Taken from Hawkins’s Picture of Quebec, this illustration shows the first of four Saint-Jean gates that closed off the city between 1693 and 1745. The current gate was erected in 1939, in keeping with the style of the Saint-Louis and Kent gates. Saint-Jean’s imposing stature has continued to impress ever since. It is a reminder of Québec City’s past as a military colony.

1829 - 1834

The rampart gates of Québec City in the early 19th century

Building began on Québec City’s fortifications in 1690 under the French Regime. The French sought to surround the town with ramparts to protect it from the British. The British indeed invaded Québec City in 1759. They too recognized the fortifications’ strategic value and subsequently rebuilt them. By the 19th century, Québec City residents were well accustomed to living with this military inheritance. The rampart gates were simply a part of their daily surroundings. Explore the works reflecting this period!

The first Saint-Jean Gate

Robert Auchmuty Sproule, after Alexander Jamieson Russell Taken from Hawkins’s Picture of Quebec, this illustration shows the first of four Saint-Jean gates that closed off the city between 1693 and 1745. The current gate was erected in 1939, in keeping with the style of the Saint-Louis and Kent gates. Saint-Jean’s imposing stature has continued to impress ever since. It is a reminder of Québec City’s past as a military colony.

Chronoscope What aspects of this gate, shown here in its original form, do you find particularly intriguing? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1834

Source: Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: 1834

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