The Seigneurial System in New France
Because New France was an agrarian, rural society with almost four out of every five people living on a farm, one of the roots of daily life was the seigneurial system. A land distribution and holding system patterned on European feudalism, it created a highly distinctive settlement pattern.
When New France was first being settled, people established themselves primarily along the shores of the St. Lawrence River in order to facilitate communication and transportation. The first Canadian roadway adapted to vehicular traffic, the chemin du Roy, or King’s Highway, was built in 1734. It connected Montréal and Québec City.
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Seigneurial System (wilkepedia.org)
Seigneuries near Quebec (map)
The Seigneurial System Canadian Museum of Civilization
