Quebec City: This Historic Canadian Destination Is Full of Surprises!
There’s splendid grandeur, for sure, but much more
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For as far back as I can remember, I’ve had a yearning to visit French-speaking Canada.
With its historical architecture and European influences, Quebec has always carried romantic connotations for me. It also offered the prospect of some relaxation and fresh mental stimulation.
I was in bad need of a break from the U.S. for a couple of reasons:
- Firstly, Florida, where I live, becomes unbearable at this time of year. In addition to the uncomfortable heat and humidity, the bug population breeds like crazy.
- Secondly, the intense craziness of America, with its gun violence and rabid politics, can drag me down.
For me, Canada promised to be a more temperate place, both climate-wise and culturally.
Luckily, when I suggested it as a vacation destination, my wife was just as enthralled by the idea as me.
Arrival in Quebec City
We flew into Montreal and from there took the train to the province’s capital. Everything ran smoothly, but it was a long day of travel for us, thanks in large part to a long stopover at Charlotte Airport.
The Airbnb where we were staying was located in Lower Town, the oldest section of Quebec City. It was just a fifteen minute walk from the rail station, so we hauled our baggage there on foot.
The sun was setting as we neared our apartment. Suddenly, we looked up and there was the imposing Château Frontenac looming over us from the promontory high above. The shadowy shapes of the hotel’s steep rooves, fortress-like central tower, and pointed turrets seemed magical in the semi-darkness.
We could already tell that Quebec was going to give us everything that we desired and more.
A Very French Feel
Perhaps it should be no surprise that the capital city of an area that was once named New France should have such a European feel at its historic heart. However, I did not expect to be quite as blown away as I was by the beauty of its cobbled streets and unique splendor.
There really isn’t anything like Quebec in the US. For sure, New York has some spectacular buildings, Charleston has its own genteel charm, and New Orleans has its French Quarter — but nothing quite matches Quebec for grandeur.
Below are three highlights from our trip:
Château Frontenac
The jewel in the crown of Quebec and its most famous landmark, the hotel looks like it’s been airlifted in from the Loire valley, France, and has a reputation for being the most photographed hotel in the world.
We viewed the chateau from various angles and took a stroll along the Terrasse Dufferi on our first day, all the while taking in the scenic view of the expansive St. Lawrence River. You can go inside the Frontenac without being a guest, so we explored its interior and drank a coffee there.
My wife wondered aloud how much it cost to book a room at the hotel. I looked it up on my smartphone and couldn’t find anywhere for less than $500 per night. I think we’ll be sticking with Airbnb for the time being.
Montmorency Falls
A short bus ride from the center of Quebec is Montmorency Falls Park. Here can be found a waterfall that is 272 feet tall, which, in case you’re wondering, makes it 99 feet higher than Niagara Falls. We arrived at the park with a small backpack, some drinking water and snacks, as well as a large amount of enthusiasm.
Experiencing the park and falls involved walking a long looping trail with a scenic stairway. There was also a suspension footbridge to cross.
There’s a zip line at the park, too, but it was closed the day that we were there, which was fine, as we had no plans to use it.
The views of the falls are simply stunning and you get close enough to feel the power of the cascading water. We ended our jaunt with a ride on the park’s cable car.
Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec
Another incredible historical building that we saw was the Cathedral, which has stood on the same location since 1647. It’s been designated a National Historic Site of Canada and is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic District of Old Québec.
The ornate Baroque interior of the church is spectacular. It also has a holy door, only the second outside Europe and only the eighth in the world. The Cathedral provides a resting place for four governors of New France.
Summary
I would recommend that you put Quebec City on your bucket list, if you’ve not already been. It’s truly a unique place, somewhere that you just won’t see or experience anywhere else in the world.
It’s not expensive and there’s lots to do. The people there are friendly and cheerful, and although French is the first language, virtually everyone also speaks excellent English.
When‘s a Good Time to Visit Quebec?
We went in early June and the weather was very pleasant. The daytime temperatures were in the low seventies degrees Fahrenheit and the evenings were in the low fifties. It rained a few times, but not enough to dampen our enthusiasm.
According to tripsavvy.com, June through to September is the best time to go for warm, sunny weather and there are lots of festivals happening at this time. The weather is colder and more challenging from December through February, but there are plenty of festivals and winter activities to experience, such as skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
