Romantic (And Historic) Quebec City Part 1

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Today I’d like to introduce you to Québec City. Québec City is one of my most favorite cities in the whole wide world. It’s also an extremely romantic city. The old town was founded in 1608 by Samuel Champlain of France. This part of the city is surrounded by stone walls and several gates that lead into the old town.

The purpose of the gates was to keep out the enemies of the French settlers. There is an upper and a lower town in Vieux (old) Quebec connected by a funicular ride so you don’t have to walk the very steep stairs between the two parts of town. At the very least though, you should walk down the stairs because nestled in some of the landings are small restaurants that are very, very good. I had an excellent dinner one night in a Belgian restaurant that served muscles in about eight different ways. It was all you could eat with French bread to soak up the juice. Add a little white wine and we had a splendid evening.

Anyway, the old city of Québec features narrow, cobblestone streets wide enough for pedestrians only. Several artists hang out on the streets drawing pictures of the old town and the tourists. The outdoor cafés and restaurants serve great foods, both European and French Canadian traditional fare.

The Chateau Frontenac is definitely prominent in the old city as it sits atop the mountain overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Built in 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railroad as part of their chain of hotels serving travelers, not much has changed since the original hotel was constructed. There’s a great bar in the hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River. You can watch the shipping go up and down the river coming in and out of inland Canada and the Great Lakes system.

Indeed, the history of this city is immense. During the Seven Years War in Europe from 1756 to 1763 the French and English were fighting each other and they both had colonies in North America. The British decided to attack the French in Québec and France was beaten on the Plains of Abraham which is just outside the city walls.

Québec City is also famous for the Citadel, a British fortification built after the defeat of the French in 1759. It was built primarily to defend British North America after the war of 1812. It is the largest working North American fort and has never fired a shot from its position atop the cliffs. There is a museum where you can walk through the old stone walls that were part of the original Citadel.

If true romance is what you are looking for take the ferry to an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, Ile d’Orleans. The ferry is a minimal cost or you can drive over the bridge built in 1940 to connect to the mainland. One of the best ways to enjoy the island is by bike.

On the Ile d’Orleans you will find a farming community with large stone homes dotting the landscape. The island is in fact the main supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables to the city. Some of the historic homes have been turned into really good French restaurants and romantic bed and breakfasts.

Bottom-line, have a romantic time!

Embrace each other!

To be continued….

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Tagged with: Belgian Restaurant • Canadian Pacific Railroad • Chateau Frontenac • Favorite Cities • French Bread • French Settlers • Ile d'Orleans • Inland Canada • Landings • Narrow Cobblestone Streets • Old Quebec • Old Town • Pedestrians • Plains of Abraham • Quebec City • Quebec Winter Carnival • Romantic City • Samuel Champlain • St. Lawrence River • Steep Stairs • Stone Walls • War In Europe • White Wine

Filed under: Canadian Romantic Getaways

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