One of the Oldest cities in North America and the only fortified city in USA and Canada, Quebec city could fool you for a European medieval town. This city is a major cultural centre for the French speaking Quebecois and anything east of this city is French immersion. For those living in the Eastern USA and Canada, its a delightful road trip for a week for the price of one trans-atlantic flight. As you drive east of Quebec city the landscape changes to lush green and the road hugging the steep cliffs of the Saguenay fjord. The quaint little villages with a shiny roof church glitters in the valleys. It is always comforting to driving though 300 years of history knowing that a Starbucks is right around the corner with free WIFI to look up what bonne journée means.
Our trip starts In Toronto with an overnight break at Montreal, the second largest city in Canada and biggest city in province of Quebec. Quebec is linguistically French and is culturally diverse it has been recognized by the Canadian Parliament as a 'Nation within a united Canada'. The journey takes us to the 400 year old Quebec city, a fortified old city that has streets after streets of European charm and genuinely so. The trip takes us deep into the Charlevoix region to Tadoussac where the St.Lawrence river hosts 13 species of whales in the brackish waters. For the those driving back to New England, New York or NJ a visit to Derby Line, Vermont in the border of Quebec and Vermont and a visit to Haskell Library with the International border running in the middle of a library would make a great photo opportunity and well worth the detour.
Its is just a joy to stroll the streets of Quebec city. Blocks after blocks of stone buildings, street performers and restaurants. Simply soak in the ambiance and enjoy a cold one or two.
1. Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral : Located on this site since 1647, this is a UNESCO World heritage site of the Historic District of Old Quebec.See:
2. Notre-Dame-des-Victoires : Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is a small Roman Catholic stone church in the Lower Town of Quebec City. Construction was started in 1687 on site of Champlain's habitation and was completed in 1723 (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame-des-Victoires,_Quebec_City)
For the Kids
1. Volière à papillons de Maizerets (Butterfly Garden). Free admission open from 11am to 4pm. http://www.domainemaizerets.com/
Don't Miss
1. Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré : The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a basilica set along the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, 30 kilometres (19 miles) east of Quebec City. It has been credited by the Roman Catholic Church with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled. It is an important Catholic sanctuary which receives about a half-million pilgrims each year, including the Anna Fusco Pilgramage from Connecticut. The peak period of pilgrimage is around July 26, the feast of Saint Anne, the patron saint of Quebec.1
Worth a Visit if you have the time:
1. Canyon Ste-Anne: Has trails around a 74m high waterfall and a few suspension bridges.
2. Whale watching in Taddousac.
Enjoy the sights along the way
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Totally the New France!! One thing's just missing what about the Eiffel tower...?
ReplyDeleteLove to see it!!
From:
backpack