The Fresque des Québécois

Here it is—the famous Fresque des Québécois, inspired by a similar mural in Lyon, one of France’s largest cities. This idea came from the president of Quebec’s National Capital Commission—a body responsible for promoting and beautifying the city. When he visited Lyon, he was struck by a massive trompe-l’œil mural that celebrated the city’s history through lifelike painted figures. He loved the idea and brought it back to Quebec. The mural before you was a first of its kind in Quebec, created by CitéCréation, an artistic collective founded just outside Lyon. The street in the painting is imaginary, but the buildings are faithful reproductions of real ones in Quebec. The characters are historical figures who helped shape the city’s past, culture, and identity, grouped by era. At the top, we begin with the age of exploration and the founding of the colony, featuring Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain, and Louis Jolliet—a Quebec native who explored the Mississippi River. Next is the governance section, with the colony’s main intendants and governors. Another part highlights those who served the community—clergy members, founders of hospitals and hospices, and figures like Alphonse Desjardins, who established a cooperative savings and credit society that still bears his name today. Finally, the mural celebrates Quebec’s cultural identity, with figures like François-Xavier Garneau, Canada’s first historian, the beloved singer Félix Leclerc, and Lord Dufferin, who played a key role in preserving and enhancing the city of Quebec. You’ll also notice the four distinct seasons portrayed from top to bottom: the snowy white of winter, the fiery reds and oranges of autumn, the delicate greens of spring, and the warmth of summer. It’s a stunning tribute to the people that shaped Quebec into the city you’re exploring today.