The Lost Code

Seigneuries: A Land Distribution System

Seigneuries: A Land Distribution System

Illustration by Jean-François Fortin
Musée de la civilisation

The seigneurie was a very methodical land use method that allowed for systematic colonization. The average seigneurie was 5 km by 15 km in size. Seigneurie lots were oriented to the northwest or southeast and were perpendicular to watercourses, which were the main transportation routes.

Each censitaire received a narrow rectangular-shaped plot (about 1,600 m deep and 150 m wide). One side of the first censives conceded bordered the water. Rows of censives along a river were called rangs, or ranges. Once the first rang was complete, new censives were conceded to form a second row behind the first. Roads called montées linked the rangs. More and more rangs were added until the seigneurie was completely full.

This type of land distribution, which impeded the formation of villages, caused homes to be located 150 meters from each other. In Québec, traces of the seigneurial regime can still be seen today.