Old City Architecture

Laval University was founded in the 1850s by the Seminary of Québec. And for a hundred years its students lived and studied in the Old City. By the 1950s, the university had grown too large for the buildings it occupied – too large for Old Québec, in fact. It was then that the university moved to then-distant Sainte Foy; it is still there today, on a sprawling campus that easily accommodates its 45,000+ students.

There is one school at Laval University, however, that decided to return to Old Québec: the Architecture School. They wanted their students surrounded by – inspired by – the architecture of Vieux Québec. Those students now occupy several wings of the Old City’s seminary complex.

On nice fall days, when school is back in session, you see them with their sketch pads, channeling the genius of the four centuries of architects whose work defines Old Québec.

29 thoughts on “Old City Architecture”

  1. Barbara Bollinger

    Neil,
    I really enjoyed your tour of old Quebec last week!
    So please talk about this architecture now! Style? Materials? Influence?
    Thanks
    Barbara

  2. Really enjoy your emails and the influence and perspective you give on Quebec and it surroundings

    It would be nice to move there for an extended stay

  3. J’adore!
    C’est tellement typique du Vieux-Québec de voir ces étudiants en architecture à l’oeuvre devant l’histoire qui les entoure.

  4. How wonderful to have seen you again keep up the info and take care you have a beautiful and historical city in which to reside how fortunate you are

  5. Hi Neil,

    I studied at “Le Séminaire de Québec”, in these old white buildings, during 5 years and I really appreciated my experience. Thanks again.

  6. Oui c’est en effet très amusant d’imaginer dans le temps que le séminaire fonde l’UL et de constater de nos jours la faculté d’architecture de l’UL dans les locaux du Séminaire. C’est toujours un plaisir de partager ton approche merci

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