Participants in traditional clothing marched through Quebec City Thursday. (CBC)

Quebec City is Canada's most beautiful city, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Thursday, as he and a slew of other dignitaries celebrated the historic centre's 400th birthday.

'Where I come from, there's a saying that you must have two cities in your heart: your own and Quebec City, because it is the most beautiful city in Canada, the most enchanting.'— Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Harper, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean and French Prime Minister François Fillon were among many dignitaries at a ceremony marking explorer Samuel de Champlain's arrival on July 3, 1608.

"1608 is a historic date for you, for Quebec and for all of Canada," Harper said. "Because it was beginning on July 3, 1608, exactly 400 years ago today, that we really started becoming what we are today.

"My dear compatriots, maybe I grew up in Toronto and decided to live in Calgary with my family, and I work in Ottawa, but where I come from, there's a saying that you must have two cities in your heart : your own and Quebec City, because it is the most beautiful city in Canada, the most enchanting."

The province’s capital is a city that breathes a real "joy," Harper said.

He also also referred to the "Québécois nation" in his speech.

"The seeds planted here 400 years ago today have blossomed into a magnificent city, a strong and proud Québécois nation, and a great Canadian country, strong and free. What an amazing legacy."

Dignitaries honour Champlain

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean paid homage to Quebec's founders.

"Quebec, with its language and culture that give it life, is beautiful, strong, and more vibrant than ever," she said in French.

'There is a French spirit in every Quebecer, and a Quebec dream in every French person.'— French Prime Minister François Fillon

Grand Chief Max Gros-Louis from the Huron-Wendate Nation said he was honoured to host the festivities.

"We are taking advantage of this day to love each other, to get to know each other better and to work together," he said in French.

Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume spoke of Samuel de Champlain's courage and determination, and noted that the city's founders were from diverse origins. "This 400th is a birthday for everyone," he declared.

French Prime Minister François Fillon talked about the strong ties between his country and Quebec. "There is a French spirit in every Quebecer, and a Quebec dream in every French person," he said in French.

Former French prime ministers Alain Juppé and Jean-Pierre Raffarin and former presidential candidate Ségolène Royal were also in attendance.

Royal is president of France's Poitou-Charentes region, where Champlain was born.

Charest noted that Champlain brought the French language to Quebec. "It's our most precious heritage," he said, adding that Champlain's tenacity is a strong character trait among Quebecers.

Weather makes for a damp party

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Loreen watch anniversary celebrations in Quebec City under a canopy of umbrellas. (CBC)Grey skies and misty rain did not deter revellers in Quebec who gathered for La Vieille Capitale’s celebration.

The morning salute to Champlain was followed by a parade of soldiers and police officers dressed in military garb from different historical periods.

The parade, which included soldiers from the Valcartier base, was greeted by a few dozen anti-war protesters from Montreal who denounced Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

Police said there was no trouble to report, and no arrests were made.

To mark the historic occasion, Quebec is throwing what organizers are calling the biggest party on the continent.

More than 2,000 people showed up for a free crêpe and chocolate breakfast Thursday morning, provided courtesy of Quebec City.

The birthday party will wrap up with a giant concert featuring Robert Charlebois et Diane Dufresne, and an elaborate fireworks display in the evening.

Bells ring from coast to coast to coast

A chorus of bells rang out across Canada Thursday morning in honour of the 400th bash.

Bells in hundreds of locations — including the Peace Tower, churches, fire halls and museums — were sounded in a synchronized musical commemoration at 11 a.m. E.T. to honour Quebec City’s birthday.

Thursday's events are among months of activities planned to mark the city's 400th anniversary.

The celebrations will include a free outdoor concert on Aug. 22 that will be headlined by French-Canadian superstar Céline Dion, and a special Le Cirque du Soleil show in October.

With files from the Canadian Press