A macabre promenade through 17th‑century New France: an animated tour of death in Old Québec

SAINTE-CATHERINE-DE-LA-JACQUES-CARTIER GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE

A macabre promenade through 17th‑century New France: an animated tour of death in Old Québec

A one‑hour guided walk that unmasks burial rites, cemeteries and funerary customs of New France—useful for travelers who want a historical, storyteller‑led look at how early colonists confronted mortality.

Check availabilitySee guide details

A macabre promenade through 17th‑century New France: an animated tour of death in Old Québec.

Duration
1h
Location
Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
Operator
Services d'animation Promas Inc.
Category
Guided Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Visite animée - Mort en Nouvelle‑France is a guided, storytelling walk that plunges visitors into 17th‑century rites of death: the funerary customs, the old cemeteries of Vieux‑Québec and the varied fates of the deceased in the colony. The presentation blends historical detail with a theatrical narration, turning what might be a sober subject into an engaging, informative stroll.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE HISTORY

Burial rites of 17th‑century New France

Explore how the colony handled death: where people were laid to rest, how the poor and criminals were treated, and the burial customs that shaped life and afterlife in early Québec.

THE NARRATIVE

A storyteller brings the past to life

A lively guide narrates grisly anecdotes and social context, turning cemetery stones and burial sites into entry points for broader discussions about mortality and colonial society.

THE SETTING

A walking tour through old graveyards

The tour is structured as a funeral‑style walk through historic cemeteries and sites in Vieux‑Québec, revealing the tangible traces of 17th‑century funerary practice.

What the day feels like

What the experience feels like

Expect an hour‑long, narrator‑led promenade through Old Québec where cemeteries, markers and neighborhood sites become scenes in a larger story about death in the 1600s. The pace is that of a short walking visit, with historical exposition punctuated by dramatic retellings that illuminate different social responses to death.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this visit suits best

1
History buffsIdeal for travelers interested in social history and funerary customs who want detailed, narrative‑driven context about life and death in 17th‑century New France.
2
Those comfortable with macabre themesContent centers on death, burial and related rituals; visitors should expect frank discussion of mortuary practices presented with an entertaining tone.
3
Active walkersThe visit is a one‑hour walking promenade; participants should be prepared to walk between outdoor sites and stand during storytelling segments.
4
Families with older childrenFamilies may attend, but caregivers should judge whether younger children are suited to themes about death and burial; the presentation is theatrical and historically detailed.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Duration

The guided visit lasts approximately 1 hour.

Meeting point

Departures begin at Monument Saint‑François de Laval, in front of 3 Passage du Chien‑d’Or, Québec City (G1R 3Z8M).

What to bring

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes suitable for a short outdoor walk.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the tour?

The visit is approximately one hour long.

Where do we meet the guide?

Meet at the Monument Saint‑François de Laval in front of 3 Passage du Chien‑d’Or in Québec City.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring weather‑appropriate clothing and wear comfortable shoes for walking outdoors.

What topics does the tour cover?

The tour examines 17th‑century funerary rites, old cemeteries, burial practices for different social groups, and historical perspectives on death, presented by a lively storyteller.

Is the tour a walking experience?

Yes—it's organized as a short outdoor walk connecting cemetery sites and historic locations in Old Québec.