Quebec City, an unparalleled romance

When I arrived in Quebec City in 2005, I was immediately touched by its beauty and its enchanting settings on 200 foot high cliffs with stunning views of the surrounding Laurentian Mountains and the St. Lawrence River.

Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. Historic Québec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. From the top of its imposing ramparts down to the mighty St. Lawrence, Québec City, the only fortified city north of Mexico, is your invitation to plunge into a colorful pageant of history.

Orienting yourself in Quebec is fairly easy. Many sights of interest are in the Old Town (Vieux-Québec), which constitutes the walled city on top of the hill. Visit the Artillery Park featuring many historic buildings, including an impressive redoubt dating from the French Regime. If you like museum, have a look at the Musée de l’Amérique française, and the Musée des Ursulines.

Take the funicular to the Lower Town, whose origins hearken back to the first days of the colony. Place-Royale and the adjacent Petit-Champlain quarter are full of activity with an interpretation centre, shops, and many restaurants and bistros. On Place Royale, do not miss the huge mural covering the entire side of a nearby building; the figure with a hat standing at the base of the stree' is Champlain. An interesting museum is the Musée de la civilisation. Walk along the Old Port or, in summer, hop aboard a refreshing cruise on the river.

If you decide to climb back up toward the Citadelle dominating the city, you’ll pass by the medieval Château Frontenac with gables and turrets. From there, stroll along the Dufferin Terrace, a boardwalk offering a grand view of the St. Lawrence River. If you keep going, you’ll come to the Plains of Abraham, also known as Battlefields Park. This vast green space was the site of the fateful clash in 1759 between the French and British armies, one of the most significant military events in North American history. The site also houses the Musée national des Beaux-Arts du Québec, with its remarkable collection of Québec art and steady stream of major international exhibitions.

The Upper Town and Lower Town are connected by many staircases, all of which are unique, such as the aptly-named Escalier Casse-Cou ("Breakneck Stairs").

How to get there? You can find Cheap Flights to Montreal then Quebec is at 3 hours by car or bus.