Skip to main content
In the mid-19th century, many of Québec City’s elite chose to build their lavish residences on the cliffs and other promontories around the city. The famous artist John Philip Bainbridge painted this watercolour in 1841. It shows the view from the residence of Québec City’s command engineer.
1840 - 1857

Around Québec City

Charlesbourg, Beauport, Sillery and Cap-Rouge are all names that, today, conjure up images of Québec City’s suburbs, but they were still distinct communities in the 19th century. Though they continue to follow their own course through history and have their own distinct identities, their history is nonetheless intimately linked and parallel to that of Québec City. As the city grew and industrialized in the 19th century, these communities remained largely agricultural and French-speaking. Some English-speaking aristocrats did, however, develop estates there. This album takes you on a tour around Québec City at the time!

View of Québec City from the command engineer’s residence, 1841

John Philip Bainbridge In the mid-19th century, many of Québec City’s elite chose to build their lavish residences on the cliffs and other promontories around the city. The famous artist John Philip Bainbridge painted this watercolour in 1841. It shows the view from the residence of Québec City’s command engineer.
Chronoscope Can you identify the man this piece refers to? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 983-47-102 - Date: 1841