The Cross of Gaspé — Decode Cartier's Secret Claim

Your journey begins in the heart of Gaspé, in front of the Jacques Cartier Monument. This site, dedicated to the French explorer, marks the start of your investigation into the designation of Jacques Cartier's arrival in Gaspé as a National Historic Event by Parks Canada. Here, you examine the commemorative plaques that recall the territorial claim for King Francis I and the role of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in preserving this Quebec heritage. Exploring this monument prepares you for the discovery of key stages of the French presence in North America.

Continue towards the Cross of Gaspé, a monolithic granite cross 10 meters high, weighing over 42 tons. Erected in 1934 for the 400th anniversary of Cartier's arrival on July 24, 1534, this grey granite cross from the Rivière-à-Pierre quarry commemorates the 30-foot wooden cross Cartier planted. Originally unveiled on August 25, 1934, and costing $7,000, it was relocated in 1979 in front of the Cathédrale du Christ-Roi on rue de la Cathédrale, then again in 2012 to the National Historic Site of Point of Old Gaspé. This monument is a central testimony to Gaspé's history.

Your route then takes you to the Cathédrale du Christ-Roi, a major Catholic edifice in downtown Gaspé. Although its architecture is more recent, its location on rue de la Cathédrale hosted the Cross of Gaspé from 1979 to 2012, directly linking it to the commemorations of the 400th anniversary of Cartier's cross planting. This place of worship, associated with the 1934 events, is an essential landmark in Gaspé's historic quarter and underscores the importance of the 1534 events for the local community.

By exploring Place Jacques Cartier, located directly across from the National Historic Site of Point of Old Gaspé, you understand the explorer's lasting impact on the city. This public square, named in his honor, is a focal point for commemorations of his territorial claim. It is here, near where the Cross of Gaspé was reinstalled in 2012, that you visualize the significance of the 1534 event, where Cartier met the St. Lawrence Iroquois from Stadacona between July 14 and 25. This site is a window into the foundations of French claims in North America, just a short walk from downtown Gaspé.

Your exploration concludes with a deeper understanding of Jacques Cartier's arrival in Gaspé, a National Historic Event designated by Parks Canada. This 1.5 km walking tour through Gaspé, starting at the Musée de la Gaspésie, allowed you to connect monuments to the specific events of 1534 and 1934. You leave with tangible knowledge of the places that marked the basis of French claims in North America, an immersive experience that helped you decode the history of Quebec and the role of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in its preservation.