Apprendre le Québec – EN

Wendake

Following a reorganization of the territory shared by several indigenous nations on the shores of the Great Lakes of Ontario, the Huron-Wendat left Georgian Bay in 1697 to settle near Quebec, in the Laurentian forest, their new home.

Called Village de Lorette at the time of the Jesuits, then Village-des-Hurons thereafter, this Indian reserve is now called Wendake. The capital of the Huron-Wendat nation, Wendake covers an area of ​​1.1 km2. At the heart of the site, you can see the famous Kabir Kouba Falls of the Saint-Charles River, which has its source in Lake Saint-Charles, in the northern crown of the territory of Quebec City: interestingly, this lake has been one of the main sources of drinking water for Quebec City for several decades and supplies more than 400,000 people annually.

Since the Wendake reserve is located in the centre of the borough of Quebec City, it is very accessible for anyone wishing to visit it. Whether for its historical character, or for the various cultural activities and gastronomic offerings offered on site, Wendake is truly a destination not to be missed during your visit to Quebec.

In terms of cultural activities, you will find an interpretation centre for the Kabir Kouba cliff and waterfall park, where you will discover fossils dating back 455 million years, documentation on the flora, fauna and the park itself, as well as a linear trail along the Saint-Charles River with numerous interpretive panels on “the river with a thousand detours”. In addition, tales and legends and a visit to a traditional Huron dwelling site will be offered on the reserve.

The 4-star Premières Nations Hotel-Museum brings together culture, fine dining and accommodation under one roof. This building, whose architecture recalls the elliptical shape of Huron longhouses, houses the Huron-Wendat Museum, a national institution of the Wendat people whose mission is to preserve the history and heritage of this nation. To this end, you will find a permanent exhibition called “Territories, memories, knowledge”, educational activities, thematic workshops and many exclusive art and collectible objects.

On the gastronomic side, the hotel-museum offers a high-end catering service: in reference to the fur trade (and perhaps also to the popular Quebec expression “se payer la traite”, which means to treat yourself to the whole lot), the restaurant “La Traite” stands out for its traditional indigenous cuisine, based on fishing, hunting and gathering, and whose preparation is made from herbs, flowers, fruits and spices used by the Huron-Wendat since their arrival in Quebec. In addition, you will find on the menu game hunted in Nunavut, hare trapped in a snare, partridge, several cold-smoked local fish and sauces made from native berries. Finally, you will find an impressive wine cellar, an indoor and outdoor fireplace, and one of the most beautiful terraces in Quebec.

Also, the restaurant “La Sagamité”, the first indigenous restaurant in Quebec, is a source of pride for the inhabitants of Wendake: you can order the potence, an assortment of several game that will allow you to savor different meats from the Amerindian land.

Finally, the Huron-Wendat having always been a trading people, you will find in Wendake many craft shops where you can buy works of art, jewelry, clothing and traditional tools of the Huron-Wendat people.