French is spoken in Quebec due to its historical roots as a French colony. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City, and the region became part of New France. Over the years, French settlers established communities, and French became the dominant language.
And, when the British took control of Canada in 1763, the Quebec Act of 1774 allowed the French-speaking population to retain their language, religion, and legal system. Today, French remains the official language of Quebec, preserving its cultural identity.
Québec: A Brief History
The Province of Quebec is 1,700,000 square kilometers in size, almost three times the size of France. The British Parliament passed the Quebec Act in 1774, and one of the results of this was that it gave French Canadians more civil and religious freedom.
In the past 150 years, Quebec has made numerous attempts to gain independence from Canada, the most recent of which failed in 1995.
First People
The earliest known inhabitants of Quebec were the Inuit Indians. They are thought to have migrated from Asia thousands of years ago.
Laying Claim
The king of France, Francis I, wanted to lay claim to the area, so in 1534 he sent explorer Jacques Cartier. Cartier claimed the territory in the name of France, laying the roots for a future European stronghold.
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The Name
In 1608, French explorer Samuel de Champlain landed in a place the local Indians called Kebec. He soon founded a trading post in the area, and before long, the thriving post became known as Quebec City.
English Invasion
During this era in history, England and France were at odds with each other. This dispute spread to the North American continent. Both countries strove to gain control of Canada, fighting over lands and resources. In 1629, the English had driven the French back into Quebec and proceeded to force their surrender.
However, England and France had peace during the final days of the conflict, and when news reached Canada, the province of Quebec was given back to France.
The French Influence on Quebec’s Identity
The architecture, the history, the arts, the cuisine all are reminiscent of France – well except for the dubious poutine. You can’t blame the French for that miserable concoction consisting of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curd.
Despite its strong French flavor, Quebec City is a melange with strong Amerindian accents. The French may have settled in Quebec, but they occupied lands already inhabited by Amerindians and the Inuit. Those cultures have been preserved and blended into modern Quebec City.
The only fortified city north of Mexico on the North American continent, Quebec has all the quaint historic touches one would expect in a centuries old settlement in the old city ringed by modern development.
For the Quebec City tourist, wandering through Old Quebec City on foot is a visual delight. Art stalls reminiscent of Paris abound. Stylish boutiques display fashionably-attired mannequins. Cafes serve up café au lait and French cuisine from crepes to croissants to foie gras and duck confit.
While the Quebec City population is bilingual, French is the dominant language, the one the locals use unless spoken to in English. However, unlike Parisians, the Quebecois offer no objection to speaking English with tourists who are unschooled in French.
A funicular unique to North America offers another traditional European touch to Quebec City. While the short funicular ride from Old Quebec to Dufferin Terrace proceeds at a typical 45-degree incline, the feel is too much elevator and not enough cog railway for the true fan of these European mountain familiars.
The architecture of Quebec is an ecletic combination of old French and modern. Statuary and fountains convey the feel of the land the French settlers left behind when they established their presence in the New World. One statute in particular commemorates French King Louis XIV.
Is Quebec the only French-speaking part of Canada?
No. Quebec is not the only French-speaking part of Canada.
While Quebec is the most prominent and populous French-speaking province, French is also spoken in other parts of Canada, particularly in New Brunswick, which is officially bilingual and has a significant Francophone population. Parts of Ontario, Manitoba, and other provinces also have French-speaking communities.
Canada as a whole recognizes both English and French as official languages and Francophone communities can be found across the country.
