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In 1960, a grand reception was held in honour of Charles de Gaulle. Hosted by the provincial government, the state dinner took place at the Château Frontenac, with Premier Antonio Barrette and other guests of honour in attendance. During his tour of Quebec in 1960, the French president made mostly ceremonial visits surrounded by officials, well out of reach of the crowds of everyday people.
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 at the Château Frontenac

Auteur inconnu In 1960, a grand reception was held in honour of Charles de Gaulle. Hosted by the provincial government, the state dinner took place at the Château Frontenac, with Premier Antonio Barrette and other guests of honour in attendance. During his tour of Quebec in 1960, the French president made mostly ceremonial visits surrounded by officials, well out of reach of the crowds of everyday people.
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