Tadoussac Old Photos

Tadoussac Village is located within La Haute-Côte-Nord RCM in Côte-Nord Region,  at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Saguenay rivers.

Tadoussac was France’s first trading post on the mainland of New France and an important trading post in the beginning of the New France, making it the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in Canada, and the oldest surviving French settlement in the Americas.

Jacques Cartier came to the site in 1535 during his second voyage to Canada, and found there Montagnais hunting seal. The site was also visited by Basques, whaling on the Saguenay River.

The post of Tadoussac was founded in 1600 by François Gravé Du Pont, a merchant, and Pierre de Chauvin de Tonnetuit, a captain of the French Royal Navy, when they acquired a fur trade monopoly from Henry IV. In 1603, Samuel de Champlain thought about establishing there the siege of the new French colony, but he finally changed his mind and chose Quebec instead.

However, Tadoussac remained the only seaport on the Saguenay River for 30 years. By the 17th and 18th century, it was the center of fur trade between the French and First Nations peoples. Colonists from the Tadoussac area were involved in whaling from 1632 until at least the beginning of the next century.

In the 19th century, tourists discovered the appeal of the rural village and wealthy Québécois built a number of villas. A Victorian hotel was built in 1864; it later was lost to a fire. In the 1940s, it was replaced by the large Hotel Tadoussac. The township of Tadoussac was incorporated in 1899.

The entire area is either rural or still in a wilderness state, with several federal and provincial natural parks and preserves competing for prestigious spots. Tadoussac encompasses the first marine national park of Canada. The nearest urban agglomeration is Saguenay about 100 km (62 mi) west. The village of Tadoussac is the north-east terminus of the Baie-Ste-Catherine/Tadoussac ferry, which offers free and frequent service across the Saguenay River. The ferry is part of Quebec Route 138 and the main link to Sept-Îles. The village is thus considered the gateway to the Manicouagan region.

Tadoussac, general view, postcard of 1930ies

Mid 1860's. The old Hudson's Bay Post on the right, the back of the original Hotel, at the far left can be seen the Price staff houses. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Building on the beach with a seawall. Circa 1880. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Here stood the first Christian Church in Canada. The chapel of the present building was constructed in 1648. Beautiful simplicity distinguishes these little wooden chruches. The plain pine crosses in the little graveyard seem a part of the countrisde. The warm northern summer spreads a carpet of wildflowers about them. Post card of the 1930ies

The Chapel about 1901. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Tadoussac Chapel about 1930. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Hudson Bay Station in 1858

Circa 1890's, the church had been built. The house to the right of the hotel is new. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Early 1900's in Tadoussac. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Tadoussac beach with buildingss, and the first hotel, about 1860's. Boatbuilding on the beach, only one house on the main street, no church, no Cid Store. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Late 1800's. This house seems to be the one upper middle, is visble what is now drydock in the background. The drydock is just a bay with a beach, probably it was dug deeper when the dry dock was created with gates. This photo is colorized. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Houses at the top of the hill, before 1900. Possibly, one of these houses was moved into the park, known as Tivoly. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

Tadoussac Hôtel, postcart of the 1930ies

Cid's store in the 1960's. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

A street in 1915. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

ate 1800's. Houses on Indian Rock and on the beach. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site

New hotel, large church, houses on the beach in 1940's. Source of the photo : Tides of Tadoussac Web Site