Parc Montmorency
Quebec City
The Parc Montmorency is a park at the top of the cliff, above the lower town. For many years the elected members of the city and the province met here.
From bishop to lawmakers
In 1688 Bishop Saint-Vallier built his first palace here. Later the palace housed the governor and his councillors. In 1792 the colony's first elected assembly opened here. For the first time, citizens chose who would make the laws.
An important conference
In the 1850s and 1860s, for some periods, the province's elected members met here. In October 1864 delegates came from several colonies. Their ideas led to the birth of Canada in 1867.
From palace to park
In 1883 the palace was lost, and the members moved to a new, much bigger building. In 1898 Mayor Simon-Napoléon Parent turned the site into a public park, with lawns and paths.
What to see from outside
Look at the view over the port and the river. Pick out the lower town, with its narrow roofs side by side. From here you also get a good view of the Château Frontenac. It is one of the locals' favourite spots to photograph it, especially at sunset.
