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Quirky Quebec

'Je me souviens': where the motto on the license plates comes from

'Je me souviens': where the motto on the license plates comes from

Three words on every Quebec plate. 'Je me souviens' ('I remember') is the province's official motto, created in 1883, and its meaning remains a mystery.

Vieauqc TeamAugust 27, 2026 • Updated September 9, 2026
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Key points

  • Three words on every plate. Look at any Quebec license plate: below the numbers, it reads "Je me souviens." It is the province's official motto, and it has appeared on…
  • Where the motto comes from. While designing the plans of the Palais législatif in Quebec City — today the Assemblée nationale — in 1883, architect Eugène-Étienne Taché…
  • It became official in 1939. The phrase served as Quebec's motto for several decades. It was the adoption, in 1939, of a new coat of arms — on which the motto appears —…

Three words on every plate. Look at any Quebec license plate: below the numbers, it reads "Je me souviens." It is the province's official motto, and it has appeared on the plates since the late 1970s, replacing the old slogan "La Belle Province."

Where the motto comes from. While designing the plans of the Palais législatif in Quebec City — today the Assemblée nationale — in 1883, architect Eugène-Étienne Taché had the words "Je me souviens" carved in stone, beneath Quebec's coat of arms above the parliament's main door, according to the Assemblée nationale du Québec.

It became official in 1939. The phrase served as Quebec's motto for several decades. It was the adoption, in 1939, of a new coat of arms — on which the motto appears — that firmly established its official status.

What does "Je me souviens" mean? That is the whole mystery: Taché left no text explaining his intentions. The meaning is understood through context. The architect had designed the parliament facade as a reminder of Quebec's history — a kind of pantheon peopled with figures from the past, with space set aside for heroes yet to come. The motto, placed above the door, sums up that intention: to remember one's history. With no written explanation, several interpretations still circulate today — which is exactly what makes the phrase so intriguing.

Good to know for newcomers. "Je me souviens" is not a tourism slogan: it is a strong identity symbol you will see everywhere, from plates to official documents. When you register a vehicle, you too will carry those three words. For driving and registration steps, see our guide to the SAAQ.

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