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Efforts to preserve Québec City’s fortifications began in the 19th century with Lord Dufferin, then governor-general of Canada. In 1872, he halted the demolition of the walls of Old Québec, thus starting the process to preserve the city’s military heritage. Nearly a century later, these same fortifications earned Québec City a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
1887 - 2017

Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1985, the historic district of Old Québec was added to the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In doing so, UNESCO recognized Old Québec as a site of exceptional interest for humanity! This prestigious nomination helps make Old Québec a leading international tourist destination. It also requires Quebec and Canadian authorities to pursue their long-standing efforts to preserve this shared heritage. We have come a long way since Lord Dufferin’s first restoration projects on the historic ramparts in the 1870s!

Lord Dufferin, a pioneer in preserving Québec City’s fortifications

George Bishop Engraving and Printing Co., Montréal Efforts to preserve Québec City’s fortifications began in the 19th century with Lord Dufferin, then governor-general of Canada. In 1872, he halted the demolition of the walls of Old Québec, thus starting the process to preserve the city’s military heritage. Nearly a century later, these same fortifications earned Québec City a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Chronoscope Can you identify these fortifications? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Image from the June 1887 edition of The City of Quebec Jubilee Illustrated newspaper - Date: 1887