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In 1960, Charles de Gaulle visited Université Laval, where he delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of French-language intellectual activity in Quebec. He encouraged dialogue to be foster between Quebec and French universities. In this photo, he is surrounded by political and religious representatives as he signs the university’s guest book.
1960 - 1967

Charles de Gaulle’s visit to Québec City

French president Charles de Gaulle visited Québec City three times. In July 1944, he came as head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, just one month after the Normandy landings. In April 1960, de Gaulle was welcomed to the city by Premier Antonio Barrette at a time when the province was Catholic and conservative. De Gaulle returned to Québec City in 1967, at the height of the Quiet Revolution, to tour the province by car. His trip ended in Montréal where he pronounced his famous “Vive le Québec Libre!” (long live a free Quebec). Three visits, three different eras!

Charles de Gaulle signing the Université Laval guest book

Auteur inconnu In 1960, Charles de Gaulle visited Université Laval, where he delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of French-language intellectual activity in Quebec. He encouraged dialogue to be foster between Quebec and French universities. In this photo, he is surrounded by political and religious representatives as he signs the university’s guest book.
Chronoscope Can you name any of these people? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Québec Provincial Publicity Bureau - Jean Pelletier Fonds - Date: 1960-04-20