
PRÉFACE
PROLOGUE - UN CAUSEUR D'AUTREFOIS.
UN CAUSEUR D'AUTREFOIS
LA GRANDE HERMINE.
LA PETITE HERMINE
L'ÉMÉRILLON
UN NOËL BRETON
ÉPILOGUE
APPENDICE
PRÉFACE
A Christmas feast unfolds in the early days of New France, when Jacques Cartier’s ships have just brushed the icy shores of the Saint‑Lawrence. The story gathers a motley crew of sailors, missionaries, and the local Wendat village, all drawn together by the promise of warmth, music, and shared wonder beneath a glittering sky. Their tentative camaraderie reveals a world caught between discovery and tradition.
Through the eyes of a curious young apprentice, the narrative blends meticulous historical detail with the sparkle of imagination. As the fire crackles and the table groans under abundant fare, conversations drift from the mysteries of the New World to the marvels of emerging science, echoing the era’s debate over “useful” versus “frivolous” reading. The gentle humor and vivid descriptions make the period feel immediate, while the undercurrent of looming winter hints at challenges ahead.
Listeners will be carried by the lyrical prose and the palpable sense of community that blossoms around the holiday table. The tale invites reflection on how stories can nourish both mind and heart, just as a well‑served feast satisfies body and spirit.
Language
fr
Duration
~7 hours (421K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Rénald Lévesque
Release date
2007-02-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1854–1921
A key figure in Quebec literary and historical circles, this journalist-turned-librarian wrote lively works that brought New France and early Canadian history closer to ordinary readers. His books mix careful research with a strong feel for place, memory, and local tradition.
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