Quebec City… where to start? First, lets make it clear, there is not enough room here to let it all out about my great adventure in Quebec City. The city was like a European movie with sub titles and no ending in sight. It transported me back in time. It was historical, unique, romantic and breath taking! I was taken aback from the culture and history oozing from its pores. Progress, as in city expansion, has grown around the history – making history and culture a priority. How enlightening!
Old Quebec is the main tourist destination. That was to be my ground zero the first day. There were a few concerns prior to going in. One was that I was told parking was brutal. Two was that I have not drove the Quebec streets before. No worries… I memorized my route, was downtown before they woke up and had a parking spot by 7AM. Problem solved I was walking from here on in. Beat the traffic when there is no traffic I say!
The tourist office did not open till 8:30 AM. I searched out a java shop nearby and headed for high ground. Behind the parking lot were the Plains of Abraham Park (famous battle field), the Citadel (the fort), plus the beginning to the Fortification Wall which circles Old Quebec.
Porte Saint Jean - The Fortification Wall
I walked the access road of the park to viewpoints overlooking the Saint Laurent River. I snooped around the fort and was itching to walk the wall, but I first should check out what local tourism had to say.
From my information gathering I was told it would take 2 hours to explore Old Quebec. I took 15 hours. Then another 19 hours was spent checking out outside parks and islands like ile d’Orleans and Montmorency Falls.
Old Quebec took a long time because I kept going back in to the narrow streets. I zig-zagged, doubled back and looped all over Old Quebec at least three times. I deduced I may have got carried away but there were so many unique European-like alleys of shops, hidden statues, patios and heritage buildings.
Most normal people explore Old Quebec from the streets. Well.. I am not like most normal people. I decided to start by walking the Fortification Wall and observing Old Quebec from high above. (Main BLOG Photo). It was a good move as I could get my bearings of the city.
I walked from the Citadel to Porte St Louis and then to Porte Kent enjoying views of shops, the tops of patio umbrellas, massive stone buildings, heritage sites and streets of people. Next was Porte St Jean overlooking the market square referred to as Place D‘Youville. Here was the highest point on the wall looking down onto the main market in Old Quebec.
Promenade and Hotel Frontenac
Then I walked back along different streets connecting to the Promenade Terresse Dufferin. It is a boardwalk sightseeing promenade in front of the Hotel Frontenac perched high up on an escarpment. Below is the waterfront and the Saint Laurent River.
It is a wooden walkway, within the fortification walls, with lookouts, shelters, musicians, statues, canons and benches. The boardwalk connects to the Governors Promenade (another walkway) which leads back to the Citadel along a cliff side walkway going under the walls of the Citadel.
Parliament Hill next to Plains of Abraham and the Citadel is a good ground zero for beginning a walking sightseeing tour of Old Quebec. It is close to many of the big name streets like Saint Jean and Saint Louise. And not far from the fortification promenade and many historic buildings.
Place Royal
Place Royale is located below the Fort of Old Quebec. The foot of the cliffs on one side and the Saint Laurent River on the other. It is a neighborhood of unique stores on pedestrian walking streets made of cobblestone lined with patios, hanging flower pots, benches, stone steps – so European. It is the first group of bistros to greet visitors arriving from the ferries and cruise lines entering the port.
The Champlain Promenade is another trail we should mention. It follows the shores of the Saint Laurent River. It is a bike and walking path connecting with views, picnic areas and art gardens. For some private time, there are small picnic areas located along the path. For cyclists it is a must.
There is so much more to tell you but you will have to wait for the QuebecEH.com website.