Capital of the province, Quebec was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain and consecrated in 1985 a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is beautiful to perfection with its cobbled streets, its architecture high walls and its mansard roofs. Perched on the Cap Diamant, Quebec lives in close contact with the Saint Laurent River and forms a cultural center whose vitality goes on over the years.
PLACES TO VISIT
La Place Royale
The French civilization in North America took birth at Place Royale. In 1608, at the foot of Cap Diamant, Samuel de Champlain started the construction of his fortified house. This is the first permanent settlement in New France. Wealthy merchants settled there and the place is surrounded by businesses. In 1686, a bust of Louis XIV is erected and the market place becomes Place Royale.
La Citadelle
Located on top of Cap Diamant, it is the eastern flank of the fortifications that made the city the Gibraltar of America. Its construction began in 1820 and spans for thirty years.
Hôtel du Parlement
1045 rue des Parlementaires
Built between 1877 and 1886 according to the plans of architect Eugène-Étienne Taché, it houses the National Assembly where 125 MPs from Quebec sit. Guided tours (about 30 minutes) are available in French, English, Spanish, and Italian.
Plaines d’Abraham
It was the scene of battles between the French and English armies led by Montcalm and Wolfe (1759) then Levis and Murray (1760). With commemorative plaques, its interpretation panels, its artillery and scattered over 103 hectares monuments rooms, the park is a huge oasis where you can picnic for a concert at the Edwin-Bélanger kiosque.
Le Petit Champlain
The street of Petit Champlain is one of the oldest in North America’s arteries. In 1608, the area was a small harbor village with a trading post and elegant homes. Today, its narrow streets are lined up with shops and bistros. At the corner of Petit- Champlain and Sous-le-Fort, you are at the bottom of the “Breakneck” staircase. The funicular that connects the Basse-Ville to Dufferin Terrace is located in the Maison Louis Jolliet, who discovered the Mississippi River.
Musée de la civilisation
85 rue Dalhousie
This popular museum devotes a dynamic presentation on the history of Quebec.
AROUND THE CITY
The Montmorency Falls Park (7 km – 138 E) is an impressive cascade of 83 meters surrounded by footpaths, stairs and gazebos. The mansion at its top was the refuge of the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria.
Native American reserve in Wendake (15 km – A175N) enables to discover traditional and contemporary Huron culture.
Ile d’Orléans (15 km – A440E) is a piece of land anchored in the Saint Laurent River, which jealously guards its properties and lends itself to various vegetable crops.
