The Seminary of Québec was founded by François de Montmorency-Laval, apostolic vicar of Canada in 1663. Responsible for the training of the secular priests working in parishes and in some of the missions, and dedicated to the education of children and young people, the seminary was an important institution in New France. In 1730, it faced serious financial problems, resulting in part from the cost of repairing the damage caused to its imposing building by two fires in the early 18th century. The renovation process took more than 20 years to complete.