Visit to Quebec City
5 - 8 September 2009
It was the Labour Day long weekend, and we arranged to go Quebec City for the weekend escape. Had always heard lots of strong recommendations about Quebec City from the locals, and I was excited to check out that place...
1 ~ Our train ride to Quebec City
In fact, we actually managed to get a pretty good deal for the train ticket to Quebec. Previously the train workers went on strike for a few weeks, and as part of the compensation and PR purposes, that train company had offered more than 60% discounts on their regular train rides. Of course good deals don't come with no effort; I had to queue more than an hour for the tickets, and of course the train ride was not as fast as the flight, so some travelling time was expected.
2 ~ Gare du Palais
This is the Central Station for the trains. First thought is that it remains me of the Brussels Central Station. Maybe this is named in French, so it remains me a lot about the dear old central station in Brussels.
A cute little art display just outside the station: the World and my Home. As we toured around the city in the subsequent days, we realized that there were quite a lot of such cute little things on display around the place. So they are like little surprises for us every time we come across one. That's also why I think I am always on a photo-taking spree in Quebec City itself.
3 ~ Our B&B room
We checked in one of the B&B called Gite De Paris along St. Genevieve. It is right inside the Old Town area, and easily accessible to the main tourist attractions. Everywhere is within walking distance from our place. It's not along the main street so it's quiet enough for a good night's sleep. There is a private bathroom in the room, and downstairs is the dining area, with breakfast buffet served every morning.
4 ~ St. Anne
Along St. Anne, you will see lots of restaurants, and stalls along the street selling drawings and art pieces, and live demonstration of self potraits.
5 ~ St. Louis
More restaurants along this street...
Coincidently, we randomly ran into a S'porean family along the street in the old town, and we arranged for a dinner together at this recommended restaurant, Aux Anciens Canadiens. The food is great but I particularly loved the dessert, which is blueberries mixed with maple rock sugar and cream. The sour-ish blueberries is balanced off by the sweet maple sugar, and coupled with rich creamy taste, it's heavenly delicious!!! :D Most importantly, it offers a full set lunch menu with 3 courses and a beer or wine, at very affordable price of $25.
This restaurant is housed in one of the oldest houses in Quebec, built by Francois Jacquet in 1675-76. Prominent citizens of Quebec City lived here, of whom Philippe Aubert de Gaspe, author of Les Anciens Canadiens, from 1815-1824.
6 ~ St. Jean
This street is great for shopping, restaurants, clothes, snacks, small bites, drinks, desserts, ice cream, souvenirs, and all kinds of cute little things...
Piggy series...
7 ~ Basilica Notre-Dame-De-Quebec
This cathedral towers above the site of a chapel erected by Samuel de Champlain in 1633. It became one of the continent's first cathedrals in 1674, following the appointment of the first bishop of Quebec.
8 ~ La Citadelle & Promenade
La Citadelle was built by the French in 1750 and completed by the British in 1850, it served as an important defense system against an American invasion that never came. The star-shaped Citadelle dominated an area of 2.3 sq km, one of North America's largest fort. From here, there is a large Promenade walking trail along the St. Lawrence River leading to the Terrasse Dufferin.
9 ~ Terrasse Dufferin
The other major landmark is the splendid, dominating, copper-topped, castle-styled Le Chateau Frontenac hotel dating from 1893. Behind the Chateau, a large boardwalk called the Terrasse Dufferin edges along the cliff, providing fabulous views across the river. It is peppered with quality street performers vying for attention. Below the Chateau is the old Lower Town, the oldest section of the city.
10 ~ Petit Champlain
Edge down the charming and steep Rue Cote de la Montagne that leads you down to Rue du Petit-Champlain, or you can also take the funicular from Terrasse Dufferin. The Old Quebec Funicular is a funicular railway or rather some kind of a cable lift that connects between the upper and lower neighbourhoods.
Teeming Rue du Petit-Champlain with Rue Sous le-Cap, it is said that they are the narrowest streets in North America, and is the centre of the continent's oldest business district.
Some of the nice little alleys and cozy corners in and around Petit Champlain...
See those little shoes sticking onto the walls of the building...interesting...
11 ~ Place Royale
Three-dimensional murals on the wall that span across three storeys high, displaying the distinctive features of the French and British influence on architecture styles, and the contrasting cultures and lifestyles of the people in the mural. Every bit of the mural seems to be revealing a little secret and and story of that person. Very impressive!
We pretended to be part of the mural, eg. going up the steps, throwing in the coins, and sitting by the kerb... ;)
12 ~ Remparts
One of the ways to get out of the fortified old town is through Rue des Remparts, where we can overlook the waterfront outside the walls. The houses along this street have a mix of Flemish and French style, Flemish being that the windows are built on corner towers, and French being that the tall second story windows is often arched at the top.
We came across an interesting sight where the houses are numbered in fractions! Very weird, it reminds me of the 3-and-a-quarter train platform in Harry Potter!!
13 ~ Museum of Civilization
This renowned state museum offers a dozen exhibitions and presents an interactive experience for both children and adults, with displays of artifacts, photos and recreations of historic and domestic scenes. Check it out on Tuesdays when admission is free!
Grand Seminary of Quebec is a community training ground for prospective Catholic priests.
14 ~ St. Paul
Rue Saint-Paul is where you will find various boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and cafés as you stroll down its narrow, colorful streets.
The Marché du Vieux-Port is the market place where farmers from the region sell their produce.
15 ~ Cote du Palais
We discovered another mural while walking in from outside the Wall along Cote du Palais. At first I thought that the balloon was real, until its shadow gave it away. Compare and contrast that with the shadow of the wall lamp in the lights of the evening sun...
16 ~ City Gate
Located between the Parliament Buildings and the Artillery Park National Historic Site, Place D'Youville is a popular square next to the St-Jean Gate and is always full of life during every season. In the warmer months, street musicians perform for tourists and locals, while skateboarders and rollerbladers take a break from the urban bustle. In winter, hit the skating rink for a leisurely afternoon with a nice view.
17 ~ Grande Allee
La Grande-Allee is a bustling street in the famous Saint Jean-Baptiste neighborhood, boasting of a hip and happening nightlife, with plenty of nightclubs, pubs and bars. This is the place to be if you wanna get in touch with the vibrant nocturnal activity in Quebec City.
The 19th-century, Louis XIV style Parliament Buildings are the home of the National Assembly of 125 province representatives. The design of this beautiful 1886 building was inspired by the Louvre Museum in Paris.
18 ~ Train back home
Heading home after a wonderful 3D2N in Quebec City! I have an awesome photo-taking spree in the pretty city, it seems like every corner is worth a click, and now with loads of pictures to sort out.
During our stay, we had a small little bonus experience, where we actually managed to catch a terrific outdoor performance by the Cirque du Soleil, that offered a theatralized show full of music, amazing stunts, light effects and colourful costumes. Free of charge, but absolutely remarkable! :)
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