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On the traces of Germany in Quebec City and surroundings

Did you know...

...that the spectacular "Château Frontenac" in Quebec City has a connection to the German-speaking world?

During the American Revolution at the end of the 18th century, approximately 100 German mercenary soldiers and doctors were sent to Quebec by the British. These Germans and their descendants left their mark in the city, which can be seen to this day, for example at the cemetery of Saint-Matthews Church. Taking some detours one can discover the links between Germany and the emblematic "Château Frontenac". In the "Niemand Bakery" in Kamouraska, bread is baked the German way.

Traces in and around Quebec City

The "Château Haldimand“ (today: "Château Frontenac“) © Goethe-Institut Montreal

German Traces in Quebec City
 The "Château Haldimand“

The "Château Frontenac" is without a doubt one of the architectural monuments most symbolic of Quebec City. The château, whose construction started in 1893, is actually part of the city’s later history. There was another château that stood on the same spot earlier: the "Château Haldimand".

St. Matthew's Church in Quebec © Goethe-Institut Montreal

German Traces in Quebec City
 German Mercenaries in Quebec

At the end of the 18th century, the province of Quebec was a colony of Great Britain. Britain’s dominant position across the continent lasted until 1775, the beginning of the American War of Independence. When their military resources were exhausted, the British authorities had to hire German mercenaries to bolster their forces.

The Chevalier House © Goethe-Institut Montreal

German Traces in Quebec City
 The Chevalier House

George Pozer was one of the most important businessmen in Quebec City at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. He is a prominent figure in the city’s history, not only because of his enormous fortune.

Hotel Frederick Glackmeyer © Goethe-Institut Montreal

German Traces in Quebec City
 Frederick Glackmeyer

During the American War of Independence (1775-1783), the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel, the Principality of Wolfenbüttel, the Electorate of Hanover, Saxony-Anhalt, and other regions in present-day German rented soldiers to the British on subsidiary contracts.

Cyclorama de Jérusalem © Goethe-Institut Montreal

German Traces in Quebec
Bruno Piglheins

The enormous painting “Cyclorama de Jérusalem” in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré shows the crucifixion of Christ. The little town of Sainte-Anne is located around 30 km east of Quebec City on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River, and is best known for its basilica.

Inside of the church in Saint-Romuald © Goethe-Institut Montreal

German Traces in Quebec
 The Church in Saint-Romuald

Saint-Romuald, with its 11,700 inhabitants, lies on the south bank of the Saint Lawrence River, opposite Quebec City and is not far from the two bridges “Pont de Québec” and “Pont Pierre-Laporte”. Saint-Romuald has been one of Lévis’ 10 boroughs since 2002.

One Trace in Kamouraska

German Traces in Quebec The "Niemand Bakery"

Fresh Brezeln from the "Boulangerie Niemand" © Boulangerie Niemand Located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the community of Kamouraska is not only famous for its splendid sunsets - the most beautiful in Quebec, according to some - and the eponymous novel by Anne Hébert, but also for the “Boulangerie Niemand“, named after Jochen Niemand, a bakery artisan from North Rhine-Westphalia.

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