New France Festival - Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France

Festival Location: Quebec, Canada

Festival Type(s): Historical Festivals, Cultural Festivals

New France Festival - Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France Media:

New France Festival Transports Visitors Back in Time

By: © Bob Brooke 2009

As I make my way down a crowded narrow street away from the Place Royale in Old Quebec, a young girl, dressed as a scullery maid, her blouse smeared with dirt, looks up shyly at me from the street corner much as she might have done in 18th-Century Quebec. Not far from her, two couples, dressed in elegant brocades, chat, the husband of second couple gently kissing the hand of the first woman with a hardy "Enchanté." If I didn't know better, I'd have sworn I had been transported back in time to the beginnings of this beautiful city. But here I am standing amidst crowds of animated people, many of whom are dressed in 17th and 18th-century costumes. For this is Quebec's renowned Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France, or New France Festival.

For five days over the first weekend in August, Old Quebec truly returns to the 18th Century, as an estimated 9,000 visitors and a staff of over 400 roam the cobbled streets dressed in costume, enjoying the food and entertainment that makes this part of North America so unique. The New France Festival helps to celebrate Quebec's rich heritage that lives on in the French Canadian culture of today.

The first New France Festival took place in August 1997 when the City of Quebec invited event specialists Gestev Inc. to bring a taste of colonial life back within the walls of the Old City. For the last 7 years, the festival has celebrated a different theme and added new features and attractions. For 2004, "Industry and Trade" is the focus of this hugely popular - and now much larger - event.

The period from 1731 to 1744 was generally felt to be an economic golden age. At that time, Gilles Hocquart, the colony's 14th Intendant, greatly stimulated industry, notably agriculture, lumber, shipbuilding, and metal working, specifically with the Forges du Saint-Maurice. He had the Chemin du Roy (King's Highway) built, which greatly facilitated trade and transportation. Visitors to the festival in 2004 will be able to attend a session of the Conseil, held by the influential businessmen of the colony, and discover what happened backstage, in the wings of power.

One thing has remained constant in the heritage of Quebec City: It has always been the heart and soul of the French in North America. From all over Quebec, and from Acadia, Canada, and the United States, people of French heritage return to be immersed in French history and culture during the Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France.

When Champlain founded Quebec City in 1608 following Jacques Cartier's instructions, he intended it to be a center for the newly established fur trade. The city became the main training center for the new colony and the gateway to the North American continent. By the mid-18th Century, Quebec City had become the capital of a vast territory that occupied two-thirds of North America stretching from Acadia to the Rocky Mountains, and from Hudson Bay through the Great Lakes to Louisiana.

As I walk the streets, I mingle with seigneurs, nobility, peasants, clergy and even condemned criminals. I stop to observe the trial of one of them and then the poor man's execution by hanging. The crowd jeers and then cheers as his lifeless body hangs from the scaffold and the executioner glares. It's all in fun as part of the theme of Justice in Old Quebec, the festival's theme in 2003.

Fifteen sites host the over 1,000 activities, available to everyone for the modest price of a $5 (Canadian) medallion that's worn around a visitor's neck. A small army of musicians, singers, dancers, street performers, storytellers and costumed pioneers transform Old Quebec into its original New France days. There's even a parade of 16-foot papier maché giants, including Captaine Vaillant, Monsieur de Taillon and Nicolas dit Noble Coeur that appears every day at different locations throughout the festival.

I found continuous entertainment throughout the festival at Montmorency Park as well as in the Place Royale area, both within walking distance of each other. And to lend an educational atmosphere to the festival, there are lectures for 100-150 people at the Musee de la Civilisation along the waterfront, also included in the $5 fee.

The smells of crepes and freshly-baked bread surround me at the Marche de L'UPA, the food court of the festival, sponsored by the United Agricultural Association of Quebec and arranged on the Place du Paris like the former Champlain Market in the 18th Century. Numerous vendors sell everything from tasty patés to fresh fruit, wines, pastries, and such, all produced in the surrounding area. I use my New France money-actually tickets worth $1 Canadian-to purchase delicious apple and cinnamon crepes, washed down with a glass wine from the Ile de Orleans, an island in the Saint Laurence River.

Fifty-two family associations from all over the Province of Quebec have booths lining the narrow streets of the Lower Town. Here, visitors of French heritage can find out if they're related to a family in Quebec. Also dressed in costume, the jovial family representatives talk the ears off visitors who speak French.

A dozen different venues scattered throughout Old Quebec provide entertainment for the entire family. Special-scheduled performances have been organized into six series. The Family Series includes general family entertainment such as puppet shows that take place mostly at the Parc Montmorency, where there are games for kids, as well as a large exhibit and stage with performers from Lousiana. Cajun life endures here!

The Apera Evenement and Heritage Series feature musical performances which take place in the Cours du Petit Seminaire, the courtyard of a former seminary in the Upper Town. La Belle Musique Series highlights 17th and 18th century music while the Soirees du Gouverneur Series includes theatre. Some of these performances require tickets that must be purchased separately.

Unique to Quebec City, this picturesque festival invites everyone to slip back into history. It's possible to rent costumes at various boutiques for this fun occasion.

Check out Bob Brooke's wonderful sites featuring more of his writing and photography at http://www.bobbrooke.com, http://www.therealmexico.com and http://www.allscandinavia.com. All three are updated regularly.

by Bob Brooke

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New France Festival - Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France Dates and Location

New France Festival (Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France) take splace in Old Quebec, Canada for five days over the first weekend in August. For more information, visit the Web site at www.novellefrance.qc.ca.