Historic District of Old Québec
Unesco World Heitage Site
Québec was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century. It is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts, together with the numerous bastions, gates and defensive works which still surround Old Québec. The Upper Town, built on the cliff, has remained the religious and administrative centre, with its churches, convents and other monuments like the Dauphine Redoubt, the Citadel and Château Frontenac. Together with the Lower Town and its ancient districts, it forms an urban ensemble which is one of the best examples of a fortified colonial city. Founded in the 17th century, Québec City bears eloquent testimony to important stages in the European settlement of the Americas: it was the capital of New France and, after 1760, of the new British colony. The Historic District of Old Québec is an urban area of about 135 hectares. It is made up to two parts: the Upper Town, sitting atop Cap Diamant and defended by fortified ramparts, a citadel, and other defensive works, and the Lower Town, which grew up around Place Royale and the harbour. A well-preserved integrated urban ensemble, the historic district is a remarkable example of a fortified colonial town, and unique north of Mexico. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Château Frontenac
Reportedly the most photographed hotel in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. A copper roof only needs replacing every 100 years, and, it seems, the time is now for Québec City’s “castle.” A major, multimillion-dollar renovation project is presently underway. This means that over 36 tonnes (about 80,000 lbs.) of new chocolate-brown metal will dominate the skyline—that is, until it oxidizes into its eventual green patina. The original section of the famous edifice that defines the Québec City skyline was built as a hotel from 1892 to 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Known locally as “the Château,” the hotel today has 618 rooms.
Terrasse Dufferin
With its green-and-white-topped gazebos in warm months, this boardwalk promenade looks much as it did 100 years ago, when ladies with parasols and gentlemen with top hats strolled along it on sunny afternoons. It offers vistas of river, watercraft, and distant mountains, and is particularly romantic at sunset.
Promenade des Gouverneurs
This path was renovated in 2007 and skirts the sheer cliff wall, climbing up and up past Québec’s military Citadelle, a fort built by the British army between 1820 and 1850 that remains an active military garrison. The promenade/staircase ends at the grassy Parc des Champs-de-Bataille,about 15 minutes away. If you go to the end, return back to Terrasse Dufferin to continue the stroll.
Parc des Gouverneurs
Just southwest of the Château Frontenac, this park stands on the site of the mansion built to house the French governors of Québec. The mansion burned in 1834, and the ruins lie buried under the great bulk of the Château. B&Bs and small hotels now border the park on two sides. The obelisk monument is dedicated to both generals in the momentous battle of September 13, 1759, when Britain’s General James Wolfe and France’s Louis-Joseph, marquis de Montcalm, fought for what would be the ultimate destiny of Québec (and, quite possibly, all of North America). The French were defeated, and both generals died. Wolfe, wounded in the fighting, lived only long enough to hear of England’s victory. Montcalm died a few hours after Wolfe. Told that he was mortally wounded, Montcalm replied, “All the better. I will not see the English in Québec.”
Maison Kent
Built in 1648, this might be Québec’s oldest building. It’s most famous for being the building in which France signed the capitulation to the British forces. Its name comes from the duke of Kent, Queen Victoria’s father. He lived here for a few years at the end of the 18th century, just before he married Victoria’s mother in an arranged liaison. His true love, it is said, was with him in Maison Kent. Today, the building houses France’s consulate general.
Maison Jacquet
This small, white dwelling with crimson roof and trim dates from 1677 and now houses a popular restaurant called Aux Anciens Canadiens. Among the oldest houses in the province, it has sheltered some prominent Québécois, including Philippe Aubert de Gaspé, the author of Aux Anciens Canadiens, which recounts Québec’s history and folklore. He lived here from 1815 to 1824.
Place d’Armes
This plaza was once the military parade ground outside the governors’ mansion (which no longer exists). In the small park at the center is the fountain Monument to the Faith, which recalls the arrival of the Recollet monks from France in 1615. France’s king granted them a large plot of land in 1681 on which to build their church and monastery. Facing the square is the monument to Samuel de Champlain, who founded Québec in 1608. Created by French artist Paul Chevré and architect Paul Le Cardonnel, the statue has stood here since 1898. Its pedestal is made from stone that was also used in the Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris. Near the Champlain statue is the diamond-shaped UNESCO monument designating Québec City as a World Heritage Site, a rare distinction. Installed in 1986, the monument is made of bronze, granite, and glass.
Rue du Trésor
Artists (or their representatives) hang their prints and paintings of Québec scenes on both sides of the walkway. In decent weather, it’s busy with browsers and sellers. Most prices are within the means of the average visitor, but don’t be shy about bargaining for a better deal.
Basilique Notre-Dame
The basilica’s golden interior is ornate and its air rich with the scent of burning candles. Many artworks remain from the time of the French regime. The chancel lamp was a gift from Louis XIV, and the crypt is the final resting place for most of Québec’s bishops. The basilica dates back to 1647 and has suffered a tumultuous history of bombardment and reconstruction.
Hôtel-de-Ville (City Hall)
The park next to City Hall is often converted into an outdoor event space in summer, especially during the Festival d'Été (Summer Festival)when it is used forconcerts and other staged programs.
La Citadelle
The impressive star-shaped fortress just beyond view keeps watch from a commanding position on a grassy plateau 108m (354 ft.) above the banks of the St. Lawrence. It took 30 years to complete, by which time it had become obsolete. Since 1920, the Citadelle has been the home of the French-speaking Royal 22e Régiment, which fought in both world wars and in Korea. A museum dedicated to the regiment’s 100-year history was significantly expanded in 2014. With good timing and weather, it’s possible to watch a Changing of the Guard ceremony, or (as it’s called) “beating the retreat.”
Hôtel du Parlement
Constructed in 1884, this government building houses what Québécois call their “National Assembly” (note the use of the word “national” and not “provincial”). The massive fountain in front of the building, La Fontaine de Tourny, was commissioned by the mayor of Bordeaux, France, in 1857. Sculptor Mathurin Moreau created the dreamlike figures on the fountain’s base.
Source: www.frommers.com
Unesco World Heitage Site
Québec was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century. It is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts, together with the numerous bastions, gates and defensive works which still surround Old Québec. The Upper Town, built on the cliff, has remained the religious and administrative centre, with its churches, convents and other monuments like the Dauphine Redoubt, the Citadel and Château Frontenac. Together with the Lower Town and its ancient districts, it forms an urban ensemble which is one of the best examples of a fortified colonial city. Founded in the 17th century, Québec City bears eloquent testimony to important stages in the European settlement of the Americas: it was the capital of New France and, after 1760, of the new British colony. The Historic District of Old Québec is an urban area of about 135 hectares. It is made up to two parts: the Upper Town, sitting atop Cap Diamant and defended by fortified ramparts, a citadel, and other defensive works, and the Lower Town, which grew up around Place Royale and the harbour. A well-preserved integrated urban ensemble, the historic district is a remarkable example of a fortified colonial town, and unique north of Mexico. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Château Frontenac
Reportedly the most photographed hotel in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. A copper roof only needs replacing every 100 years, and, it seems, the time is now for Québec City’s “castle.” A major, multimillion-dollar renovation project is presently underway. This means that over 36 tonnes (about 80,000 lbs.) of new chocolate-brown metal will dominate the skyline—that is, until it oxidizes into its eventual green patina. The original section of the famous edifice that defines the Québec City skyline was built as a hotel from 1892 to 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Known locally as “the Château,” the hotel today has 618 rooms.
Terrasse Dufferin
With its green-and-white-topped gazebos in warm months, this boardwalk promenade looks much as it did 100 years ago, when ladies with parasols and gentlemen with top hats strolled along it on sunny afternoons. It offers vistas of river, watercraft, and distant mountains, and is particularly romantic at sunset.
Promenade des Gouverneurs
This path was renovated in 2007 and skirts the sheer cliff wall, climbing up and up past Québec’s military Citadelle, a fort built by the British army between 1820 and 1850 that remains an active military garrison. The promenade/staircase ends at the grassy Parc des Champs-de-Bataille,about 15 minutes away. If you go to the end, return back to Terrasse Dufferin to continue the stroll.
Parc des Gouverneurs
Just southwest of the Château Frontenac, this park stands on the site of the mansion built to house the French governors of Québec. The mansion burned in 1834, and the ruins lie buried under the great bulk of the Château. B&Bs and small hotels now border the park on two sides. The obelisk monument is dedicated to both generals in the momentous battle of September 13, 1759, when Britain’s General James Wolfe and France’s Louis-Joseph, marquis de Montcalm, fought for what would be the ultimate destiny of Québec (and, quite possibly, all of North America). The French were defeated, and both generals died. Wolfe, wounded in the fighting, lived only long enough to hear of England’s victory. Montcalm died a few hours after Wolfe. Told that he was mortally wounded, Montcalm replied, “All the better. I will not see the English in Québec.”
Maison Kent
Built in 1648, this might be Québec’s oldest building. It’s most famous for being the building in which France signed the capitulation to the British forces. Its name comes from the duke of Kent, Queen Victoria’s father. He lived here for a few years at the end of the 18th century, just before he married Victoria’s mother in an arranged liaison. His true love, it is said, was with him in Maison Kent. Today, the building houses France’s consulate general.
Maison Jacquet
This small, white dwelling with crimson roof and trim dates from 1677 and now houses a popular restaurant called Aux Anciens Canadiens. Among the oldest houses in the province, it has sheltered some prominent Québécois, including Philippe Aubert de Gaspé, the author of Aux Anciens Canadiens, which recounts Québec’s history and folklore. He lived here from 1815 to 1824.
Place d’Armes
This plaza was once the military parade ground outside the governors’ mansion (which no longer exists). In the small park at the center is the fountain Monument to the Faith, which recalls the arrival of the Recollet monks from France in 1615. France’s king granted them a large plot of land in 1681 on which to build their church and monastery. Facing the square is the monument to Samuel de Champlain, who founded Québec in 1608. Created by French artist Paul Chevré and architect Paul Le Cardonnel, the statue has stood here since 1898. Its pedestal is made from stone that was also used in the Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris. Near the Champlain statue is the diamond-shaped UNESCO monument designating Québec City as a World Heritage Site, a rare distinction. Installed in 1986, the monument is made of bronze, granite, and glass.
Rue du Trésor
Artists (or their representatives) hang their prints and paintings of Québec scenes on both sides of the walkway. In decent weather, it’s busy with browsers and sellers. Most prices are within the means of the average visitor, but don’t be shy about bargaining for a better deal.
Basilique Notre-Dame
The basilica’s golden interior is ornate and its air rich with the scent of burning candles. Many artworks remain from the time of the French regime. The chancel lamp was a gift from Louis XIV, and the crypt is the final resting place for most of Québec’s bishops. The basilica dates back to 1647 and has suffered a tumultuous history of bombardment and reconstruction.
Hôtel-de-Ville (City Hall)
The park next to City Hall is often converted into an outdoor event space in summer, especially during the Festival d'Été (Summer Festival)when it is used forconcerts and other staged programs.
La Citadelle
The impressive star-shaped fortress just beyond view keeps watch from a commanding position on a grassy plateau 108m (354 ft.) above the banks of the St. Lawrence. It took 30 years to complete, by which time it had become obsolete. Since 1920, the Citadelle has been the home of the French-speaking Royal 22e Régiment, which fought in both world wars and in Korea. A museum dedicated to the regiment’s 100-year history was significantly expanded in 2014. With good timing and weather, it’s possible to watch a Changing of the Guard ceremony, or (as it’s called) “beating the retreat.”
Hôtel du Parlement
Constructed in 1884, this government building houses what Québécois call their “National Assembly” (note the use of the word “national” and not “provincial”). The massive fountain in front of the building, La Fontaine de Tourny, was commissioned by the mayor of Bordeaux, France, in 1857. Sculptor Mathurin Moreau created the dreamlike figures on the fountain’s base.
Source: www.frommers.com