Since that was my first time in Quebec City, we chose a shore excursion that focused on the city itself, as opposed to day tours to the outskirts of the Old Town.
When we docked at 7:00 am that day, the first thing I noticed was the imposing silhouette of the Chateau Frontenac, the most recognizable landmark of this city. After a hearty and relaxing brunch, we disembarked to join the tour that would introduce us to the European charm and character of the first French city in North America.
I thought Montreal is French, but setting foot in Quebec City made it pale in comparison. The city has a 400-year old French legacy that was evident in its architecture, culture, and general atmosphere. I did not expect it to look as quaint as any European city I pictured in my mind. My husband said that we may have skipped Europe this time, but in Quebec, I would get a glimpse of what it is like.
We explored Old and New Quebec in approximately two and a half hours and had some spare time to independently peruse shops and try some local snacks. Admittedly, this was not a lot of time, but it was good enough for an introductory visit.
In the heart of the Lower Town, we admired the beautifully restored market square of Place Royale, magnificently preserved with its narrow cobblestone streets and typical 17th and 18th-century stone buildings. We visited the oldest standing Catholic church in North America, the Notre Dame des Victoires, named after the French victory against the British in the 1690 Battle of Quebec. We wandered along Petit Champlain, the city’s oldest commercial district.
My husband stumbled upon a geology store that sells rocks, gemstones, and minerals, while I hopped from one artisan shop to another to admire local art work. We bought sets of cheese plates with matching knives at a store that specializes in glass and ceramic art to take home as presents. We also watched a few street performers in colourful garbs and took photos against the backdrop of the gigantic eye-deceiving mural that depicts a number of key figures in Quebec’s history. It looked so realistic that you’d think another century has suddenly come alive.
Then we took the funicular to the Upper Town perched on a hill, where we enjoyed the view of the St. Lawrence River from the Chateau Frontenac. There was a boardwalk by the Dufferin Terrace perfect for a romantic walk, but alas, we could only take photos against the backdrop of the St. Lawrence Mountains and the nearby Île d’Orléans as we had to leave for a city bus tour.
Our drive took us to the trendy Grand Allée, the Champs-Elysées of Quebec, lined with quaint shops, sidewalk cafés, and boutiques and then to the Parliament Building, and finally a couple of stops, first at the Plains of Abraham, and next, at The Citadel.
The Plains of Abraham was the site of the historic battle where the French surrendered to the British in 1759. The Citadel is a fortress built on top of Cap Diamant, adjoining the Plains of Abraham, that was built by the British to protect the city from invaders. It is the oldest military building in Canada. Our guide gave us a brief account of the battles and their outcomes throughout the history of this province.
As we returned to our ship, I had a better understanding of the French and British relations in this part of the country and vowed to return to learn more.
(We did return a few more times with our son, and stayed longer on each trip. We also visited the areas within the city’s vicinity. I wrote about those visits as well. Stay tuned for succeeding posts on Quebec City with more details on each city section.)
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