A key player in the settlement and development of the colony of New France, La Grande Ferme is a must-visit destination for those seeking to learn more about the fascinating history of the French in North America.

During the first half of the 17th century, Compagnie de Beaupré, which was in charge of settling the Beaupré Seigneury, built the farm known as La Ferme d’en-haut.

Building on the original farm, Monsignor de Laval, Québec’s first bishop, established La Grande Ferme, with a view to providing food for the Québec Seminary, which he had just founded. From 1668 to 1685, the bishop, on behalf of the Seminary, had an extension built on the east side of the original house, along with several farm buildings, including a barn and a stable, as well as a perimeter wall and a church, which was expanded in 1725.

On August 23, 1759, British troops passed through the area, marking the beginning of a difficult period for La Grande Ferme, as the land was divided up and shared among the Seigneury’s other farms. The house was reduced to one third of its original size and, as a result, La Grande Ferme was no longer the focus of community life.

However, in 1866, the current house was erected, in an effort to revitalize the farm. A wharf was also built so that, when the tides were favorable, the food produced by the Seminary’s farms could be shipped to Québec City.

In 1975, the house, now recognized as a historic monument, along with a tiny part of the original land, was purchased from the Seminary by the Government of Québec. Then, in 1979, three centuries after its founding, La Grande Ferme revived its educational vocation, becoming a heritage learning center. Today, the mission of La Grande Ferme is to promote the region’s rich and fascinating heritage.