Quebec City (confused many times with the Province of Quebec) is the capital city of the Province of Quebec. It is a city of almost 600,000 people and almost entirely French-speaking.
Québécois people have always felt separated from the rest of the Canadians and much of the tradition that gives the distinctive character of place comes from the Ville de Québec, but especially from Old Quebec.
Coming Up
On our visit to Quebec the first thing that greets us (if you are travelling by train or bus) is the Gare du Palais (Palace Station). Built in 1915, it has been designated a “heritage railway station” by the Historic Places and Monuments Commission of Canada. Its architecture and interior design impressed us pleasantly. It is located directly in “Old Quebec”.
When you arrive by the Gare du Palais, you are already in the old town. The Old Town of Quebec called the Vieux Québec (Old Quebec) was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
It comprises two sectors: the Haute-Ville (Upper City) and the Basse-Ville (Upper City). Both parts are linked with a funicular, although you can go from one to the other on foot.
Hotel Château Frontenac
Located in the Haute-Ville, this hotel was built in a “Frenchchâteau” style in 1893, although it has certain Victorian elements.
It is a luxury hotel, comprising 611 rooms and suites. There are eight executive suites, most bearing the names of important politicians who have stayed in them. Although there is the Hitchcock Suite and the Celine Dion Suite.
Prices range from $200 per night for standard rooms to $1,110/night for the Celine Dion and Elizabeth II suites.
There is possibility to take guided tours, with reviews on the history of the hotel for around 20 US dollars. Although the facilities can be visited free of charge.
Streets with a taste of the past
We like walking tourism. Go back and forth through beautiful streets, sit or stop to contemplate the facades, traditional shops and other attractions of beautiful streets in small cities. And Quebec City met our inclinations to the fullest.
There are several lovely little streets that can be walked in old Quebec. If, like us, you like to delight yourself without haste, leisurely through beautiful streets and feel the joie de vivre of its inhabitants, we can recommend:
En la Haute-Ville: Rue Saint Jean and Rue Saint Louis
En la Basse-Ville: Rue Petit Champlain (a must visit, presumably the oldest shopping district in North America) and Rue du Trésor
La Maison de la Littérature
An old church converted into a Cultural Center, the Maison de la Littérature is a space that not only functions as a library with a large collection of books, but as an exhibition center and rental of spaces for conferences and events.
The interior of the old church and the adjacent structure have won many architectural awards, such as the Grand prix d’excellence 2017 and the Prix dans la catégorie Bâtiments culturels 2017.
The internal spaces, designed in a minimalist style, painted in white and flooded with light, invite you to clear the mind to absorb all the culture and knowledge that its spaces reserve for the curious visitor.
Other adventures in Quebec
Opposite the Place Royale is the Basilica of Notre Damme Church in Quebec, the oldest church in Canada, with more than 350 years of foundation. And a few steps from the basilica is the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, a small church made of stone, its construction began in 1687 on the site of the settlement of Champlain and was completed in 1723.
Surrounding Old Quebec are powerful old walls, making Quebec the last walled city in North America.
Such walls were built and rebuilt in the wars that the French fought against the British for the dominion of the province.
In the Wall stand out the gates of Saint-Jean, Saint-Louis, prescott and Kent.
Although we are not a big fan visiting museums for long hours, we can recommend two important museums of the ville. The Museum of Civilization, which is near the St. Lawrence River, with French history in North America. The National Museum of Fine Arts located in the Plains of Abraham, in the Park of the battlefields
The Parliament of Quebec, an imposing and severe building of 8 floors and seat of the Parliament of the Province of Quebec. There are guided tours and opposite you can appreciate a unique and beautiful fountain called Fontaine de Tourny.
Sainte-Anne de Beaupré
About 30 kms from the city is the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré. It is a pilgrimage center with more than half a million visits annually.
It is an important Catholic shrine, whose pilgrims say that countless miracles have been performed. Near the altar, a number of canes, crutches and other aids for the disabled are shown attesting to the miracles.
Inside, you can see 56 wonderful stained glass windows that give a multicolored symphony when sunlight passes through them. The decoration in which there is a lot of gold gives the impression of sumptuousness.
This church already has about 400 years of history.
Recommended accommodation
The Université Laval (Université De Laval) is a French-speaking public university in Quebec.
It is possible to stay in the student residences of the University of Laval. Which is very attractive for two reasons: low cost and beautiful.
The university campus is beautiful, it also has a beautiful botanical garden, the Roger-Van den Hende. And if we add to that the easy access to transportation to get to know Old Quebec, there’s not much else to think about.
Conclusions
The Quebec region is very proud of its French heritage, in which the French language, the Catholic religion and its European air greater than that of the rest of Canada, gives it a unique and special character.
And the historical and spiritual center of that Francophone pride is undoubtedly Quebec City, especially its old city, which treasures cultural, historical and artistic jewels waiting to be discovered by the visitor.
