Trait Carré is the historical district in the heart of Old Charlesbourg. Laid out according to a star shape plan, it dates from 1660 and was devised by Jesuit priests and the intendant Jean Talon. The idea was to group all the homesteads near the main square for defensive reasons. Also look out for the church, town library housed in the old Saint Charles College (1903), and Bon-Pasteur Convent (1883).