Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Catholic Church

Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is a small Catholic church on Place Royale in Québec City’s Lower Town. Built from 1688 on the site of Samuel de Champlain’s early settlement, it is among North America’s oldest stone churches. Inside, look for the wooden and gilded altars, 18th-century paintings and a model of a 17th-century ship suspended above the congregation. The quiet interior makes a brief stop worthwhile, and the surrounding square adds stone buildings and cobbled streets to your Old Québec walk. Access can vary, so check before planning your visit around going inside.

A church on the site of early Québec

Notre-Dame-des-Victoires stands at 32 Rue Sous-le-Fort, on Place Royale in the Lower Town. The church was built on the site of Samuel de Champlain’s early settlement. Construction began in 1688, making it one of North America’s oldest stone churches.

Its name recalls French military victories over British forces in 1690 and 1711. The church was damaged during the 1759 bombardment of Québec and rebuilt from 1763, following its original plans. Its history is closely tied to the square around it, where stone buildings and cobbled streets preserve the character of Old Québec.

Details to look for inside

The interior is compact, with wooden and gilded altar details, paintings from the 18th century and stained-glass windows. Look up for the suspended model of the Brézé, a ship that brought the Marquis de Tracy and soldiers of the Carignan Regiment to New France in 1664. The model serves as an ex-voto, a religious offering connected with gratitude or a vow.

The church’s scale gives the altar and ship model a prominent place in the room. Take a moment to notice the painted and carved details rather than expecting the grand interior of a large cathedral.