Quebec City As close to going to France as you can get without going to France!
One of the most
interesting and charming places on the eastern seaboard has to be Quebec City.
Carol and I travelled there for a major conference a few years back and we were
intrigued by its quaint streets, heavy French influence and the striking views
of the Hotel Frontenac that dominate the cityscape. Quebec City has also become
a very popular cruise destination with the annual fall foliage cruises through
New England and eastern Canada.
Quebec has an interesting history. The cradle of French
civilization in America, Quebec City was founded in 1608
by Samuel de Champlain. Quebec is a native
word (Algonquin) meaning where the river narrows. Quebec City is
strategically situated
on the
narrowest part of the St. Lawrence River. It
was a site coveted for its ability to control maritime traffic. No ship could sail towards the great lakes or to the
Atlantic Ocean without permission from whoever occupied Quebec City and placed a
few cannons on both shores of the St. Lawrence River. If you
controlled Quebec City, you
"owned" the
Great Lakes.
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Quebec City is probably the most bombed city in North America. It
was bombed by British, American and French forces. It is home to the best preserved
and maintained walled city in North America. In Quebec City, la Citadel is the largest
military fortification in the Americas.
Construction of the Star shaped fortress
Citadel began in 1820. It took 30 years to
complete.
Military tradition is maintained
by the beating of retreat and the changing of the guard in the summertime. The
Citadel is on top of Cap Diamante 320 feet above the St. Lawrence River.
Today, small cafes and
cozy restaurants, interesting boutiques, lively terraces, elegant squares,
theatres and museums, street performers and mimes all contribute to the charm
and ambience of historic Old Quebec, which is still predominantly European in
spirit. Despite having been ceded to the British in 1759, the city's population
of more than half a million are today 95 percent French-speaking, lending a
definite 'joie de vivre' (joy of living) and culture to the atmosphere. About
four million visitors are drawn to Quebec City each year, to experience this
French influence, the famed Quebec gourmet scene, and the beauty of the historic
Old City where winding cobbled streets are lined with 17th and 18th century
stone houses and churches, beautiful parks, elegant squares, and numerous
monuments. The city is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and is also the
only fortified city in the Americas, north of Mexico. Just a few miles from
downtown numerous opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation, like
horseback riding, canoeing, hiking and skiing can be found.
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The Le Chateau Frontenac Hotel is over 100 years old and is the landmark of Quebec City. It is
probably the most photographed hotel in the world. It was named for the Comte de
Frontenac, the governor between 1672 and 1698. It is very luxurious and many
rich and famous people have stayed in one of the 605 rooms including King George
the 6th and Queen Elizabeth. Some
others are Princess Grace of Monaco, Charles De Gaulle, Ronald Reagan, Lady
Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew, Edith Piaf, Alfred Hitchcock, Boris Karloff,
Elizabeth Taylor, Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Prince Philip,
Richard Nixon and many more. The Chateau Frontenac was
designed by New York architect Bruce Price for William Van Horne, President of
Canadian Pacific Railways and was inaugurated on December 20,
1893. |
While we enjoyed our fall
visit, Quebec hosts the world's largest winter carnival which was first held in
1894. French colonists started holding a rowdy get-together before Lent to eat,
drink and be merry. Today it has snowballed into Québec City's most important
tourist and local event, packed full of activities and entertainment, most based
on Quebec’s unique lifestyle. Events range from a snowshoe challenge to a
double-harness derby, sleigh rides and snow sculpturing, not to mention a host
of performances and a food bazaar.
Just outside the old city
walls stands the imposing 19th-century Parliament Building, inspired by the
Louvre in Paris and designed by the architect, Eugene Etienne Taché. Although it
is the working home of the 125-strong National Assembly, the buildings are open
to visitors for guided tours, offered in English or French, which highlight the
historic value of the unique building as well as informing visitors about the
organization and proceedings of the Québec National Assembly.
The Palace-Royale is
another interesting site. The Place-Royale complex was used in ancient times by
Amerindians for trading, until the leader of the first Quebec French settlement,
Samuel de Champlain, constructed a formal fortified fur trading post in 1608.
The trading post flourished and grew into a thriving town, constructed largely
of wood, until in 1682 it was destroyed by fire. Reconstruction was in
fire-resistant stone, the buildings that still stand today. Known as the market
square, the site once again became a hub of activity, until the end of the 19th
century when its importance declined. By 1950 the Place Royale was a neglected,
decaying area. The Government then initiated a restoration program that has
turned this historic site, known as the 'birthplace of French America', into one
of the city's main attractions. It features a clutch of interesting museums,
living history demonstrations and tours of historic
buildings.
A panoramic bird's eye
view of historic Québec city can be had from the cabin of the Funicular that
travels at an angle of 45 degrees from Louis Jolliet House in the heart of the
old City to Dufferin Terrace. The funicular has been an attraction in the city
since the original steam driven version was erected in
1879.
Guided walking tours of
the three-mile long city fortification wall that surrounds the old city trace
the evolution of the city's defense system across three centuries. The walls are
set with interpretation panels
The cultured ambience, lively
spirit, high safety rating, and a comfortable blend of past and present make
Quebec City worthy of its status as one of the top destinations in the
world. |
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For information on this
or any other great vacation destination, please contact one of our experienced
World Voyager Travel Concierges toll free 877 836-1949 or visit us on the web
at www.worldvoyagervacations.com information@worldvoyagervacations.com
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