Indeed, my procrastination for blog entries regarding the trip to Canada is reaching epic proportions! But seeing as though this is a very significant date not only for the city of Québec, but for Canadian history as a whole and, really, even world history, as the events that transpired on this date in 1759, when the English defeated the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, triggered quite a series of events that would shake the world up! It gave the British control over most of eastern North America, and even a serious advantage towards western expansion. But the French would want revenge, and would help the American colonies not too much later to achieve independence. During the early days of the war for independence, Americans tried to invade Canada, and made it all the way to the city of Québec, taking it for granted that the citizens there would resent the English enough to join the America cause. But The Quebec Act had assured the French there that they could retain their language, their religion, and their culture, so long as they remained loyal to England, and so it was that the citizens there sided with the English. Still Americans would achieve indepencende, even if they failed in their attempts at Québec, and instrumental in this was the help from the French. Yet, French involvement there would bankrupt France, and that itself ultimately lead to the French Revolution! So, perhaps events in Québec in the eighteenth century helped precipitate many enormous, groundbreaking changes that, in turn, helped to create our modern world today! Or, indeed, maybe I am getting ahead of myself a little bit. But still, this seemed like an appropriate day to honor the city of Québec by reflecting not only on my recent visit there, but the many trips to the city and region that I have taken over the years. There is a reason why I keep going back, and maybe, after you read this and look at the pictures, you might understand why a little better yourself! Enjoy!
Here is the capital of French-speaking North America!
Québec is probably the most unique city in North America as a result.
Québec is a city with a strong appeal, attracting both nature lovers and those who seek architectural beauty, history, and romance in the Old World style. The name derives from the Algonquin word, meaning where the waters narrow. That is appropriate, too, since this is where the Gulf of the St. Lawrence does narrow into a river. The name is very North American, yet it blends in perfectly in the French language, which is fitting, because Québec itself is the perfect blend of North America and Europe. It has the beautiful natural surroundings and open spaces nearby, with the majestic St. Lawrence flowing past the lower city, while the upper city sits on a bluff overlooking it all. The Château Frontenac, the most famous landmark in the city, is particularly well positioned to overlook it all, perched stop the cliff overlooking he lower town and the St. Lawrence (Saint Laurent in French). There are rugged, wooded mountains and very high and powerful waterfalls surrounding the area. But there is also lush farmland nearby on the Île d'Orléans, with old farms dating back to French colonial times.
The city of Québec is a modern, North American city, yet it also enjoys the privileged status of being the only walled city in North America (at least north of the Mexican border). Here, you will find sidewalk cafes, famous restaurants, and beautiful water fountains ranging in size throughout the Old Town (Vieux Québec). There are old churches and homes dating back four centuries, lining narrow, cobbled roads. And there are big landmarks, as well, such as the Château Frontenac, which I already mentioned, and L'Assemblée nationale du Québec and the spectacularly beautiful Fountain de Tourny (Tourny Fountain) that now resides in front of it, a fairly recent addition by Simons (a chain of stores that you find up in Canada) to mark the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the city of Québec back in 2008. The fountain always reminds me of the fountains of the Place de la Concorde, in Paris. It really is a beautiful addition to the city, and became an instant tourist destination as a result!
Next to this, you have the famous Plains of Abraham (also known as the Battlefields Park), which is almost like Québec's version of Central Park. You will find plenty of lush lawns here, but you will also find beautiful floral arrangements, and views of the St Laurent, which you can see from up high stop the cliffs. During the summer, many concerts and other events happen here. This is one of the main places to visit for any trip to the city of Québec. Next to the Plains of Abraham, which are quite large, there is the Parc Jeanne d'Arc. a beautiful garden park with an equestrian statue of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) at the center. Not too far away from there, you can find the lovely gardens at the Bois-de-Coulonge.
Between the architectural gems lining the streets within the walls of the city, and the quaint cafes and restaurants that offer some respite from visiting the man places of interest, from the narrow streets of the Vieux-Québec (the Old Town) to the green, lush lawns of the Plains of Abraham, and the views of the wide open spaces of the nearby countryside, and from the majestic beauty of the Fountain de Tourny to the more rugged homes dating back centuries ago, the city of Québec has a lot to offer, and the city is one of the most unique tourist destination on the North American continent!
Not far from the city, you will find some great hiking and other outdoor activities at the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier (Jacques-Cartier National Park in English). Or, you can take it a bit slower with a leisurely drive around the old, historic farms of Île d'Orléans (Orleans Island), which can also be done on bicycle, if you are feeling up to it. It offers great views of the Saint Laurent and the surrounding mountains. And, of course, there are some impressive waterfalls nearby, including at the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, where the waterfalls there are even taller than those at Niagara! On the other side of the river, you can visit Les Chutes-de-la-Chaudière-Ouest, which are not as impressive, but which are beautiful nonetheless!
And you may even find some things that are less well know pretty cool, too! My favorite restaurant in Québec is actually a Lebanese restaurant right by one of the gates of the walls. I have enjoyed not only getting delicious meals there, but then taking them up to the top of the walls, which offer great views of the city for free! I also always enjoyed the Casse Crêpe Breton on the rue St Jean. Nearby, there is an Irish Cross, a gift from Ireland to the people of Québec. It is done in traditional Celtic style, and it is just one of those cool things that the city has. The train station is not to be missed, either. And try and find the cannon ball lodged in the tree in the Upper Town (see pictures below). There are various stories as to how it got there, but it is definitely a unique and surprising thing to see! None of the things that I just mentioned in this paragraph are considered real tourist destinations, and yet, there are a lot of cool things like that which you run into quite a bit during a visit to Québec!
Simply put, Québec has a touch of the best of what North America has to offer, but with a definite, distinctive European flair as well!
This is a famous painting by Benjamin West depicting the death of English General Wolfe during the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in Québec in 1759, which effectively marked the de facto end of the French colonial presence in North America. Montréal would fall the next year.
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A similar, but much less famous painting, this one of French General Montcalm, who also was mortally injured during the battle.
A similar, but much less famous painting, this one of French General Montcalm, who also was mortally injured during the battle.
The roof of the Château Frontenac peeks out over the Plains of Abraham.
I really like the picture entitled "The roof of the Château Frontenac peeks out over the Plains of Abraham". I'd never seen the Château Frontenac captured quite that way. If I didn't know any better, I would be tempted to assume it was located in a remote, rural setting, as opposed to the heart of a metropolitan area with well over half a million people.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yeah, I really liked that shot myself, too. With the greenery of the Plains of Abraham, mixed with the proximity of Vieux Québec, and particularly the Château Frontenac, it just seemed like a very nice picture and, indeed, kind of has that story book feel of a spectacular castle in the middle of the countryside, even though it is all in a relatively large city.
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