Fire and reconstruction (1682–1759)

Just as the city of Quebec was beginning to take shape, Place-Royale was destroyed by a terrible fire in 1682. As most buildings were made of wood at the time, the fire spread quickly and within a few hours, 55 buildings had been reduced to ashes. Everything needed to be rebuilt.

This reconstruction reaffirmed the commercial orientation of Quebec’s Lower Town. While many religious, military and political authorities relocated to the Upper Town, Place-Royale established itself as the hub of commercial and port activity.