Travel Thursday - The Streets of Old Quebec City

One of the remaining gates

 Quebec city was settled by Europeans in 1608 and is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. It is the only fortified city north of Mexico. Much of the old world charm has been preserved because it is a UNESCO site. 

Quebec is the Algonquin word for narrow passage, as the city was built on the narrowest passage of the St. Lawrence Seaway

A very brief history.

1608 - Champlain establishes it as a fur trading post. 

Fortification of the city begins here and it continues to be built on until the gates are removed in 1871.

1663: Quebec becomes the capital of New France

1759: The British and French have a war over this, including the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, ending the French rule of New France. However, the French language, culture and legal system is maintained. 

1791: Quebec city becomes the capital of Lower Canada

1867: Confederation of Canada

We will talk more about the history of this city (from a European perspective) as we go on.

Here are some of the sites from a stroll around the old city:

On top of the wall

The Chateau Frontenac

Notre-Dame

Inside Notre Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral

  

Reminders this was a fortified city

See the modern Funicular to take you up to the top of the city if it is 37C/98F and you have been walking all day and have bags of food and drink to bring home (cost $6 Cdn one way per person - really priceless on days you are walking over 15000 steps in that heat)

From a boat tour - it is not overcast - that is poor air due to smoke from forest fires

Modern art in an old city

I would be remiss not to mention some of the favourite food I ate.

First up Onion Soup. A stable of the French diet since medieval times.  It has evolved over the years and now includes bread and cheese, which is under the broth. 

The Quebec invention of poutine, historical made with fries, gravy and cheese curds. I do not like this generally as I don't like gravy. However, I died and went to heaven with this poutine - Duck a l'Orange Confit Poutine with a red wine gravy. If you are ever in Quebec City I can't recommend the Gluten Free French Restaurant Bistro Hortus enough (we ate there for 2 meals and one dessert). 

Pictured in the back is a Lamb Shank also excellent

A brownie with homemade blueberry ice cream

Next week, if the cats allow, we will leave the city for a day and go and explore some of the country side around it.