Quebec City, Canada

 

Quebec City is the most European of any city in North America; they speak French all the time. There is a part of town called Old Quebec which is really like being in France. The architecture is just gorgeous, food, shopping. I’d say Quebec City is the most beautiful city in North America I’ve seen.”

Sebastian Bach

On a back to back cruise from Bayonne to Quebec City, Canada and back that starting in October 2024, we arrived in Quebec City when it was snowing. That was a surprise since our cruise was for a fall foliage cruise. We arrived in Quebec City in early morning. We needed to disembark from our first cruise at this port and get back on for the second cruise.

Before exiting the ship, we had to go through immigration. After that process, we had to get in a line to turn in our room cards for the last cruise and get a new cruise card for the second cruise. The process was smooth. After we got our new cards, we were then free to get off the ship.

Looking out from the ship, it was hard to see the city through the fog and snow. It looked amazing and very European. We drank our hot drinks and then bundled up and headed out.

Quebec City is located on the Saint Lawrence River and is located in a mostly French speaking province. This is one of the oldest cities in Canada being over 400 years old dating back to 1608. It is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and was founded by the French explorer, Samuel de Champlain. It is the only walled city north of Mexico in North America still remaining and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in1985.

Dominating the city’s landscape is the luxurious Chateau Frontenac which is the most photographed hotel in the world. This hotel opened in 1893 and has 18 floors. This magnificent building was designed by Bruce Price and built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company and is managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

From the lower portion of Quebec City, you can either walk up the steep hill to Chateau Frontenac or ride up the Old Quebec Funicular. This cable railway links the lower portion of Quebec City called Basse-Ville and the upper portion called Haute-Ville. It rises at a 45 degree angle up 200 feet.

When we excited the cruise ship, we were surprised by how cold it really was outside. It was not just cold but bitter cold. It didn’t help that the wind was blowing in our face and then it started sleeting. But we had to get out and see at least some of the city.

Many of the narrow streets were made of cobblestone and the old buildings were built out of stone. This city has an old world European charm about it and looked beautiful even in the dead of winter.

We had gotten off the ship and were walking around before many of the shops were open. This part of the city has many bakeries, restaurants, and art galleries. Unfortunately, it was so cold, we didn’t stay out long. We also heard the ship was making a special lunch for the 280 passengers who were traveling on back to back cruises and wanted to get back on for lunch. We hoped to get back off if it got warmer but it stayed frigid. So we will have to save the upper portion and more walking till a warmer day. It looks like a lovely city to explore.

Till next time. Bye for now.