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The view of Québec City in this watercolour was taken from Lévy Point, one of the first French settlements on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence. As the docked boats we see here attest, maritime activity, including fishing, flourished. The riverbanks were also ideal for shipbuilding.
1840 - 1890

The river: A flowing source of trade and industry

Thanks to its advantageous position on the St. Lawrence River, Québec City has long been a hub for Canada’s maritime traffic. Its port is particularly significant for the import and export of goods. Québec City’s economy relied heavily on the export of timber, which was abundant all around the city. This wood was used in shipbuilding, for example. Numerous other industries, such as pulp and paper, developed near the river in the late 19th century. Discover this aspect of Québec City’s past through the artwork and photos of the period!

Panoramic view of Québec City from Lévy Point

George Seton The view of Québec City in this watercolour was taken from Lévy Point, one of the first French settlements on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence. As the docked boats we see here attest, maritime activity, including fishing, flourished. The riverbanks were also ideal for shipbuilding.
Chronoscope What comments or thoughts does this image evoke for you? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1986-15-2 - Date: 1847