Description of Historic Place

The French People’s House, part of La Petite-Ferme historic complex, is located within the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. It is a small and simple, "crépi" covered dwelling with a high-pitched roof and few window openings. The building has an imposing chimney with an integrated wood-burning oven outdoors. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The French People’s House is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The French People’s House is associated with several Canadian historical themes. Artifacts found on the site indicate an aboriginal presence for over two thousand years. The house is also associated with the seigniorial system established by the French colonial authority. As a result of this system, the Seminary of Québec was allowed to operate a farm at Cap Tourmente for over three hundred years. The evolution of farming methods at La Petite Ferme mirrored the progress of agriculture in Québec as a whole, and as such the house is associated with a significant phase of farming in Québec. Finally, the inclusion of the site in the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, acknowledged as the habitat of the only population of giant snow geese in the world, relates to the theme of wildlife preservation.

Architectural Value
The French People’s House is valued for its good aesthetic and functional design and is an example of the architecture of the French regime. Its survival for more than 250 years is indicative of the quality of the materials used and the workmanship of the period.

Environmental Value
The French People’s House reinforces the present character of its farm setting at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. It is a prime destination for tourists and a familiar meeting place for numerous organizations and researchers from other nations who are concerned with the preservation of wildlife and plant species.

Sources: Christine Chartré, Bâtiments de la Petite ferme à Cap-Tourmente, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 91-039; House – La Petite Ferme, Cap Tourmente, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 91-039.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the French People’s House should be respected.

Its good aesthetics and functional design with principal elements that reflect the French Regime, and the good craftsmanship and materials, as for example:
- its storey-and-a-half massing, built close to the ground, with few window openings;
- its high gable roof and its large chimney;
- its stone construction with "crépi" covered exterior walls;
- its open interior layout;
- its structural beams in the ceiling and period details such as an outdoors wood-burning oven integrated into the chimney.

The manner in which the French People’s House reinforces the present character of its farm setting at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area and is a well-known building, as evidenced by:
- its overall scale, massing design and materials that harmonize with its associated farm buildings and which provide the basis of the current character of its setting;
- its role as a prime destination for tourists visiting the wildlife area every year;
- its role as a meeting place for numerous organizations and researchers associated with the preservation of wildlife and plant species at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area.