Intact block samples of fibrous peat have been obtained using special equipment from two different sites in the James Bay territory in Quebec. Instrumented test fills were subsequently built at those two sites and the observed behaviour was used to check the laboratory data. The laboratory testing program has included standard 24 h incremental tests and stage creep tests where constant loads were applied for periods of about 30 d. Pore pressure and direct permeability measurements were conducted in most of the tests.The tests have been interpreted using the classical e − log p curves or the tangent modulus approach. The evaluation of compression with time under a constant load has allowed the distinction between primary and secondary consolidation. A certain lag in pore pressure response has been observed and related to incomplete saturation. The coefficient of permeability decreases rapidly with compression as indicated by direct measurements and pore pressure dissipation.The comparison with field observation shows that the 24 h incremental oedometric compression test permits a reasonable prediction of the average settlements at the end of primary consolidation provided the lateral displacement during construction is small. It also shows that the secondary compression observed in the field is about twice what was observed in the laboratory but both show a linear relation with the logarithm of time.Keywords: peat, sampling, compressibility, consolidation, secondary consolidation, permeability, laboratory tests, field behaviour.