The Saq New France Festival

By Ron Stern

For the past 15 summers, Quebec City has honored its roots with the SAQ New France Festival.

Initiated in 1997 as part of the city’s 400th anniversary celebration, the Festival consists of five days of parades, dances, shows, and more than 1,000 artistic events in and around the fortified area of Old Quebec.

Farmers, soldiers, merchants, and farm animals all co-mingle i this picturesque maze of narrow cobbled streets and Colonial architecture, many assuming alternate dentities as 17th and 18th century commoners, members of the bourgeoisie or the nobility.

Rough woolens, fine silks, dapper waistcoats, long, knitted stockings affixed to garters, powdered wigs and muskets are just some of the traditional garb Festival participants wear, recreating the time in this capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec when the first Europeans arrived on American soil and clothing
determined social status in what was then the New France.

Quebec City history
Quebec City is the second most populous city in Canada, after Montreal. More than 600,000 residents call this oldest walled city in North America home, and millions of tourists visit each year.

The city was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, who was, among other things, a cartographer and mariner. Champlain is the father of New France for whom the New France Festival is named, and Quebec is
considered the cradle of French civilization in North America.

The city itself is situated on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, and the word “Quebec” is derived from a word meaning “where the river narrows.” One can see this narrowing from several vantage points overlooking the river.

UNESCO has designated World Heritage status to this charming city, owing primarily to the Historic District of Old Quebec. This district is divided into the Upper Town, which is typified by fortifications, a citadel and
ancient ramparts, and the Lower Town, which expanded around the harbor and the Palace Royale.

In its early history, Quebec was well protected and fortified by a wall that encompassed its borders. Today, the ramparts of Quebec City are the only remaining fortified city walls in North America. The closest others are in Mexico.

Artillery Park, with its impressive bulwarks, was an integral part of the city’s defenses and served as the main barracks for the soldiers. During the Festival, you can find all manner of characters hanging out there, including a musketeers’ camp.

During the late 17th century, France placed the New France colony under the control of King Louis XIV. Under the king’s administration, the colony flourished, attracting farmers, tradesmen, merchants, and laborers.

Modern Quebec attractions
Of course, there’s more to Quebec City than the New France Festival. From great food to arts and culture, there are many attactions to explore, including a museum devoted to bees, a 10,000 marine animal aquarium, golf courses, parks, and more retail shops than you will probably have time to visit.

You can also take in a performance by Cirque du Soleil (based in Quebec), which has been described as a combination of circus arts and street enterainment. More than 100 million people have seen at least one show, and while you’re visiting you won’t want to miss the opportunity. The performances are truly spectacular!

Even if you think you’ve watched a movie on the big screen, you haven’t seen anything like The Image Mill. Imagine a group of grain silos almost 1,000 feet wide by 100 feet tall, the equivalent of 25 IMAX screens, making it the world’s largest projection screen.

Now picture a 3D projection on these silos featuring four centuries of the history of Quebec with depth and music and you’ll have some idea of how innovative the technology is and why it attracts thousands of viewers each performance from late June through September. The stunning 50-minute presentation can be seen all the way to the Levi’s store on the south shore of the St. Lawrence.

Quebec City is a lot easier to get to than it used to be in the good old New France days. Daily flights arrive from major gateways, and, according to tourism bureau statistics, an amazing 99 percent of visitors say locals warmly received them. Whether you visit during the New France Festival or at any other time of the year, you’ll love this friendly old city on the river.