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{"id":2814,"date":"2024-01-21T15:14:41","date_gmt":"2024-01-21T15:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chircee.com\/?p=2814"},"modified":"2024-01-21T15:17:55","modified_gmt":"2024-01-21T15:17:55","slug":"quebec-city-the-most-european-city-outside-of-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chircee.com\/quebec-city-the-most-european-city-outside-of-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Qu\u00e9bec City: The Most European City Outside of Europe!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The last entry in the journal of my trip to Qu\u00e9bec City is a question I asked myself during my time in this city: \u2018Have I become jaded by my travels?\u2019. Reading it today takes me right back to the emotions I felt on the trip; the worry that my wanderlust had been vanquished because I didn’t feel awed by Qu\u00e9bec City. Now I know better. Yes, the more I travel and see the world, the harder places need to work to make me feel amazed by them\u2026 but it is also true that you fall in love with some places and others, while perfectly pretty, do nothing for your soul. Qu\u00e9bec, for me, belongs to the latter category. (That was my personal experience. I know of people who absolutely love the city, so don\u2019t take my opinion as gospel).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Quebec
Its old city walls would not look out of place in a European city <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Qu\u00e9bec is a charming city and has a European feel to it, which was different from the other cities I visited in Canada (Toronto and Calgary in particular, less so Montreal). Its old city walls are still standing, its cobbled streets and narrow lanes wrap around houses heavily influenced by 17th and 18th century French architecture\u2026and of course, its denizens speak French.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Bastion,<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I spent a couple of days in the city. The weather was dull and overcast half the time, which\u00a0 put me in a bad mood and probably coloured my view of the city. I stayed in Old Qu\u00e9bec, a pretty touristy part of the city, and only ventured out of the area to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1 – Chateau Frontenac and Petit Champlain\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first full day started with a free walking tour (always the best way to get to know a place). I learnt that Qu\u00e9bec City was the first European settlement established in North America, in 1608. It is the only city with fortified city walls north of Mexico and its \u2018Old Town\u2019 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Fairmont
Iconic view of Chateau Frontenac at Dufferin terrace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We walked part of the city walls, wandered past its Parliament building and down Rue Saint-Louis, a street lined with notable buildings; we continued along narrow lanes through the Old Town and ended at Dufferin Terrace with the iconic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac hotel in the background. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"View
View of the chateau from lower town <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Saint
Walking towards Plains of Abraham. Saint Lawrence River in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I walked the length of the terrace, taking in the views of Saint Lawrence river and continued onto the Promenade des Gouverneurs which led to the Plains of Abraham. This historic park is the site of the decisive battle that resulted in the British seizing control of Qu\u00e9bec from the French, in 1759. There is a museum, the Citadele of Qu\u00e9bec, as well as walking trails on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Lower
Lower town<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I made my way back towards Chateau Frontenac and this time, took the stairs that lead down to the lower town, Petit Champlain. (There is an option to take a funicular). Petit Champlain is a vibrant neighbourhood that has pedestrian -friendly streets filled with boutique shops, cafes and museums and is arguably the most picturesque part of the city. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Petit
Pretty streets of Petit Champlain <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"
Exploring Petit Champlain<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Rue du Petit Champlain is probably the most photographed street in Qu\u00e9bec City. It has cute bistros, galleries, confectionary shops etc housed in beautiful heritage buildings with brightly painted doors and hanging flower pots. Along the street is Parc F\u00e9lix-Leclerc, an adorably small park with rest benches and shaded areas. Although quite a beautiful street, it was often heaving with people and I much preferred walking along quieter streets of the neighbourhood.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Place
At Place Royale…very European <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Place Royale, the historic square (and exact location where Samuel de Champlain first settled in Qu\u00e9bec) has pretty buildings including the oldest stone church in North America, Notre Dame des Victoires. However my favourite experience was exploring \u2018Le Musee du Bad Art\u2019 – a museum celebrating bad art in all its forms. It had some of the worst art I\u2019ve ever seen but they were so bad they were almost cool! I wondered what it would take for me to have my art exhibited there. I\u2019d definitely recommend a visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2 – Parc de la Chute-Montmorency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Montmorency
Montmorency Falls <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I made my way to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency on my second day in the city.. Located minutes from downtown Qu\u00e9bec, the central attraction of this park is an 83-metre (272-feet) high waterfall. It is 1.5 times higher than Niagara Falls, although not as powerful. There are trails that allow you to appreciate the beauty of the waterfall at ground level; the route is flat and there are observation\/viewing platforms along the way. Alternatively you can hop in a cable car to the top or take a zipline across the falls. And if you\u2019re feeling even more adventurous, try \u2018Via Ferrata\u2019 – a climbing route along the vertical face of the cliff next to the falls!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Parc
Observation deck on the trail <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I chose to walk the circuit, but also climbed the 487 steps along a cliff face to the top, to enjoy panoramic views across the site, and of Saint Lawrence River beyond. Walking through the park, you arrive at the bridge suspended across the falls that allows you closer views of  the thundering waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I think a visit to Montmorency Falls should not be missed if you\u2019re in Qu\u00e9bec City. It is easy to get to, if you haven\u2019t got a car. It involves a 45-minute ride on line 800 bus from Gare- Palais station which is about ten minutes from the Old Town. Taking a tour is a waste of money (in my opinion). Entry is free for residents of Quebec City and costs $5.74 for tourists. As you know I\u2019m a sucker for beautiful landscapes and bodies of water so this was right up my street. I spent a few hours wandering around the site.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Getting up close and personal with the Falls <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I had planned to head out to \u00cele d’Orl\u00e9ans afterwards. The island is located minutes from the city and said to be quite scenic. It has charming villages, stunning trails and landscapes and numerous fruit orchards and vineyards to explore. Unfortunately I developed a migraine on my way back from the falls so I went back to my hotel to sleep it off. In the evening, I ventured outside of the Old Town for dinner and caught my train to Montreal quite early the next morning.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Montmorency
Les Rapides, a trail along Montmorency River<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Other things to do in Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n