Travel and Adventure Abroad

It’s nearing time for my familie's (nearly) annual trip to Quebec City. For the past 5 years we have been camping in Quebec on the American Labor Day weekend. This place means a little extra to me in particular. The first of my Family name to land in the “New World” landed in Quebec City in the late 1600’s. The city has a long and rich history. In fact, it’s the only walled city in North America. With narrow cobble streets lined with quaint shops, it is New France indeed.

Quebec City is located on a bluff overlooking the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The geology of the site made for a near perfect location to build a frontier colony. It is substantially inland, close to the fur trade, yet the St. Lawrence is still wide enough to tack a large sailing vessel. Unspoiled natural areas abut the urban center, with Scandinavian like Fjords just an hour north along the river and unending snowmobile trails in the winter.

Nearby natural attractions include the Chute Montmorency, or Montmorency Falls.

This spectacular waterfall is only minutes by car from the city center. There is an extensive staircase from the river bank or a gondola for a quicker ride to the top. A little further up the road is Les Sept Chutes, or the Seven Waterfalls. This is actually the sight of an old Hydroelectric Power station. Wooded trails wander down the hillside along the river giving scenic vistas of several smaller falls. Even further still is the Saguenay Fjords. Kayak tours of the Fjords are sometimes greeted by Beluga and Finback whales feeding on the rich outflow of the estuary.

In the winter, there is the Carnaval de Québec, or winter carnival. Usually held in late January early February, this is a chance to get out and enjoy the cold weather. There are also several large ski resorts nearby including the famous Tremblant, Massif, and Mt. St. Anne. Snowmobile trip companies abound featuring multiple day trips across the areas many trails.

Downtown is about as European as it gets. At the center is the Chateau Frontenac.

Once a castle, now a Fairmont Hotel with the finest of appointments, it towers above the city. It is perched at the top of the bluff with a commanding view of the harbor and the river. Arround it’s base is the busiest part of the old city. A long wooden boardwalk runs across the hilltop, Terrasse Dufferin is often speckled with ice cream and candy vendors.

Looking down from the Terrasse, you will see Le Petite Champlain. This very quaint alley is lined with shops selling ware of all kinds including live glass blowing.

Restaurants and souvenir shops abound.

Up the hill from the Terrasse is the old fortress. Tours are available and you can learn about the shifting tides of ownership of the new world as most of the major battles were centered here in Quebec. Over in England, you’ll find a statue of General Wolfe at Greenwich commemorating his triumph here over the French whose king brushed off the defeat saying “We fight not over barren plains of snow”. This area has traded hands several times, at one point pushing my ancestors (the Acadians) south to the USA. Some of these peoples ended up following the seaway all the way to Louisiana where they became known as ‘Cadians or Cajuns.

Quebec is a French speaking province and Quebec City is perhaps the most French. However, in the city limits you will not likely have any problems speaking English. Should you wonder further to some of the smaller towns, you may find yourself doing a lot of hand waving if you don’t speak any French.