Over the years, archeological digs were done in different parts of the city. Place-Royale has long been of interest to archeologists, who focused their efforts on exploring the buildings constructed at the earliest times of the French colony.
The foundations of Champlain's second "abitation" (dwelling) in 1613 were discovered in Place-Royale, partially buried beneath the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church. Other digs unearthed the original foundations of several houses located in Place-Royale. Exhibits and a rich collection of 17th to 19th century artefacts are presented at the l'Îlot des Palais (place islet) site, the location of the Intendant's palace.
The parc de la Visitation (park) in the heart of Sainte-Foy was designated a historic site in 1978. It comprises the ruins of the former churches of the Notre-Dame-de-Foy parish (the last church burned down in 1977), a charnel house, the old part of the cemetery, the entirely renovated presbytery, an observation tower and a public garden.
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