ABOUT THE CITY OF QUEBEC CITY:One of the oldest cities in North America, Quebec City is the capital of the province of the same name and in Vieux-Quebec has the only surviving walled city in the Americas north of Mexico. The historic district of Quebec was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 for its cultural and historical significance. Its twin areas – Basse-Ville and Haute-Ville – surround the Chateau Frontnac. In Haute-Ville, you will find narrow lanes running between grey, high walled houses reminiscent of a medieval French city, while lower down Cap Diamant Basse-Ville – the site of the original settlement – is home to a lively café culture and boutique shops.
The Chateau Frontenac is one of the city’s dominant landmarks: this large hotel on the Cap Diamant is a model Loire chateau. The Basilica of Notre-Dame is also a very French in feel. Another building left from colonial times is the Haute-Ville’s Citadelle, a star shaped complex of military fortifications. In Basse-Ville you will find the church of Notre-Dame des Victoires. One of the areas best-known attractions is the Musee de la Civilisation.
There is a wide range of museums that cover the history and culture of the region, among the Musee de Quebec in the Parc des Champs-de Bataille, which has a fantastic art collection. The park is the site of the battle that ended the rule of the French in North America and holds free concerts in summer.
At the other end of the year the Quebecois cheer themselves up with the biggest winter carnival in the world, which features a talking snowman called Bonhomme, who inhabits the Snow Palace and presides over horse drawn sleigh rides, the International Canoe Race across the part-frozen St Lawrence River, dogsled races, parades and the International Snow Sculpture Event. What better way could there be to chase the winter blues away?
DON'T MISS IN QUEBEC CITY:- The Quebec Winter City Carnival
– the biggest winter carnival in the world. It starts on the last Friday in January and lasts for 17 days. Activities include ice sculpting and dog sled racing and you can even have a snow bath!
- The Musee de la Civilisation
– covers the history of Quebec, promoting its Canadian identity whilst embracing the shared past of this multi-cultural city.
- Montmorency Falls
– at 83m [272 ft] these are the highest falls in the province.
YOU SHOULD KNOW:Quebec comes from the Algonquin word meaning ‘where the river narrows’.
Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our destination guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
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