In 2008, a fire broke out at Québec City’s Drill Hall, known to locals as the Manège Militaire. As it burned overnight from the 4th to the 5th of April, Québecers turned out by the thousands to watch firefighters’ efforts to stem the inferno. The neighborhood was illuminated by the high flames and dark smoke trailed off into the late winter air. As morning dawned, so too did understanding of the scale of the city’s loss: fire had consumed a piece of Québec’s history and one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
Home to the country’s oldest French-Canadian regiment, the Manège Militaire was built in the 1880s by architect Eugène-Étienne Taché, the same man who constructed the Parliament building two blocks to the north. Mr. Taché had coifed his building with a dramatic copper roof, which sheltered a large indoor training arena and space for the reservists who worked there. The building’s 15th-century style helped to cement an architectural tradition that still defines the Québec City urban landscape in the 21st century.
Today, the Drill Hall is rising from the ashes. After seven years of number-crunching and negotiation, money has been allocated for rebuilding the historic edifice. Crews have turned the neighboring parade square into a staging ground for the reconstruction process, and a new roof is emerging from newly reinforced walls. This is good news for la Vieille Capitale. The loss of Taché’s Drill Hall was too great to tolerate.
Good thing to remember us that the building will revive. Sometimes, after a while, peuple tend to forget that the building was there. Hopefuly, we have good people who watches for us. Keeps up the good work Neil. Francine.
Send more photos of the construction
Thank you for the pictures and history. I enjoy reading your post.
Good to see Quebecs like to keep their history in tact. Will get back one day.
I really appreciate you continue to offer us your pictures and details about the history and events of Quebec.
Not only do I wish to keep receiving your blog updates, but I consider your posts elegantly written, fun to read and quite informative. Thanks for the original angle on Québec’s history and must sees. Keep posting Neil!
Hi Neil,
Like all Québec citizens, I’m really eager to see the final result of this reconstruction. Thanks again Neil, DL
Thank you for the updates. Having visited Quebec this past summer I can visualize everything you write in your blog. I look forward to visiting Quebec again in the future.
So sorry to hear about this tragedy. But, I am glad that there is work being done to rebuild to it’s former glory.
Une journée tout chocolat en vieille du jour des Pâques,je lis cette prose savoureuse de détails et pertinences. Encore une fois bravo,Neil pour la générosité détaillée de chaque publication de la région de Québec avec la qualité d’un grand écrivain soucieux par sa diction Joyeuses Pâques en famille avec mes mille mercis. DB