Québec City city guide

Québec City (in French: Ville de Québec or just Québec), the capital of the Canadian province of Québec, is a not-so-little piece of France in another hemisphere. Actually, it’s one of the most European cities on the North American continent and a very unusual place. Imagine Disneyland, but then as a functional city. There’s no understanding Québec City without understanding its history. This is where the French arrived in America in 1541. The actual pin-pointed site is now a part of a city, a neighbourhood called Charlesbourg-Royal. It grew into baby Québec City 67 years later in 1608. However, the British have always had their eye on this region. They took their chance in 1629 towards the end of the Anglo-French War. Their victory didn’t last long, as they had to return the city to the French. This exchange of Québec City repeated itself several times. Why were they so obsessed with this particular piece of land? The Saint Lawrence River is the entrée way into the continent. A city located on the river has tremendous importance when it comes to trade logistics.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac overlooking the Old City of Quebec and the Saint Lawrence River

The Château Frontenac (Fairmont Le Château Frontenac) is a grand hotel and one of Quebec's most famous landmarks, thanks to its location on a high rock, the hotel offers fantastic views over the city and the Saint Lawrence River

Think about all blood spilled on those riverbanks. Now, little kids play ball and fly kites on that grass. The imposing Citadel is the only reminder of those violent days. It’s still functional too, as the only historic military fortress in North America. Mostly ceremonial, but the soldiers stationed there will still fire off a salvo at noon. People used that to synchronize their watches back in the day. There’s also a very special ceremony, but it doesn’t have a set schedule. It happens when the previous one…expires. I’m talking about the consecration of Batisse the Goat, the mascot. What does it do? Not much, they dress it up and it looks cute. At least they don’t try to pretend it’s the same goat for the past 200 years.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is like two blocks to the north from there. You can’t miss it. It towers over Québec City and looks amazing after dark when it’s illuminated; 18 floors are nothing to scoff at. Maintained by the Fairmont, a chain of super-exclusive hotels and resorts, the site was opened in 1893. Many such businesses were built along the Canadian Pacific Railway. It makes sense if you think about it. This one, however, takes the cake. It’s hard to even call it a hotel. Frontenac is absurdly large, so much so that it takes up much of the historic district. Three restaurants operate on hotel grounds and none of them serves fast food. It’s also haunted by several ghosts including Louis de Baude de Frontenac, the governor of Québec. His castle used to stand where the hotel is now.

Once there, you can explore the historic district. It’s stunning; it looks like a mix between medieval France and Brooklyn. Picture tiny antique shops, cafes, and stone walls. Don’t miss out on local cuisine while you’re here. Try some baked goods or donuts from Tim Horton’s, it’s Canadian Dunkin Donuts, but better. French onion soup, maple syrup, the CREPES! You can get real fat real fast in Québec City. Thankfully, you don’t need to climb all these stairs, you can take the funicular between the upper and lower parts of the city.

The Montmorency Falls dropping over the cliff shore into the Saint Lawrence River near Quebec City

The Montmorency Falls are just a few minutes drive from downtown Quebec City, a breathtakingly beautiful natural wonder and even higher than Niagara Falls

Wolfe’s Cove Tunnel is another remnant of the Canadian Pacific Railway. This still-operational tunnel beneath the city is a treasure trove of urban legends. Mostly about people stupid enough to enter a one-way tunnel that still has trains running through it. Not very often but still. Historically, it was used to shuttle people from the transatlantic ships to Québec City. Now it serves as a maintenance network for the city’s public transport system.

Take a day trip to the nearby national park to see the Montmorency Falls. They’re only 15 km away from Québec City, you might as well ride a bike there. The photographs don’t serve the site any justice. These waterfalls are much higher than Niagara. The best thing about them is that the administration turned it into an experience. You can watch this marvel of nature from different angles. A stairway allows you to observe it from the sides, or above when you walk the suspension bridge that spans the length of the falls. You can even go deeper and experience it from within if you’re brave enough. Just kidding, please don’t.

No one commented yet. Be the first.

© 2024 City Love Companions
Terms & Conditions Advertising Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Disclaimer
We acceptVisa, MasterCard, Maestro, iDeal