Quebec City

Written by:   Steve

                                                      We pulled into Quebec City just in time for rush hour, 2pm.  We were greeted with heavy traffic, rude drivers and the lousy attitudes you can expect from any large city.  We had our backs up coming into Quebec City mostly because the chat on the West Coast is that Quebecers don't like Anglophones. We were told  how rude and unfriendly French Canadians were to poor unsuspecting travelers such as ourselves, so we were going in fully loaded.  We did what we normally do when entering a new city, we pulled into the first tourist office we came upon.  Much to our surprise the gal at the desk was very helpful and really nice, and we were happy to find at least one polite person in this 'angry' old province.  She suggested we stay at the Hotel Frontenac, and after seeing the picture, we took her up on her suggestion and started driving towards the walled city. We headed to the heart of old Quebec and the Chateau Frontenac was easy to find as you can see by the picture below. Our first impressions of Quebec City reminded us of Paris, or even Rome in many ways. It was like driving back in time through a European time machine, even our kids seemed to like the looks of this majestic wonderland. 

        So, we pulled up to the Chateau Frontenac, and I can only describe it as one of the most spectacular old buildings I have ever seen. We were treated like royalty from the time we got out of our truck till the time we checked out. The best hotel service we have ever had! 

We were starving, so we unloaded our bags and headed out to grab something to eat.  The concierge at the hotel was very helpful and suggested a restaurant to us that was kid friendly.  She spoke perfect English.  We walked along the cobble stone streets, past horse drawn carriages and into a wonderful old building that housed the Conti cafe.  Our waiter Benoit, who was expecting us, served up some fantastic Spaghetti Bolognaise, steaming soup and a big slab of steak. The meal was fantastic and the coffee was to die for. Benoit was the only person working in the restaurant, and we were the only patrons, so our service was most excellent. Our first night in Quebec made for one of the most enjoyable days of our trip as we could tell we were in a very special place. I can't tell you exactly what it is about this place, only that it has a very safe feeling about it.

Our second day started off with a fantastic breakfast at the Resto Cochon Dingue (crazy pig cafe). The waitress was like everyone we had met so far, very friendly and most polite. She asked us how we were enjoying the city, and how we found the people so far. We told her that we were very surprised at how nice everyone was, and how it was  one of the most beautiful cities we had ever seen. She told us that Quebec city is a very friendly place and that if you treat people nicely you will be treated the same.  The breakfast we had was truly the best we've had anywhere.  The crepes were amazing and they had some of the most delicious eggs benedict ever, complete with homemade apple butter and strawberry compote for the delicious homemade bread.  We drink a lot of coffee at home but Starbucks is nothing compared to this city and their coffee.  It is very strong but so smooth and easy to drink. 

Even though we were in a city that survives off  tourists we did not run into even one unfriendly person when we were there.  We both have limited French abilities, vaguely remembering words from high school, but it was never a problem.  Whenever you walk into a store or restaurant they welcome you with both a Bonjour and a Hello and if you say Bonjour (with the right accent) they will start speaking French, but if you say Hello they will automatically start speaking English.  We spent most of our time just walking, admiring the beautiful architecture, browsing through the boutiques and gift shops, strolling past the art studios.  While we were walking along we overheard a family sitting in the garden of their apartment building.  The father asked the son how he did on his history exam that day and the boy, who was about 8 years old, replied, "Not very good dad, they only asked me questions about things that happened before I was born!"  We got quite a laugh out of that one.

The hotel had a beautiful pool on the 9th floor with the most spectacular view of the city and the St. Lawrence.  We spent a lot of time in that pool with the kids and they had a blast.  The Fairmont's sometimes have a reputation for having small rooms but ours was a good size.  We had two queen-sized beds and a little sitting area with a couch that converted into a single bed.  The location of the hotel, in the heart of the walled city, was perfect as well.  No matter where we walked we were always just a quick turn away from our hotel.  We spent 3 days in Quebec City and vowed that we would be back one day very soon.

Our Hotel sits high above the Cafe's and shops of the lower city. 

Quebec City, with it's never ending Cobbles stone streets, and old Canadian architecture.

So much to see, including the greatest selection of restaurants, fine wine and great coffee.

And if it's romance is what your missing, QUEBEC CITY IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!

I can only guess at that part, as our children won't allow any of that stuff.

   Quebec is still a bit of a political hotspot in Canada, and it appears that the separatist movement is still alive and well. Even though over 60% of Quebecer's do not want to speak about separation, it is part of the culture, and that was quite evident in the last federal election. You see these people have heritage that the rest of Canadians can't understand, never mind appreciate. I myself felt angry about the talk of separation, but it was only that I was not educated on the subject. After being in Quebec for only a few days, we were very impressed and understood a lot more than before. Even the kids were willing to give up some bed jumping time for more time in the Museum and walking the streets. 

I know Canada is a great place, but I feel very proud to live in a Country that has this kind of heritage, and I hope the Quebec people never decide to leave.

 So go to Quebec and meet some of Canada's nicest people, and I am sure your family will have a wonderful time. 

We will be going back, most likely in winter, because this place would be beautiful around Christmas when the flakes are falling.

These streets never end, and are never boring.

History of Quebec

Quebec (keh-behk) is Canada's oldest city. it was founded way back in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain and it was named from a Algonquian word that means "the rivers narrows here". Mr. Champlain picked this spot because the area had high cliffs and the St Lawrence narrowed at this point. It provided the perfect spot to prevent any sort of attack.

  The great King Louis XIV decided to help out the the fur traders who had settled in New France (Quebec), and started sending women out for the men who inhabited  the fledging settlement. In 1666, 58 years later, the plan was in full action and the population grew to an unbelievable 547. France kept persuading people to travel and the numbers continued to grow. 1500 residents by 1690, 34,000 by 1730, and after only 120 years after creation, Quebec was never going to look back.

        Even though they were in the perfect spot, the French were well aware they needed to create a very powerful defense system to protect the capital from the enemy, those persistent Brits, They created a Citidel that stands 106 metres above the city on the cap Diamant.

 The French thought they had it all figured out and knew there was no way the City could be attacked from the river. The only problem was the British surprised the French on September 12 1759. You see those crafty British soldiers commanded by General James Wolfe climbed up those steep cliffs in the cover of darkness and surprised the sleeping French with an all out attack. The French did not have a chance, and lets just say, they absolutely got their butts kicked as the battle only lasted 15 minutes. The French retreated to Montreal, but that's another story. In short,  they were defeated there too and New France would fall to the British.

      Military occupation continued into 1763 and immigrants continued to flow in the area from Britain, Scotland and Ireland. This created considerable tension, I know your thinking "dang soccer hooligans", but it was so much more than simple politics. The French just want to keep their heritage and these new immigrants were messing everything up.

 In 1774 the British passed the Quebec Act, which allowed the French citizens to practice Roman Catholicism and to use French civil law. And to this day the same problems that plagued Quebec back in the 1700's still effect the area today.

Travel is always a learning experience, even if you don't leave in your own country.