Françoise Chadaillac traveled to Quebec in 1979 to work on a thesis—illustrated with photographs—on urban spaces. While there, she was intrigued by small wooden shacks and other repurposed vehicles parked along the roadside, selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and french fries. These are true institutions, known as “french fry stands.”

“Photographing these ‘stands’ helped me discover a social phenomenon unique to Quebec, one that’s deeply rooted in the lives of Quebecers. And as someone told me during my visits: ‘There isn’t a single Quebecer who doesn’t have a french fry stand in their heart!’ Everyone has their own stand and their favorite fries, their favorite poutine, their favorite hot dog, or their favorite pogo! But above all, I encountered a small slice of humanity—magnificent, simple, clear-eyed, and full of humor—that, by telling us about itself, spoke to us about humanity as a whole. The words I gathered during my photo shoots reshaped my project and seemed just as essential to me as the images themselves.”

For those who haven’t yet discovered Quebec, treat yourselves to this little “detour”—a journey through its vast expanses. For the rest of you, treat yourselves to a stroll back in time through these images and words that the ranks of poets—Gaston Miron, Félix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault, Robert Charlebois, Michel Tremblay, and many others who so skillfully brought their country to life and endeared it to their French cousins. With this book of photos and essays, lunches at the “food truck” around the corner are sure to have the taste and scent of the “Belle Province.”