Yesterday we changed countries, driving up through Upstate New York, stopping briefly at Plattsburgh (not a memorable stop), into Canada and our next destination Quebec. Travelling up to Quebec reminded us more of France than North America; the houses, buildings and landscape were very reminiscent. No wonder they referred to this place as New France.
The weather today was very bright once again as we travelled the short journey from our hotel into the downtown area of old Quebec. Quebec sits on the St Lawrence River one of the mightiest rivers on the continent. After passing Quebec the river widens as it passes out into the North Atlantic – the name Quebec is derived from the Algonquin (one of the Amerindian tribes local to the area) word for narrowing or straight. Old Quebec is two sections, the old port area which as one might expect sits on the river, whilst the rest of the town sits on a cliff some 200 to 300 feet above, making it an excellent place to defend from the river.
We parked up in the port area next to a newly docked cruise liner and rushed to get ready hoping to beat the expected crowds. Our first port of call was the Musee de la Civilisation, which is an excellent place to start your exploration of Quebec. The museum had two temporary exhibits, one on dragons, the truth and myths, and the second an exploration of Peruvian Incan culture through the Tintin books “The Seven Crystal Balls” and “Prisoners of the Sun” (by Hergé) – it was a very clever way of merging a children’s story and a serious exhibit on the Incan civilization. Also in this museum has a very good exhibit on the 11 tribe nations of the Canadian Amerindians – we took the very informative tour which was free with entry to the museum.
After three or four hours going around the museum it was time for some fresh air so we decided to walk around the old town of Quebec. The lower part of the town has lovely cobbled streets and quaint shops – very touristy. One of the stranger sites was a couple of musicians, one dressed as 14th Century Cavalier (on guitar) and the other
as a Native American (on harp) who played merrily to the tune of “Greensleeves”. To get to the upper part of the city you can take the stairs or for those who are fitness challenged there is a funicular railway. This part of town is equally interesting with dozens of shops, restaurants and museums – Le Château Frontenac, a luxury hotel, dominates the city skyline. For those who love history there is plenty to see with the churches, the Citadel and the parliament buildings. We spent several hours just walking around.
The weather today was very bright once again as we travelled the short journey from our hotel into the downtown area of old Quebec. Quebec sits on the St Lawrence River one of the mightiest rivers on the continent. After passing Quebec the river widens as it passes out into the North Atlantic – the name Quebec is derived from the Algonquin (one of the Amerindian tribes local to the area) word for narrowing or straight. Old Quebec is two sections, the old port area which as one might expect sits on the river, whilst the rest of the town sits on a cliff some 200 to 300 feet above, making it an excellent place to defend from the river.
We parked up in the port area next to a newly docked cruise liner and rushed to get ready hoping to beat the expected crowds. Our first port of call was the Musee de la Civilisation, which is an excellent place to start your exploration of Quebec. The museum had two temporary exhibits, one on dragons, the truth and myths, and the second an exploration of Peruvian Incan culture through the Tintin books “The Seven Crystal Balls” and “Prisoners of the Sun” (by Hergé) – it was a very clever way of merging a children’s story and a serious exhibit on the Incan civilization. Also in this museum has a very good exhibit on the 11 tribe nations of the Canadian Amerindians – we took the very informative tour which was free with entry to the museum.After three or four hours going around the museum it was time for some fresh air so we decided to walk around the old town of Quebec. The lower part of the town has lovely cobbled streets and quaint shops – very touristy. One of the stranger sites was a couple of musicians, one dressed as 14th Century Cavalier (on guitar) and the other
as a Native American (on harp) who played merrily to the tune of “Greensleeves”. To get to the upper part of the city you can take the stairs or for those who are fitness challenged there is a funicular railway. This part of town is equally interesting with dozens of shops, restaurants and museums – Le Château Frontenac, a luxury hotel, dominates the city skyline. For those who love history there is plenty to see with the churches, the Citadel and the parliament buildings. We spent several hours just walking around.
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