for two people valued at $150 from Excursions Maritimes Québec - A one day voucher for the Musée de la civilisation Enjoy the Rally!

You are currently on the site that played an emblematic and highly important role in the history of Québec and Canada: the Port of Québec.

For millennia before the Europeans arrived, many nations inhabit “Canada”. Through diplomatic alliances, these nations establish immense trade networks, allowing them to obtain products they lacked in exchange for the surpluses they produced, such as corn flour or skins to make clothes. During his expeditions (1534, 1535-1536 and 1542), Jacques Cartier interacts with the Iroquoians, particularly with the people living in the village of Stadacone, near present-day Québec City, and Hochelaga, near Montréal.

The Wendat and Haudenosaunee consider these Iroquoian peoples as their ancestors. However, it isn't until the beginning of the 17th century that an alliance is formed between the First Nations and the Europeans, allowing the latter to integrate the commercial networks of their allies. Québec then becomes one of the poles of diplomacy and trade, two inseparable factors for the First Nations.

The Huron-Wendat traditionally refer to the St. Lawrence as the “Great River”.

The Europeans sense the territory’s potential in fish and fur upon their arrival, and begin a rich and profitable fur trade between the French and the First Nations. Even if its annual value is minimal compared with that of North Atlantic cod fishing, the fur trade is New France’s economic engine. Many stakeholders are involved in this lucrative trade, the most important being the First Nations allied with the Europeans. Because of their commercial networks, these Nations facilitate the collection, preparation and transport of furs from distant territories to Québec, where they are exchanged for European products.

Therefore, during most of the New France period, Québec's economy is based on the fur trade. However, this economic activity will experience a reversal at the end of the 18th century, when the British will introduce the timber trade.

Sources: ● Le Port et la Ville de Québec : indissociables ! Fondation Monique-Fitz-Back et Administration portuaire de Québec, 2016 ● Vieux-Québec, Cap Blanc : Place forte et port de mer, Québec : Ville de Québec, 1989 ● https://www.museedelhistoire.ca/musee-virtuel-de-la-nouvelle-france/activites-economiques/traite-des-fourrures/ ● Ahchiouta’a raconte les Hurons-Wendat du Saint-Laurent, 2018. ● A’kwatatia’ Nous parlons : Le territoire de la Nation huronne-wendat : Des origines aux luttes contemporaines, 2022.