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| EXPLORING OLD QUEBEC CITY AND THE NEARBY COUNTRYSIDE ~ By Habeeb Salloum |
| WAVE Journey.com Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
After entering through St. John’s Gate, one of the four gates in the renovated 4.6 km (2.9 mi)
walls that encircle the old part of Quebec City, visitors usually climb atop the ramparts to gaze
on the maze of medieval-like narrow streets and the sloping roofs of buildings inside the walls
of the old city. We drove on these narrow streets then walked along the alleyways, enjoying
the French architecture from the bygone years.
walls that encircle the old part of Quebec City, visitors usually climb atop the ramparts to gaze
on the maze of medieval-like narrow streets and the sloping roofs of buildings inside the walls
of the old city. We drove on these narrow streets then walked along the alleyways, enjoying
the French architecture from the bygone years.
In this walled compact area, a living history
book of the town, are the most interesting
sights in the city. The narrow cobblestone
streets and quaint town squares - relics from
the past, the venerable churches, and
turreted buildings give the area a distinct
medieval European look.
book of the town, are the most interesting
sights in the city. The narrow cobblestone
streets and quaint town squares - relics from
the past, the venerable churches, and
turreted buildings give the area a distinct
medieval European look.
There was plenty to see and do along these
worn streets such as historic churches,
hotels, forts and museums and, in between,
boutiques, shops, galleries and cafes or
bistros. The concentration of historic
worn streets such as historic churches,
hotels, forts and museums and, in between,
boutiques, shops, galleries and cafes or
bistros. The concentration of historic
buildings in old Québec, some dating to the 1600s, is the reason that UNESCO designated Old
Quebec, in 1985, as a World Heritage Site.
Quebec, in 1985, as a World Heritage Site.
Québec City’s charm comes from a combination of its architectural, cultural and historical
elements. The mixture of French, English and modern styles of buildings gives the city a very
catchy appeal. This, along with its setting, makes it one of the most picturesque towns in
Canada. At the heart of Québec City’s charisma is this old walled town, the only walled city
north of Mexico, drawing the majority of visitors to the city.
elements. The mixture of French, English and modern styles of buildings gives the city a very
catchy appeal. This, along with its setting, makes it one of the most picturesque towns in
Canada. At the heart of Québec City’s charisma is this old walled town, the only walled city
north of Mexico, drawing the majority of visitors to the city.
From the walled city we drove down to a
small part of the old city known as Basse-Ville
or Lower Town, situated next to the river, it is
small part of the old city known as Basse-Ville
or Lower Town, situated next to the river, it is
These two old areas contain the majority of the city’s interesting sights, but, beyond the walls
of Vieux Québec, the modern sections that encompass parks, office buildings, shopping malls
and modern homes, also, have their appeal.
of Vieux Québec, the modern sections that encompass parks, office buildings, shopping malls
and modern homes, also, have their appeal.
In these newer areas and in the old city are
found 27 museums. The most important of
these being the: Museum of Civilization in
Basse-Ville which focuses on Québec’s
provincial history, but has exhibits relating to
other cultures from around the world;
Museum of French America, noted for its
stunning chapel; and Museum of Québec; an
architectural master piece, it is one of
Québec’s most important museums,
containing an extensive collection of
Québécois art and historical documents.
found 27 museums. The most important of
these being the: Museum of Civilization in
Basse-Ville which focuses on Québec’s
provincial history, but has exhibits relating to
other cultures from around the world;
Museum of French America, noted for its
stunning chapel; and Museum of Québec; an
architectural master piece, it is one of
Québec’s most important museums,
containing an extensive collection of
Québécois art and historical documents.
After we had explored Vieux Québec, we set out to discover the remainder of the city.
Immediately, beyond the walls of the old city is the Grande Allee, dominated by Victorian
mansions of the late 1800s and considered by locals to be a smaller version of Paris’s Champs
Elysees. Here, where the beautiful people congregate nightly, there is a large concentration
of cafes, bistros, restaurants and some of Quebec City’s best pubs and nightspots. The most
important public building along the Grande Allee is the impressive National Assembly, which is
more than a hundred years old.
Immediately, beyond the walls of the old city is the Grande Allee, dominated by Victorian
mansions of the late 1800s and considered by locals to be a smaller version of Paris’s Champs
Elysees. Here, where the beautiful people congregate nightly, there is a large concentration
of cafes, bistros, restaurants and some of Quebec City’s best pubs and nightspots. The most
important public building along the Grande Allee is the impressive National Assembly, which is
more than a hundred years old.
Leaving Quebec City behind, we drove for
about 15 minutes to cross over a bridge to
the Ile d’Orléeans, Quebéc City’s natural
playground. Soon we were enjoying a
relaxing drive on the coastal road of the
island, passing fertile fields of currents,
strawberries and grape; and rich-looking
orchards of apples dotted with the neat
looking homes of the 6 villages housing the
island’s 7,000 people and enriching the
panorama of the countryside.
about 15 minutes to cross over a bridge to
the Ile d’Orléeans, Quebéc City’s natural
playground. Soon we were enjoying a
relaxing drive on the coastal road of the
island, passing fertile fields of currents,
strawberries and grape; and rich-looking
orchards of apples dotted with the neat
looking homes of the 6 villages housing the
island’s 7,000 people and enriching the
panorama of the countryside.
