EVERY year, thousands of Europeans, especially French people, decide to cross the Atlantic to discover Quebec.

Tourists for sure, but also young people tempted to study or work there, at least to settle there temporarily or permanently. Being part of several networks, including Couchsurfing, but also French expatriate Facebook groups, I have read all kinds of requests for information, all kinds of projects.

So I thought it would be good to ask two French friends why they decided to live Le Rêve Québécois – the Quebec Dream. They had to face government administrative challenges but were determined to embrace full integration, from marriage to purchasing a property.

Lena Jallier, originally from Tours, arrived in Gaspé in eastern Quebec in 2021 for two years of professional training. Like many other French women, she wanted to study abroad to expand her knowledge. Quebec immediately appealed to her.

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“Quebecers are more than our cousins, they are our brothers, and Quebec has a history much more linked than we think with France and Europe, through its Francophone and Francophile culture, its defence of national languages, gender equality and secularism,” Jallier said.

Her message is clear – namely that changing countries is a great move when you are young, and living Le Rêve Québécois opens doors to the world.

Jallier adds that an independent Quebec could play a leading role at the United Nations, being peaceful in its nature and history.

“To be part of the team,” she says. “Clearly, a Quebec Army made up only of peacekeepers could provide specialist humanitarian aid during natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes, like the French Army which has become a specialist in these situations.”

An Entrepreneurial El dorado

Gil Weisman, who was born in Grenoble, moved to Quebec 10 years ago. An entrepreneur at heart, he joined Drone Des Champs a few years later as technical director.

Founded in Quebec in 2017 by another Frenchman, Nicolas Deschamps, the company provides drone technology to organisations in the world of agriculture, environment and construction.

Weisman said: “Our expertise in the fields of drones, imaging and data processing makes us a leader in Quebec in supporting our partners in the development of solutions.”

Weisman sees in himself in the legendary entrepreneurial spirit of Quebecers. He said: “Setting up your business is easier than in France but entrepreneurs face the same challenges.

“Building customer loyalty in a field where technological change is constant.”

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Quebec is an ambitious nation, with leaders throughout the territory, particularly in the Beauce region, which lies south of Quebec City, and which Weisman regularly visits. He said: “It’s a region full of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a welcoming population.

“Doing business becomes easier than in France, at least in negotiations with our clients – businesses, agricultural producers and municipalities.”

The company exports to Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Mexico, and even to France, with its sights on adding other countries, including Scotland.

Many historical figures have lived or live in Quebec, drawing inspiration from it in their careers. Valéry Giscard D’Estaing (1926-2020), former French president (1974-1981), taught at Collège Stanislas in Montreal in 1948. It was under his tenure that regular meetings of French prime ministers and Quebecois were established.

More recently, the great former French footballer Marinette Pichon chose to move to Quebec to coach a team from the west of Montreal.

And 2022 Olympic figure skating champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron have lived and trained in Quebec for almost 10 years.