Quebec City

This year is the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City by Samuel de Champlain. Champlain landed at Cap Diamante (Diamond Cape), thinking that he had arrived at the source of riches in the new world. Mom arranged for a hotel in the old town right next to the Chateau Frontenaque. We drove out (about 3 1/2 hours) from Montreal, arriving about noon. That afternoon we walked all over the old town. Quebec is still the heart of New France; almost all the signs are only in French even though this is a big tourist destination this year. This view is of the pedestrian-only street in the port area (down below the stone cliffs which provided the military advantage). It is filled with shops and restaurants.

This is Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest church in North America (1608). It is located on Place Royale, the birthplace of French civilization in North America. Inside, there is a replica of Le Breze, the ship on which the Marquis de Tracy arrived with his troops in 1665.

We walked on the Governor's Walkway along the St. Laurence River from the Chateau Frontenac to the Citadel, a fort built by the British after they captured Quebec City.

View of the St. Laurence River from the Governor's Walkway. By the end of the day, we were exhausted. We had visited the Museum of Culture with its rooftop garden, walked around the upper and lower city, etc. We had dinner at Portofino the first night and Le Cochon Dingue the second night. The weather was unbelievable, clear and warm with a light breeze. Quebec City definitely feels like a different country.