|
|
Québec City, Québec |
|
|
North America's oldest French-speaking city has a
commanding position on the cliffs above the St. Lawrence
River. Québec City is remarkable for its well-preserved
historical districts and dramatic buildings such as the
towering Château Frontenac and the Citadelle.
|
|
|
A view of the Château Frontenac can be seen from the famous
Plains of Abraham where the decisive 1759 battle between French
and English took place.
|
Dating to 1608, Quebec City has a fortified colonial core,
with the dominant Citadelle military installation atop Cap
Diamante.
|
|
The picturesque cobblestone streets lined with
stone buildings in
Vieux-Quebec and Place Royale historical districts are UNESCO
World Heritage sites.
|
We happened to be there during la Nouvelle-France
Festival, when the historical period that gave rise to Quebec is
celebrated with pomp and humour. |
|
Rue Saint-Louis is one of the oldest streets in Quebec City
dating to the 17th Century, where notable buildings include the
Ursuline convent and Maison Jacquet, the oldest building in the
city.
|
Along the streets of the Petit-Champlain area,
artists in period costume enhance the enchanting atmosphere. |
|
The Museum of Civilization has a participatory
approach in exhibits about Québec
history and culture.
|
The Museum of Fine Arts (Musée
national des beaux-arts du Québec) has four buildings of various
galleries.
(photo courtesy of MNBAQ) |
|
Rue de Tressor is a narrow alley where local artists and
artisans display and sell their works.
(pierre-olivier fortin, Wikimedia Commons)
|
A short and scenic ferry ride across the river lies Lévis,
a city originally settled in 1647, home to historical homes and
schools, and host to sporting activities and a jazz festival.
|
|
Taking Flight,
by Jules LaSalle in City Hall Gardens |
La Petite Liseuse,
by Lewis Pagé at Bibliotèque Saint-Jean-Baptiste |
The Odyssey,
by Cooke-Sasseville, on Champlain Street
|
Quebec City is rich with public art, sculptures, installations
and murals.
|
|
At Parc de la Chute Montmorency, a suspension bridge hangs over
the crest of the falls.
|
The mighty St. Lawrence River and estuary is a major
seaway connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
|
|
The Route de Navigateurs roadway runs along the
edge of the St. Lawrence for 470 kilometers and highlights the
history of navigation and settlement along the river.
(photo courtesy of Bonjour Quebec) |
Île d'Orléans, in the St. Lawrence River about 5
kilometers from downtown Québec, was one of the first areas to
be settled, and is known for its contributions to Québécois
cuisine.
|
