A parade of tall ships was held on June 30, 1984. On their route, the 60 or so sailboats passed under the Québec City bridges. This photo shows a U.S. Coast Guard ship passing under the Québec Bridge. This narrow passage has long been known as one of the most difficult places to navigate on the St. Lawrence River.

1984 - 1984

All sails out for Québec 84!

Québec 84 was a public celebration held in summer 1984 to mark the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Canada. For the occasion, the Port of Québec and the adjacent neighbourhood were renovated with boardwalks and public spaces for tourists. The event did not attract the large international crowds its organizers were expecting, despite more than 60 tall ships visiting from several countries. Québec 84 nonetheless left a legacy: the Transat Québec–Saint-Malo sailing race between Québec City and France that has been held every four years since. Come and watch it yourself!

The St. Lawrence River’s narrowest passage

Auteur inconnu A parade of tall ships was held on June 30, 1984. On their route, the 60 or so sailboats passed under the Québec City bridges. This photo shows a U.S. Coast Guard ship passing under the Québec Bridge. This narrow passage has long been known as one of the most difficult places to navigate on the St. Lawrence River.

Chronoscope What are your memories of this event? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1984

OPEN