News Releases
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC, August 24, 2007--On behalf of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mrs. Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced Parks Canada archeologists' discovery of the remains of Champlain's living quarters, built inside Fort Saint-Louis in 1626.
"With the festivities surrounding the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City fast approaching, I am pleased with this significant discovery, a reminder of the visionary spirit of the founder of Quebec City. Indeed, Samuel de Champlain built his living quarters in a strategic location that later became the place of residence of most of the governors under the French and English Regimes. Today, millions of visitors strolling on the boardwalk of the Dufferin Terrace enjoy the exceptional views that appealed so much to Champlain and his successors," said the Honourable Josée Verner.
The base of the foundation's southwestern corner was buried in nearly six metres of earth, and concealed under the remains of later constructions. The discovery was part of the latest series of excavations under the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk, in the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site of Canada.
This find provides archaeologists with information about the building Champlain died in, back in 1635. The discovery of what could be considered "Champlain's last home" is highly significant. It adds to previous discoveries of many objects from the same period and of other vestiges that reveal the features of the early Saint-Louis Forts.
This discovery shows that the Dufferin Terrace is simply an expanded version of the terrace built by the founder of Quebec City. The governors who came after Champlain all maintained this terrace behind Château Saint-Louis. Therefore, the Dufferin Terrace could be seen as a legacy from the founder of Quebec City.
The discovery of Champlain's living quarters follows many previous finds from the on-going archaeological digs at the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site of Canada, which began in June 2005. In 2008, the site will be open to the public for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.
Information:
Odette Allaire
Marketing and Communications
Québec Field Unit
Parks Canada
418-648-3844
