✦ Historic Festival
New France Festival
Every summer, Quebec travels three centuries back in time. The New France Festival is one of North America's largest historical events. And when you return from your journey, Carrera Café awaits you.
The New France Festival
The biggest historical gathering
Since 1997, the New France Festival has brought back to life the era of French colonization in America. Every August, over 80,000 visitors mingle with 600 costumed entertainers in the streets of Old Quebec.
The event of the year
For five days, Old Quebec transforms into 17th-century New France. Soldiers, merchants, coureurs des bois, nuns, nobles, and peasants from the period come alive in the streets. Visitors can even dress up in costumes themselves.
25 years of living history
In twenty-five years, the New France Festival has become one of Quebec's most popular events. Each edition explores a different theme: food, trade, relations with the First Nations, daily life.
Activities and shows
Five days of festivities
The Festival program is rich and diverse. From street entertainment to indoor shows, every corner of Old Quebec comes alive.
Costumed parades
Several times a day, costumed parades pass through Old Quebec. Soldiers marching in step, nobles in carriages, artisans at the forefront. A colorful and lively spectacle accessible to all.
Historical workshops
Pottery, blacksmithing, lace-making, period cooking. Re-enacting artisans demonstrate their expertise. Children can participate. A living and sensory learning experience.
Baroque and traditional music
Musical ensembles play music from the colonial period. Lute, viola da gamba, traditional violin. Old Quebec's squares transform into outdoor concert halls.
Street plays
Historical theater companies perform scenes of colonial life in the streets. Merchant quarrels, military decision-making, religious rituals. The past comes alive before your eyes.
The art of costume
Immerse yourself in history
The unique feature of the New France Festival: visitors are invited to dress in costume. A unique participatory dimension that transforms the experience.
Dress up
Costume rental shops are set up within the Festival perimeter. Nobles, peasants, merchants, soldiers: all social strata of New France are represented. Dressing up is optional but highly recommended.
Historical gastronomy
Flavors of the 17th century
The New France Festival is also a culinary journey. Period merchants offer specialties recreated from historical recipes.
Colonial cuisine
Country bread, onion soup, apple cider, simmered stews. 17th-century recipes recreated by food historians. A discovery of the origins of Quebec cuisine.
The period market
A colonial market is set up in the streets of Old Quebec. Spices, furs, ceramics, cloth. The trade exchanges of New France are re-enacted as an immersive experience.
Return to the 21st century
After five days in New France, returning to Carrera Café is a soft landing. Latte, patio, charcuterie board. From the 17th to the 21st century in a 10-minute walk.
Book your after-festivities plans
Plan a stop at Carrera Café after your day at the Festival. The Petit-Champlain terrace is 10 minutes from the main Festival sites. The transition between the two eras is well worth the trip.
The barista's recommendation
"In August, during the Festival, the city has a different vibe. Period costumes on the cobblestones of Petit-Champlain, colonial music in the air. We welcome them to the terrace with a very modern latte."
On the podium
The three essential experiences
If you are visiting the Festival for the first time, here are the three moments not to be missed.
✦ New France Festival Podium
On the first day, the costumed parade marches through Old Quebec to cheers. Hundreds of entertainers, music, war cries. A spectacular opening.
Place Royale and surroundings. The period stalls, costumes, arts and crafts. The most complete and immersive re-enactment of the event.
The soft landing back in the 21st century. Latte, patio, board. The best way to punctuate a day of historical immersion.
Historical circuit
From the 17th to the 21st century
The ideal day during the New France Festival, with Carrera Café as a prologue and epilogue.
Festival + Carrera
10 AM: Brunch at Carrera Café before diving into the 17th century. 11 AM: New France Festival, colonial market, activities, costumes. 5 PM: Return to Carrera's terrace for a late-day aperitif. From Italian espresso to New France cider and back again.
Festival and flavors
New France for history. Carrera Café for the present. Two eras, one Quebec.
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