Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada

Visitor Information

On-line visit

Click and discover!

Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada. © Parks Canada / Xavier Bonacorsi

Are you someone with a taste for adventure? Are you looking for out-of-the-way places? Would you like to travel back in time to the 16th century? Then, do like Jacques Cartier before you: start navigating! Discover the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada, and relive the thrilling history of his voyages of exploration.

• The Interpretation Centre
• The Amerindian Site
• A Québec Green Area
• Activities

The Interpretation Centre

The interpretation centre. © Parks Canada / Sophie Grenier / 123/00/PR7/SPO-00127

The interpretation centre offers you an exhibit illustrating Jacques Cartier's three voyages and his encounter with Amerindians. Special emphasis is placed on the French navigator's second voyage, as the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic site of Canada is located at the junction of the Lairet and Saint-Charles Rivers, the very spot where Cartier and his crew wintered in 1535-1536. Take time out to taste annedda, the Amerindian cedar tea that cured Cartier's sailors of scurvy.

The centre also features a magnificent 1:20 scale model of a 16th century merchant ship similar to that used by Jacques Cartier during his second voyage. This model was created based on the vestiges of a 16th century ship found during underwater archaeological excavations at Red Bay, Labrador.The establishment on the site, in 1625-1626, of the first Jesuit missionary residence, that of Father Jean de Brébeuf, is also highlighted.

An amerindian longhouse. © Parks Canada / CD-3963-12

The Amerindian Site

Surrounded by a stake palisade is an Amerindian longhouse hailing from another time and another world. There you will discover the customs of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians encountered by Jacques Cartier. You will be charmed by the colourful Amerindian garden, where the "three sisters"—corn, beans and squash—all grow. Rows of tobacco and sunflower enhance this special setting, where Nature has seen fit to sow a number of local wildflowers and plants.

A Québec Green Area

The pond at Cartier-Brébeuf. © Parks Canada / CD-3963-68

The Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada is an oasis of greenery in the centre of the city. It is an enjoyable place to come and relax in all seasons. The walking paths and the scenic lookouts all provide an exceptional view of Québec's Upper Town and an opportunity to admire the vast variety of colourful plants lining the river. Monuments, an interpretation kiosk, public benches and a stage for cultural shows complete the outdoor site.

Activity on the earth creation legend of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians. © Parks Canada

Activities

In the company of dynamic, seasoned guide-interpreters, come take part in a whole range of entertaining interpretation activities. Whether you come as a family, in a group, or alone, you will be impressed by the selection of visit options: guided or recreational tours, craft demonstrations at the Amerindian site, interactive workshops, educational activities and cultural shows. Your stay at the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada will be the high point of your day.

Community, municipal and economic partners have joined the National Historic Site to offer activities to complement Parks Canada's mandate.