Copyright Š 2011 Kristen Brenner All rights reserved under International and American Copyright Conventions Published in the United States by Snow Magic, Inc., New York and simultaneously in Canada by Snow Magic Canada Limited, QuÊbec. issn: 0-324-41462-3 Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 78-53862 Manufactured in the United States of America by The Book Press First Edition
Table of Contents Introduction History Monuments and Sites Shopping Entertainment Nature & Wildlife Transportation Afterward Photo Credits
1-4 5 - 10 11 - 14 15 - 18 19 - 24 25 - 30 31 - 36 36 - 39 40-41
Introduction Québec City is nestled in the heart of the province of Québec. It is one of the oldest European settlements and one of the provinces most festive cities. I first visited Québec during my 8th grade Canada field trip. After sitting on a bus for what felt like a decade (but was realistically only about 24 hours) we arrived at the historic city. I was immediately in love with Québec’s cobblestone streets, friendly French personality and rich heritage. There seemed to be cute boutiques, classy hotels, kind street vendors and unique surprises around just about every corner. The first thing I remember noticing in Québec was not even part of the city. It was on the bus, from my fogged up window that I gazed upon the beautiful scenery on the outskirts of the town. There were brilliantly colored leaves and even an occasional waterfall. I was impressed to see untouched nature so close to the city.
Step back in time at Place Royale in the Old Petit Champlain district.
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The city itself is perhaps even more magnifient, however. The cobble stone streets are a special treat that cater to my love of the old fashioned and unique. Old Québec has a charm that is unmatched by any other city I have visited. Much of the city can be traversed on foot. There is a cliff-side funicular that can take you between lower and upper Québec or if you prefer driving, the traffic usually isn't that bad. Once outside of Old Québec you can check out newly revitalized neighborhoods and trendy city parts that are promising trendy works in progress. Orienting yourself in Quebec is fairly easy. Many sights of interest are in the Old Town (VieuxQuébec), which constitutes the walled city on top of the hill. Many surrounding neighbourhoods, either in Haute-Ville ("Upper Town") or in BasseVille ("Lower Town"), are of great interest : SaintRoch, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Montcalm, Vieux-Port and Limoilou. Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville are connected by many staircases, all of which are unique, such as the aptly-named Escalier CasseCou ("Breakneck Stairs") and the more easily climbable "Funiculaire".
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The city spreads westward from the St. Lawrence River, for the most part extending from the original old city. The true downtown core of Quebec City is located just west of the old city. Across the river from Quebec City is the town of Lévis. Frequent ferry service connects the two sides of the river. The whole city is essentially completely French in language and in spirit. French culture reigns thorughout Québec, seeping into the cities' entire disposition. It is for this reason alone, perhaps, that I have fallen in love with Québec. It is far too pleasant to take a stroll down the streets and absorb the welcoming atmosphere and lyrical language. Don't be alarmed though, a lot of Québec speaks English perfectly well as a second language so if you don't speak French, you should get by just fine.
I am writing this book for anyone who has an interest in the uniquely French atmosphere that Québec has to offer. I want to immerse you in a world of a bright colors, history, fantastic art, entertainment, delicious foods, and many other things Québec. While this is not a exhaustive documentation of what the city has to offer, it is my view on the many great things that are available to explore in Québec City.
The beautiful red fall leaves mask the ground at Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier
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History Québec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. While many of the major cities in Mexico date from the sixteenth century, among cities in Canada and the U.S.A. only St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador; Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador; Port Royal, Nova Scotia; St. Augustine, Florida; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Jamestown, Virginia; and Tadoussac, Québec were created earlier than Québec City. However, Québec City is the first to have been founded with the goal of permanent settlement, and not as a commercial outpost, and therefore is considered to be the first Europeanbuilt city in non-Spanish North America. Québec Settlement, 1608 French explorer Jacques Cartier built a fort at the site in 1535, where he stayed for the winter before going back to France in spring 1536. He came back in 1541 with the goal of building
Parliament Building - designed by Eugène-Étienne Taché and built from 1877 to 1886.
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a permanent settlement. This first settlement was abandoned less than one year after its foundation, in the summer 1542, due in large part to the hostility of the natives combined with the harsh conditions during winter. Québec was founded by Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer and diplomat on July 3, 1608, and at the site of a long abandoned St. Lawrence Iroquoian settlement called Stadacona. Champlain, also called "The Father of New France", served as its administrator for the rest of his life. The name "Canada" refers to this settlement. Although called the cradle of the Francophone population in North America, the Acadian settlement at Port-Royal antedates it. The place seemed extremely favourable to the establishment of a permanent colony. In 1665, there were 550 people in 70 houses living in the city. One-quarter of the people were members of religious orders: secular priests, Jesuits, Ursulines nuns and the order running the local hospital, Hotel-Dieu.
Cobblestone Roads are a trademark of Québec and can be quite old!
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Québec City was captured by the British in 1759 and held until 1763. It was the site of three battles during Seven Years War - the Battle of Beauport, a French victory (July 31, 1759); the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, in which British troops under General James Wolfe defeated the French General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm on September 13, 1759 and shortly thereafter took the city; and the final Battle of Sainte-Foy, a French victory (April 28, 1760). France ceded New France to Britain in 1763. At the end of French rule in 1763, the territory of present-day Québec
City was a world of contrasts. Forests, villages, fields and pastures surrounded the town of 8,000 inhabitants. The town distinguished itself by its monumental architecture, fortifications, muddy and filthy streets, affluent homes of masonry and shacks in the suburbs St-Jean and St-Roch. Despite its urbanity and its status as capital, Québec City remained a small colonial city with close ties to its rural surroundings. Nearby inhabitants traded their farm surpluses and firewood for imported goods from France at the two city markets. British Rule During the American Revolution, revolutionary troops from the southern colonies assaulted the British garrison in an attempt to 'liberate' Québec City, in a conflict now known as the Battle of Québec. The defeat of the revolutionaries from the south put an end to the hopes that the peoples of Québec would rise and join the American Revolution so that Canada would join the Continental Congress and become part of the original United States of America along with the other British colonies of continental North America. In effect, the outcome of the battle would be the effective split of British North America into two distinct political entities.
Cathédral Notre-Dame was built in 1647 and has been rebuilt twice since.
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The city itself was not attacked during the war of 1812, when the United States again attempted to annex Canadian lands. Fearing another American attack on Québec City in the future, construction of the Citadelle of Québec began in 1820. The Americans never did attack Canada after the War of 1812, but the Citadelle continued to house a large British garrison until 1871. The Citadelle is still in use by the military and is also a very popular tourist attraction. In 1840, after the Province of Canada was formed, the role of capital was shared between Kingston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Québec City (from 1852 to 1856 and from 1859 to 1866). In 1867, Ottawa (which was chosen to be the permanent capital of the Province of Canada) was chosen to be the capital of the Dominion of Canada. TheQuébec Conference on Canadian Confederation was held here.
View of Chateau Frontenac from Saint John Gate near Artillery Park and an aerial view of La Citadelle on the right
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Capital Québec has served as a capital for over 400 years. From 1608 to 1627 and 1632 to 1763, it was capital of French Canada and all of New France; from 1763 to 1791, it was the capital of the Province of Québec and from 1791 to 1841, it was the capital of Lower Canada. From 1852 to 1856 and from 1859 to 1866, it was capital of the Province of Canada; and since 1867, it has been capital of the Province of Québec. The administrative region in which Québec City is situated is officially referred to as Capitale-Nationale and the term "national capital" is used to refer to Québec City itself.
View of The Citadelle from above. It began construction in 1820 to protect Canada from potential attacks from America.
Monuments and Sites Perched atop Cap Diamant, surveying the St. Lawrence River, Québec City is one of the landmarks of North American history. Included on UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List, Québec City has retained its European atmosphere completely. The winding cobbled streets are flanked by 17th and 18th-century stone houses and churches, graceful parks and squares, and countless monuments. Chateau Frontenac is one of Québec City's most famous sites. Château Frontenac The Château Frontenac, designed by American architect Bruce Price, is one of a series of "château" style hotels built for the Canadian Pacific Railway company during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. CPR's policy was to promote luxury tourism by appealing to wealthy travelers. Château Frontenac opened in 1893, five years after the Banff Springs Hotel which was owned by the same company and similar in style.
Samuel de Champlain - seen with Château Frontenac. The statue was made in his likeness, since no one knew what he looked like.
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Although several of Québec City's buildings are taller, the landmark hotel is perched atop a tall cape overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, affording a spectacular view for several kilometers. The building is the most prominent feature of the Québec City skyline as seen from across the St. Lawrence. The hotel is currently being managed and operated by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts of Toronto, which is a company that manages numerous prestigious hotels around the world. The hotel was sold by Fairmont on October 31, 2000 to the Legacy Hotels REIT for Canadian $185 million. However, Fairmont has a long-term management agreement with Legacy Hotels. Chateau Frontenac also holds the Guinness World Record's title of "most photographed hotel in the world" Place d'Armes Until the construction of The Citadelle, the Place d'Armes was a military parade ground. It became a public square in 1832. in 1916 the Monument de la Foi fountain was erected in the middle of Place d'Armes. It was inaugurated to mark the tercentenary of the arrival in Québec in 1615 Récollets. The Recollets were the first religious community of New France. They were present from 1615 to 1629 and from 1670 to 1849. The Christian faith is represented by a statue of a young girl whose purpose is to Adolphe Garneau.
Plains of Abraham The Plains of Abraham are an historic area within The Battlefields Park in QuĂŠbec City, that was originally grazing land, but became famous as the site of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which took place on 13 September 1759. Though written into the history books, housing and minor industrial structures were still erected atop hundreds of acres of the fields. Only in 1908 was the land ceded to Quebec City, though administered by the Battlefields Commission. The park is today used by 4 million visitors and tourists annually for sports, relaxation, outdoor concerts, music festivals and more. The park itself presently occupies an area approximately 2.4 km (1.5 mi) long by 0.8 km (0.5 mi) wide, 43.7 ha (108 acre) that extends westward from the Citadelle of QuĂŠbec and the walls of QuĂŠbec City along a plateau above the Saint Lawrence River, and forms
Monument of Faith at Place d'Armes a gothic style fountain-monument erected in 1916 to celebrate Canada
a part of The Battlefields Park. In 1913, the National Battlefields Commission placed a column identical to one that had been built on the site in 1849, and a Cross of Sacrifice was put on the plains to commemorate soldiers who were lost in World War I; it continues to be the location of Remembrance Day ceremonies yearly.
Shopping Offering a great mix of history and cosmopolitan flair, Quebec City is a world-class destination beyond compare. A distinct European aesthetic, vibrant francophone culture and rich traditions characterize the lively city, where shopping experiences are as diverse as the city's impressive architecture, attractions and activities. Whatever shoppers desire, the city offers the utmost in retail therapy and opportunities range from quaint street-shopping districts to large-scale shopping. Old Québec - Upper Town Considered the gem of Quebec City, the Historic District of Old Quebec World Heritage Site (Vieux-Québec) is replete with history dating back to the early 17th century when French explorer Samuel de Champlain chose the area as a base for trading and religious missions. Much of the walled city remains as it was in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, making for stunning
Rue Petit Champlain - designed by Eugène-Étienne Taché and built from 1877 to 1886.
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landscapes and experiences that are sure to impress. Within the Upper Town (Haute-ville) area, shopping opportunities range from upscale, exclusive boutiques to quaint boutique gift shops. The streets of St-Jean and St-Louis are great choices for finding one-of-a-kind treasures while Du Buade Street—lined on one side by Notre Dame Cathedral—is a short esplanade offering a mix of national chain-brand stores, high-end boutiques and specialty shops, including a popular year-round Christmas shop. The open-air gallery that lines the narrow alley along rue du Tresor (Treasure Street) is ideal for those seeking original art while the St-Paul Street is a must for antique collectors. Just steps from St-Paul is Marche du Vieux Port, a year-round farmers' market perfect for finding locally-made gifts and fresh foods. Lower Town: Petit Champlain District Lower Town (Basse-ville), named for its location at the foot of Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin), is a quaint commercial district filled to the brim with history and romance. In particular, the Petit
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Champlain District (Quartier Petit Champlain) with its narrow cobblestone streets, 17th and 18th century architecture and Old-World ambiance make for one-of-a-kind shopping experiences. Artisan shops are nestled within the pedestrian district and showcase Quebecois jewellery, fashion and art, as well as national and international boutiques with unique gifts and treasures. The magic is heightened during the winter season when
the storefronts and streetscapes are adorned with twinkling lights and decorations that will inspire any holiday shopping trip. The rue du TrÊsor is situated in the very heart of the old city, a stone's throw from the famous Château Frontenac.As such, the street itself has been around for centuries. It was used to access the Royal Treasury (hence the name "Treasure Street"), where the colonists would pay the annual tax. After the battle of Quebec and the establishment of British rule, the street became little more than a service alley. The "treasure" was to stay buried for another two hundred years. It was in the early 1960's that young artists Pierre Lussier and Harry Merlou first decided to hang up his works on this quiet street used mostly by pedestrians. Situated
Rue Petit Champlain in winterfilled with the spirit of the holidays, the street is covered in bright decorations.
so close to the city's landmark buildings, the artist soon attracted the attention of passing tourists. The idea caught on with some of the city's up-and-coming artists, who decided to follow Lussier and Merlou's example. As the crowds grew larger with each passing year, the exhibit became semi-permanent. Each artist had its own assigned space, and some began to hire representatives so that they spend more time actually producing the art, and less time selling it. Now in its fourth decade of existence, the street remains as lively as ever, with record crowds passing through it every summer.
Entertainment North America's most European city, historic Québec brims with museums and heritage attractions on virtually every street corner! Proudly conserved and restored, they beckon you back in time to explore the origins of the city known as the cradle of French North America. Whether you're in the Old City or at a nearby resort area, buildings, murals, statues, monuments, and parks reveal the rich history and tell the story of the region's storied past. Funiculaire du Vieux Québec A direct link between Dufferin Terrace and Quartier PetitChamplain, Place-Royale and the Old Port. See the St. Lawrence River and Lower Town from an interesting vantage point as you travel up or down the cliff face at a 45-degree angle. The main entrance of the funicular is in Louis Jolliet House, located at 16 rue Petit-Champlain. The upper level entrance is on Dufferin Terrace near the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Height: 85.5 m (282'). On November 17, 2009, the
Le Théâtre La Fenière - see films and plays at Québec's favorite theater in the area of L'Ancienne-Lorette.
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funicular has celebrated its 130 anniversary. Service begins early in the morning and ends just before midnight. It is the only one of its kind in North America.The main entrance of the funicular, at the historic House of Louis Jolliet, 16 Petit-Champlain Street, in the heart of Old Quebec and near Place-Royale. This house was built in 1683 by the architect Baillif for Louis Jolliet. He lived here until his death in 1700. It was restored in 1978. Louis Jolliet was born in Quebec City in 1645. In 1666, he devoted his time to fur trading. Most importantly, during one of his expedition he discovered the Mississippi River with Father Jacques Marquette. Jolliet was also cartographer and hydrographer. He was the first Quebec born canadian to make history.
Funiculaire du Veiux QuĂŠbec - at the historic
House of Louis Jolliet on Petit-Champlain
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Funiculaire du Vieux Québec Dive into the sea, in Québec City. Come and meet the 10,000 marine animals that inhabit the Aquarium: fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and sea mammals. Among them, the famous polar bear, walruses, and seals will provide you with unique moments. Watch them when they're feeding or being trained. A fascinating experience for young and old alike! This huge site (16 hectares) has superbly laid out areas indoors and outdoors. Come for a picnic, cool off with the water games, and navigate the Tree-toTree pathway. In the picnic area there are trees, flowers, and a view overlooking the river... Several areas are available in different sectors. The terrace of La Grande Ourse restaurant is also open to picnickers. Bring your own meal or buy it. The boutique offers souvenirs with the colours of the Aquarium and the animals it shelters: decorative items, clothing, jewellery, books, postcards, photos, toys and gifts, etc.
Aquarium du Québec - Be charmed by more than 10,000 marine animal species
Martello Towers Quebec City originally had four Martello towers. Tower No. 1 stands on the Plains of Abraham, overlooking the St Lawrence River. It has been restored as a museum and one may visit it during the summer months. Tower no. 2 stands close nearby and currently hosts an 1812 Murder Mystery Dinner. Tower No. 3 was demolished in the 20th century after being used as a residence. The fourth surviving Martello Tower in Quebec, No. 4, is located in a residential area on the north side of the Upper City overlooking Lower Town. Martello Tower 2 is open to the public only during staged events, like the Convict’s Last Drink. This lively theater (in English) gives a taste of 19th-century justice. It features a mock trial of a soldier accused of a crime, and the audience will decide his fate while – and this is the important part – sampling delicious homemade beers.
A French-language version (La Dernier Verre) takes place at 6:30pm daily (mid-July to early September). Other shows include an ‘1814, council-of-war-style’ feast, during which diners must discover who among them is the ‘traitor.’ It’s in French only, but there are translated scripts so English speakers can follow along. Espace 400e At the site of what used to be an old-fashioned interpretation center, this all-new waterfront pavilion opened in June 2008 as the central location for Québec's 400th-anniversary celebrations. Purposely raw-looking, it's a vast concrete, metal, and glass space ideal for avantgarde, dreamlike exhibits. Its initial offering was a smashingly innovative work that featured whispered audio, dim lighting, stories from dozens of "regular-folk" Québecois about their family histories, and a clever, interactive motif that allowed visitors to imagine what it might have been like to arrive here as an immigrant. From 2009 on, Espace will be a Parks Canada discovery center, with exciting future exhibits to be determined.
Espace 400e - The pavilion opened in June 2008 for Québec's 400th-anniversary
Nature & Wildlife Now's the time to grab your gear! Recreation, relaxation, and excitement all beckon just kilometers from town. From Portneuf and Jacques-Cartier area to the Côte-de-Beaupré region and beautiful Île d'Orléans, have tons of fun in Québec's sensational outdoor playground. Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is a National Wildlife Area located on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in the Charlevoix region of Quebec established on 28 April 1978. It is critical habitat for the Greater Snow Goose during migration. Flocks of tens of thousands of these birds stop over to feed on the bullrushes in the spring and fall. The tidal marsh was recognized as a wetland of international significance per the Ramsar Convention in 1981, the first North American site to receive that distinction.
A Babbling Brook - gently rolls through the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
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The Montmorency Falls Montmorency Falls are a large waterfall on the Montmorency River in Quebec, Canada. The falls are located on the boundary between the borough of Beauport, Quebec City, and Boischatel, about 12 km from the heart of old Quebec City. The area surrounding the falls is protected within the Montmorency Falls Park. The falls, at 84 meters (275 ft) high, (and 150 feet wide) are the highest in the province of Quebec and 30 m (98 ft) higher than Niagara Falls. The basin at the foot of the falls is 17 m (56 ft) deep. The falls are at the mouth of the Montmorency River where it drops over the cliff shore into the Saint Lawrence River, opposite the western end of the ﾃ四e d'Orleans. The falls were given this name in 1613 by Samuel de Champlain. He named them in honour of Henri II, duc de Montmorency, who served as viceroy of New France from 1620 until 1625.There are staircases that allow visitors to view the falls from several different perspectives. A suspension bridge over the crest of falls provides access to both sides of the park as well as a spectacular view. There is also an aerial tram that carries passengers between the base and the top of the falls.
Montmorency Falls -named in 1613 by Samuel de Champlain after the duc de Montmorency
Wildlife in QuĂŠbec Wildlife in Quebec City is one of the city's rich heritages. A large number of tourists each year are attracted by the variety of magnificent landscapes, the extensive stretches of untouched wilderness, and the numerous lakes and watercourses. The wildlife in Quebec City has its makes this place a world class tourism destination. Quebec City wildlife comprises the unique natural heritage of the eastern region where you will find whales floating by the deep fjords, Caribou and moose grazing at the splendid mountains, and colonies of exotic seabirds nesting at the coasts. The city is the only enclosed city in North America, built on Cape Diamant. The stretch from Quebec City to Tadoussac features beautiful scenery of waterfalls and parks.
Veery Bird -perched on a low-lying branch at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
At the Saguenay Fjord you will find a rich and dynamic ecosystem. This attracts many species of birds and animals. Here you can join a wolf watching program or utilize the hawk migration platform, from which you can see numerous red-tailed, wide winged and sharp beaked hawks. On the crossing from Saint Simeon you will see whales, if you are lucky. Wildlife in Quebec City also includes the densest moose population of the world, which can be found in the heart of Appalachian Mountain. The most southern Caribou herd of North America is also found here. Do not miss out on this chance to see moose and Caribou together. You may also visit the Forillon National Park to see the wildlife in Quebec City. At the Gulf of St Lawrence you will find finback, mink and humpback whales. Bonaventure Island has the second largest gannet colony in the world. visit these while going for wildlife tours at Quebec City.
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A large number of birds are included in the wildlife at Quebec City. These include innumerable species, with some of the threatened species being Barrow's Goldeneye, Bicknell's Trush, Caspian Turn, Cerulean Warbler, Golden Eagle, Red-headed Woodpecker and Sedge Wren. Include the natural parks in your Quebec City tours for a colorful experience. Joan of Arc Garden Created in 1938 by landscape architect Louis Perron, the garden has its own special style: rectangular in shape and built slightly below ground level, it combines the French classical style with the British-style beds. Visitors have an opportunity to admire over 150 species of annuals, bulbs and, especially, perennials. From April to October, visitors are enchanted by the multitude of colours and scents. For the last 100 years or so, the National Battlefields Commission has been growing all the flowers used to beautify the park. The greenhouses, among the oldest active in QuĂŠbec, produce some 50,000 annuals, biennials and perennials.
Mosaiculture or carpet-bedding has been used since the early 1900s, carpet bedding consists in making raised drawings or lettering with specific plants (santolinasm alternentheras). Creativity, imagination and dexterity are the key words to describe mosaiculture (carpetbedding). This particular technique has become an important part of the ornamental horticultural tradition of the park and the pride of QuĂŠbec's gardening expertise.
Joan of Arc Garden - combines the French classical style with British-style garden beds
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Transportation On Foot The Funiculaire, Quebec City's diagonal, counterweight railway Walking is a great way to get around the Old Town, as the compact layout makes distances short. You will see beautiful old buildings and little vistas around every corner. You will get exercise. Do be careful of uneven cobblestones and narrow streets, though. C么te de la Montagne is a steep, winding street that connects Upper Town and Lower Town. If you get tired, use the Funiculaire to go between the upper and lower parts of the Old Town. $2 per person will get you from near the base of the Breakneck Stairs (l'Escalier Casse-Cou) back up to the front of the Chateau Frontenac. It is well worth it if you have small children or large packages. Many intersections are set up with separate traffic signals and cycles for cars and for pedestrians. At one point in the cycle, all traffic lights turn red and all pedestrian signals turn white, meaning that you can cross the intersection in any direction.
Basse Ville - The lower village filled with pedestrians walking to and from their destinations.
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Yet when the traffic light is green and the pedestrian signal is red, you may find cars turning in front of you. Some intersections have a pedestrian button to activate the signals, and you will never get a pedestrian cycle unless you push that button. By Bike The bicycle network of Quebec City has been growing slowly but steadily for the last decade. Although small compared to the extensive utilitarian network of Montreal, it now offers a few recreational bike paths called Corridors with complete bidirectional and segregated bike lanes starting downtown and ending in the countryside, generally giving splendid views of the area on the way. Most of them are part of the Route Verte system of provincial bike paths. Corridor des Cheminots is a peaceful trail that runs from the Old Port to Val-BĂŠlair, which continues on to the Jacques-Cartier park area. Even though it can be a challenge because of its long uphill slope, it (obviously) is a breeze on the way back. The eastern section of Corridor du Littoral leads to Chutes Montmorency. This one-hour route (2 hours both ways) runs along the St. Lawrence River, unfortunately hidden by the Dufferin Expressway. By crossing under the expressway, you can make brief stops at the Baie de Beauport recreational
park and the Battures de Beauport vista point for restrooms and views on the river. Keep some of your strength for the stairs up at Chutes Montmorency: the view is well worth it. The western section of Corridor du Littoral leads to the award-winning Samuel-de-Champlain promenade. This time, no expressway stops you from having spectacular views on the river and you might even enjoy some nice contemporary architecture on the way. Restrooms and a cafe can be found at the end of the promenade. 1½ hour both ways. The Parcours des Anses is in Lévis, across the river. Cross with the ferry for $3 (an experience in itself) and bike west on the south shore until you reach the Quebec Bridge and cross back on the north shore to connect with the Samuel-deChamplain promenade and Corridor du Littoral. Crossing the Quebec Bridge is not for the faint of heart though, as it is the longest cantilever bridge in the world and the path is narrow. That said, this route is the most rewarding of all and will take you a whole afternoon to complete. The city offers maps of its bicycle paths online and they are open from April to October.
Québec City Gate cars drive under the city gate en route through the city
By Car Driving in the Old Town can be tricky, since the cobblestone streets were designed for narrow 17th-century horse carts rather than 21st-century SUVs. One way streets abound throughout the Old Town, and parking is difficult to find. Be aware of parking signs and ask locals to ensure parking regulation is understood. Parking patrols are effective and unforgiving. Outside of the Old Town, the use of a car is recommended.
Right turns on red are allowed unless otherwise indicated. During the months of November through April, snow will definitely affect driving conditions. Snow tires are required by provincial law between December 15 and March 15 for all vehicles plated in Quebec as some roads will lack snow removal, sand or salting. Vehicles plated in the US or in other provinces are not subject to this requirement. If snowfall occurred recently, watch out for red flashing lights. It means snow removal is underway. Cars parked on the street will be fined and towed. Parking in an underground garage is advised. By Public Transit The RTC, Quebec's public transportation system, is a system of buses and express shuttles that cover the whole city. Tickets cost $2.75 each, which will earn you the right to ride one direction with a transfer valid for two hours. As paper tickets are not available anymore, you cannot buy them in advance unless you have an OPUS card. Daily passes (2 for 1 on weekends) and monthly passes are also sold in licensed stores across town. Free for children below the age of 6. Drivers do not carry money and cannot change bills so do carry exact change. Google Transit can be used to find the best itinerary.
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Four of the bus lines are frequent-service lines called Metrobus. They are served by recognizable green and grey articulated buses. 800 and 801 both start in Ste-Foy, head toward the Old Town, and end in Beauport and Charlesbourg respectively. 802 starts at Beauport to Belvedere, through Limoilou and Saint-Sauveur. 803 runs along Lebourgneuf blvd and connects with the Galeries de la Capitale terminus. They can run as often as one every three minutes during rush hour. The Ecolobus line stops at most of the sights and hotels of the Old Town and is only $1. A
short electric bus, it connects with both the ferry and Metrobuses. It runs every 20 minutes.The STLévis, Lévis's public transit, operates within the south shore of Quebec. There is also a shuttle from St-Augustin to Quebec. These different transit companies all pass through Quebec City, which explains the different colours of buses around town. By Boat From Quebec to Lévis, the ferry costs $7 for a car (including driver) and 3$ for pedestrians and cyclists, and takes approx 15 minutes, all year round. There are departures every 20 minutes at peak hours, 30 minutes off peak. It gives the best view in town.
Québec Ferry The ferry as it crosses the St. Lawrence River
Photo Credits
Front/Back cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wikipedia.org Inside spread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . photoshow.com Page 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . quebecregion.com Page 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . scenicreflections.com Page 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . quebecregion.com