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Photographs of Des Fossés Street take us back in time, before this section of the Saint-Roch district was completely redeveloped in the early 1930s. Thanks to Thaddée Lebel’s work, we can reconstruct the layout of the roads and buildings, and get a feeling for this place at the time. The area was booming and was truly the city’s commercial hub.
1920 - 1929

Thaddée Lebel, a pioneer of photography in Québec City

Québec City has inspired many a photographer. One of the best known is Thaddée Lebel. Born in Québec City in 1874, he began his career at the Livernois Studio in 1888. From 1913 onwards, he built a solid reputation as an independent photographer. The provincial secretariat and archives, the provincial exhibition commission and the City of Québec called on him to document various events. He was also the one who took the many photographs of the construction of the Château Frontenac’s central tower. His work provides precious documentation of life in Québec City from the 1920s to the 1940s. Let’s learn more about his career!

Des Fossés Street at the corner of De L’Église Street, looking West

Thaddée Lebel Photographs of Des Fossés Street take us back in time, before this section of the Saint-Roch district was completely redeveloped in the early 1930s. Thanks to Thaddée Lebel’s work, we can reconstruct the layout of the roads and buildings, and get a feeling for this place at the time. The area was booming and was truly the city’s commercial hub.
Chronoscope What do you notice in this image? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Thaddée Lebel Fonds - Date: 1929-05-06