Québec City is one of Canada’s oldest cities.

The First Nations were the first peoples to live here. Then came the French, whose impact can still be felt today – in the city’s architecture, its language, and its people.

Here are some of the colorful characters who shaped the early history of Québec City from its first founding to its surrender to the British – and where to find them in the modern city.

Jacques Cartier (1491 – 1557)

French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first to map the St. Lawrence River and give the name “Canada” to the land.

Cartier made three voyages to North America, each to the area around what is now Québec City, surveying the land and making contact with the native population. Cartier’s third voyage saw the establishment of a settlement in 1541, but this did not last, and it would be over 60 years before another attempt to establish a colony in New France would be made.

Where to see Jacques Cartier: Cartier is interred in Saint-Malo Cathedral, in his native France. His name appears on the Quebec Parliament Building and he is one of the historic figures who appears in the Fresque des Québécois (Mural of Quebecers). He also gave his name to the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site in the city.

Samuel de Champlain (1567 – 1635)

Known as the “Father of New France,” it was French explorer, cartographer, and navigator Samuel de Champlain who founded the first permanent settlement at Québec City in 1608.

The new settlement was originally known as the Habitation de Québec and located in what is now Lower Town. From there, Champlain expanded trade routes, formed alliances with First Nations tribes, and continued his exploration of the territory. Forced out when Quebec briefly came under British rule, he returned in 1633 as Lieutenant-General of New France, and died in the city two years later.

Where to see Samuel de Champlain: While no one knows exactly where Champlain is buried, there is a statue of him prominently located in Québec City on the Dufferin Terrace, right near the Château Frontenac. He is also one of the historic figures depicted on the Fresque des Québécois (Mural of Quebecers).

Louis Hébert (c. 1575 – 1627)

Louis Hébert was, together with his family, Québec City’s first colonist. He was persuaded by Samuel de Champlain, whom he had met on an earlier trip to North America, to come and live in what was then known as the Habitation.

In 1617, having sold his house and business in France, Hébert arrived in Québec City with his wife and three children. They were the first settlers to cultivate the land. An apothecary by trade, Hébert’s botanical interests led to good relations with the local tribes, from whom he learned about the native plant species. He also served as the colony’s doctor.

Thanks to Hébert’s contributions, the new settlement began to thrive.

Where to see Hébert: There is a monument to Hébert in Montmorency Park in Québec City. His wife and children are also depicted on the monument.

Jean de Brébeuf (1593 – 1649)

Known as the “Apostle of the Hurons,” Jean de Brébeuf was a French Jesuit priest who spent 20 years evangelizing the native population in New France.

Arriving in Québec City in 1625, Brébeuf was quickly exposed to the hardships of Indian missions, before being sent to Huron territory the following year. There he remained for the rest of his life, except for a brief period when he returned to France and another when he ministered to the French in Québec City while recovering from an injury.

Brébeuf worked hard to understand the ways and language of the culture he now found himself in. Gifted in languages, he wrote a Huron-French dictionary, translated the catechism into Huron, and composed the “Huron Carol,” Canada’s oldest Christmas carol. Brutally murdered by the Iroquois, enemies of the Huron, Brébeuf and seven other Jesuit missionaries active in New France were canonized as Catholic saints in 1930.

Where to see Jean de Brébeuf: Brébeuf is buried in the Huron village of St. Ignace, near Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Ontario, Canada. He is depicted on the Quebec Parliament Building, while the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site is partly named in his honor. (The park is the site of the first Jesuit missionary residence, where Brébeuf would have stayed.)

Marie de l’Incarnation (1599 – 1672)

A French nun, Marie de l’Incarnation established the Ursuline order of nuns in New France. She entered the convent in France after the death of her husband, but soon felt the call to missionary work in the new world.

Marie founded the first girls’ school in North America. It accepted not only the daughters of colonists, but girls from indigenous tribes as well, and continues its educational mission to this day.

Marie’s other important contribution was her writing. The thousands of letters she wrote are important sources of information about life in early Québec City. She also wrote dictionaries and catechisms in several native languages, including Algonquin and Iroquois.

In 2014, Marie de l’Incarnation was declared a saint of the Catholic Church.

Where to see Marie de l’Incarnation: Marie is buried in the Ursuline Chapel in Québec City, where you can visit her grave. She is also one of the historic figures depicted on the Fresque des Québécois (Mural of Quebecers).

Louis de Buade de Frontenac (1622 – 1698)

French soldier Louis de Buade de Frontenac served as Governor of New France twice – first from 1672 to 1682 and second from 1689 to 1698. During his tenures, he reinforced the colony’s defenses, quarreled with the clergy, built new trading posts to expand the fur trade, and quelled the threat posed by the Iroquois.

Tempestuous and autocratic by nature, Frontenac nevertheless solidified his place in Canadian history in October 1690 when, confronted with an order to surrender from a representative of British commander Sir William Phips, he replied, “I have no response to make to your general other than from the mouths of my cannons and muskets.” Phips attacked anyway and was soundly defeated by the French.

Where to see Louis de Buade de Frontenac: Frontenac is buried in the crypt of the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre Dame de Québec. There is also a statue of him on the Quebec Parliament Building. Québec City’s most famous landmark, the Château Frontenac, is named in his honor. In addition, he is one of the historic figures depicted on the Fresque des Québécois (Mural of Quebecers).

François de Laval (1623 – 1708)

François de Laval was Quebec’s first bishop. Born to a noble family in France, he renounced his title in favor of the priesthood. He was sent to New France in 1658 to organize the church and attend the spiritual needs of the growing colony. He worked tirelessly in his adopted home for the next 50 years.

Among Laval’s most notable successes was the establishment of the Seminary of Quebec, which later became a university named after him; it is the oldest university in Canada. Laval was declared a Catholic saint in 2014.

Where to see François de Laval: You can visit Laval’s tomb at the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre Dame de Québec. There’s also a statue of him on the Quebec Parliament Building. He is one of the historic figures depicted on the Fresque des Québécois (Mural of Quebecers).

Louis Jolliet (1645 – 1700)

Louis Jolliet was an explorer and fur-trader. Born in Canada, he was raised alongside the First Nations in the early colony of Québec City.

Jolliet’s most famous achievement was mapping out the Upper Mississippi River. Along with his travel companion, Jesuit priest Jacques Marquette, the duo and their companions made it as far down as the Arkansas River. They returned north once they determined the river ended at the Gulf of Mexico instead of the Pacific Ocean, as they had hoped.

Where to see Jolliet: There is a depiction of Jolliet on the Quebec Parliament Building. He is also one of the historic figures depicted on the Fresque des Québécois (Mural of Quebecers).

Filles du roi (1663 – 1673)

The first settlers to New France were predominantly male. The French government, worried about the ramifications this gender imbalance would have on the long-term success of their colonies, decided to sponsor hundreds of young women to emigrate to the new world, marry, and have families.

So came the filles du roi, or king’s daughters, to New France. About 800 unmarried women arrived in the colony between 1663 and 1673. Mostly commoners from poor backgrounds, they were nicknamed the “king’s daughters” because the king paid for their passage and dowry.

The program was a tremendous success; within a few years of the women’s arrival, the population of New France tripled, and many of the descendants of the filles du roi still live in Québec City to this day.

Where to see the Filles du roi: There’s a marker dedicated to the Filles du roi in the Lower Town, on the southwest corner of Rue de la Place and Rue Saint-Pierre.

Louis-Joseph de Montcalm (1712 – 1759)

Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Gozon, Marquis de Montcalm de Saint-Veran was the commander of France’s forces in North America during the Seven Years’ War (also known in North American as the French and Indian War).

Born to a noble family in France, Montcalm saw action during the War of the Polish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession before being sent to North America. There, he won a number of victories before facing the British again at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Having been wounded while retreating, Montcalm died a few hours after the battle, conscious of his defeat.

Where to see Montcalm: Montcalm is buried in the cemetery of the Quebec General Hospital in Québec City. There are also a few monuments to Montcalm around Québec City, including Wolfe-Montcalm Monument in the Parc des gouverneurs and a depiction of Montcalm on the Quebec Parliament Building.

You can also learn more about Montcalm and the Battle of the Plains of Abraham at the Plains of Abraham Museum.

James Wolfe (1727 – 1759)

James Wolfe was the son of a British general and began his military career at the age of 13.

Wolfe had earned the reputation of being something of a madman, but was nevertheless made commander of the Quebec expedition in 1759. After failing to make progress for several months, he ordered a daring charge up the cliffs next to Québec City, the opening act in what became the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. A few hours later he was dead, but not before knowing that his forces were on the verge of victory.

Wolfe’s success at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham broke French domination of North America. A few months later, France ceded her North American territories to Britain and Québec City officially came under British rule.

Where to see Wolfe: Wolfe is buried in St. Alfege Church, Greenwich, England. There are also a few monuments to Wolfe around Québec City, including Wolfe-Montcalm Monument in the Parc des gouverneurs and a depiction of Wolfe on the Quebec Parliament Building.

You can also learn more about Wolfe and the Battle of the Plains of Abraham at the Plains of Abraham Museum.

Who’s your favorite figure from early Quebec history? Let me know in the comments!