Artist Cockburn painted a striking portrait of Québec City’s Place du Marché in front of Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica in 1829. Locals and shopkeepers came together to do business, illustrated here by the horse-drawn carriages and stalls. An indoor market was built in the 19th century. Others started up near docks or railway stations to facilitate the transport of livestock.

1801 - 1832

Québec City’s marketplace in the early 19th century

The first market in Québec City opened in Place Royale in 1649. As the city’s population grew and the economy expanded, at least a dozen markets sprung up in the 19th century. These included the Place du Marché in Québec City’s Upper Town. This market became a strategic meeting place for town and country folk alike, to conduct business, stock up on goods and exchange the latest news. At first held out of doors, it eventually moved into an indoor market building. Ready to go shopping?

Place du Marché, Québec City, summer 1829

James Pattison Cockburn Artist Cockburn painted a striking portrait of Québec City’s Place du Marché in front of Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica in 1829. Locals and shopkeepers came together to do business, illustrated here by the horse-drawn carriages and stalls. An indoor market was built in the 19th century. Others started up near docks or railway stations to facilitate the transport of livestock.

Chronoscope Can you identify any other buildings? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1829

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. R9266-140 - Peter Winkworth Collection of Canadiana - Date: 1829

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