Café du Monde
The greatest Parisian bistro in New France

The History of Quebec According to Café du Monde
Have a seat at a table overlooking the St. Lawrence. This is where it all began.

	Note to the Reader Café du Monde historians admit to a free interpretation of history in the text below. Not recommended as a reference for a history essay!

Chapter 1 - Samuel de Champlain Casts Anchor a Short Distance Away
On June 30, 1608, Samuel de Champlain, explorer by profession and soldier in the army of Louis XIII, arrived on his caravel the Don-de-Dieu near the Cruise Liner Terminal (to be inaugurated at a later date). This part of the New World was dull-Café du Monde has not been opened yet- but he realized that "there is no other site as practical or better located than the Port of Quebec, as named by the Natives, which is filled with walnut trees and vines". He determined the site had strong economic and tourist potential, so he decided to have the land cleared. "I immediately ordered some of our men to cut them down (the walnut trees and vines!) to make room for our abitation (dwelling)".

Chapter II - The Cradle of Quebec City
On July 3, 1608, the first building was constructed in Quebec: the famous abitation, a type of fort that served as base and trading post where the Native people would exchange furs for goods. Deep moats were dug around the building and soldiers kept watch. In 1609, a dozen people spent the winter here. This (now sacred) site is at the heart of Place Royale and the entire city of Quebec!

Chapter III - Businesspeople Set Up Shop
Both the French and English transformed Place-Royale into the business hub of New France. Many new commercial streets were built nearby: la rue du Petit-Champlain, , rue Sous-le-Fort, rue Saint-Paul and others that became a centre for shopping, culture and tourism.

	Expo 1663 at Place-Royale This long-awaited fair, centred on the fur trade, drew hundreds of Aboriginals, buyers and European designers working for the Courts of France and England.

Chapter IV (Final Chapter) - Glory, Decline and Rebirth
After knowing several glorious periods up until the middle of the twentieth century, the neighbourhood surrounding the Old Port of Quebec City began to lose its prestige. Ships, now made of steel, proceeded directly to Montreal. No longer did sailors frequent the taverns along rue Saint-Paul and rue Saint-Pierre. Place-Royale and rue Champlain gradually showed signs of neglect. The lack of clientele resulted in merchants closing up shop. The entire neighbourhood seemed doomed to sink into oblivion. But this fate was avoided: in less than 15 years, private companies, the government, Quebec City administration and few remaining residents transformed Place-Royale into one of the most popular tourist sites in Quebec City!