No, not a European street, this is Quebec City
As I mentioned in my post on the Île d’Orléans, my immune system let me down rather badly on my arrival in Quebec City, but I was determined not to let that get in the way of getting to know this historic city, the oldest continuously inhabited French settlement in the Americas. I’d spent time in Montreal, and I guess I expected it to be fairly similar so the utter “European-ness” (sorry, as soon as I think of a better word I’ll edit that out) of Quebec City came as something of a surprise to me. Wandering the narrow, cobbled lanes in the shadow of turrets and ramparts and with French as the first language, it’s difficult to remember that one is actually in North America .
A yellow school bus reminds me this is North America, not Europe – Parliament Building, Quebec City
One of the original city gates, Quebec City.
Traditional buildings, Quebec City.
Quebec City was founded in 1608 by French navigator and explorer Samuel de Champlain, who is considered to be the “Father of New France”, and has multiple streets, monuments and sites dedicated to his name. It is also yet another of the Canadian UNESCO World Heritage sites and the only walled city north of Mexico. The city is very, very French and rich in history with two distinctive and famous landmarks – the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac and La Citadelle, an intact, stone fortress which was built in the early 19th century by the British in an effort to secure the city against the Americans.
One of the gated entrances to La Citadelle, Quebec City.
Royal 22nd Regiment Badge, over the entrance to La Citadelle, Quebec City.
Iron gate, La Citadelle, Quebec City.
Part of the old city walls, Quebec City.
The old city is easily explored on foot and that is certainly the best way to get a genuine feeling for this historic place. There are countless interesting little side streets, charming French-influenced buildings and several beautifully detailed trompe-l’oeil murals which serve as a window into the city’s past and culture.
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, Quebec City – completed in 1723.
Very French – roof profile in Quebec City.
Trompe l’oeil mural, Quebec City.
Trompe l’oeil mural, Quebec City.
While there is a strong focus on history in Quebec City, there is also a delightfully whimsical side to this town and I smiled when I came across some quite striking artworks which were part of Les Passages Insolites (The Unusual Passages), a project which brought together professional visual artists and collectives of architects from the Quebec City area to deploy intriguing ephemeral installations over six sites.
LES PASSAGES INSOLITES (The Unusual Passages), Quebec City.
LES PASSAGES INSOLITES (The Unusual Passages), Quebec City.
Actually, if I have to suffer from a horrid URTI (upper respiratory tract infection) then I can’t think of a better place to be distracted from it and my runny nose was soon forgotten as I wandered happily through the charming, narrow streets and in and out of the unique little shops.
Samuel de Champlain monument, Quebec City.
The street outside my hotel door, Quebec City.
It was autumn when I was in Quebec, with perfect mild, sunny days and cool evenings, but I can’t imagine this city being any less than perfect at any time of the year. I envy those North Americans just a bit – fancy being able to visit Europe so very close to home!
While in Quebec, Lambs’ Ears and Honey was a guest of the Canadian Tourism Commission and Quebec City Tourism.
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The last time I was in Quebec city I was with my mother and we stayed at the Chateau Frontenac. It was a place she’d wanted to stay all her life and we had a really good time. My mother grew up speaking mostly French so she got along just fine and everyone speaks English so I did well too. I really love the vibe of the city.
It’s a magical and beautiful place. We were there for 2 nights late last September on a bus tour. We ate at the restaurant within the old walls (the red roofed one in your photo). The creme brulee was the best.
Quebec is definitely on my bucket list! Such a gorgeous city and I love the quirky artwork about the place too.
A bunch of my friends think Quebec city is one of the BEST places in the world. It sure does look funky with a special kinda sass. Like soooooooo many other cities, it is on the bucket list to visit.
Montreal and Quebec are definitely very European. It was only when we would hear English speaking Canadians that we’d be jolted back to Canada!
Hi Amanda… thank you for sharing your visit to Quebec… it certainly looks beautiful and very chic, too. Love that mural! One day perhaps.