Old Quebec

Commissioned by Peter Simons, La visite celebrates the colourful past of our store in Old Quebec. In 1648, when Quebec was home to a mere 500 people, this was the site of the town's first inn. The aptly named proprietor, Jacques Boisdon, was required to discourage drunkenness, cursing, gambling, and scandals, and to close his establishment during church services and on feast days.

Pierre Laforest used this story as inspiration for a scene that takes us back to the everyday life of Quebec's first residents. A muralist living on Île d'Orléans, Laforest uses a technique similar to that of the Dutch masters of the 17th century.

This cupola, attributed to Walter Crane and made with Italian glass mosaic tiles, used to adorn Château Bouchart, which was built in the late 19th century by a prosperous industrial family in France. The bright and gilded work depicts the story of two knights competing to win the heart of a princess.

After being restored by two specialists from Italy, the cupola was installed in our Old Quebec store in 2005. It was lovingly dedicated to Carlo and Maria Cusan, and all Italians living in Quebec City, to commemorate their cultural and social contribution to the community.