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Quebec City Lower Town

February 2, 2019 by 28 Comments

Old Quebec City

In December, I posted a handful of photos from the day we spent rambling around Quebec City, and I have just a few more to share. The 400-year-old city is divided into two parts, an upper, walled portion (Upper Town, called Haute-Ville in French) and a lower section (Lower Town, called Basse-Ville in French) that is level with the St. Lawrence River. The pictures in the first blog post were taken in Upper Town, but I enjoyed Lower-Town even more. It felt the more like a European City with its narrow streets and cobblestone squares.

The photo below shows the view of Lower Town from Upper Town. The picture above was taken in Lower Town and looks up at Upper Town and the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.

Old Quebec City

Within Lower Town is a section called Quartier Petit Champlain. Named after Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer who founded Quebec City in 1608, Quartier Petit Champlain is considered the oldest commercial district in North America. Although small, it’s a great place for tourists to wander around because of its many shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

Quartier Petit Champlain Quebec City

Quartier Petit Champlain Quebec City

My favorite part of Lower Town was Place Royale, a beautiful square that sits next to the church Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. Place Royale has been named the “birthplace of French America.” It was Quebec City’s commercial epicenter from the time the city was founded through the mid-1800s.

Old Quebec City

Old Quebec City Place Royale

The church, pictured below, dates back to 1688 and is the oldest in North America, although it has undergone multiple restorations. The name was chosen after Quebec City survived the Battle of Quebec in 1690.

Quebec City Notre Dame des Victoires Church

Nearby, we came across a quaint street that provided a view of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. The colored umbrellas hanging between two buildings created the perfect photo op.

Old Quebec City

Old Quebec City

The umbrellas hang just outside the Pape-Georges, a tavern housed in an almost-400-year-old building.

Access between Lower Town and Upper Town is by stairs, a narrow roadway, or the funicular (funiculaire in French). The funicular opened in 1879 and was powered by steam engine until 1907, when electricity was installed. In Lower Town, it runs out of the Louis Jolliet House–built in 1683 for Louis Jolliet, the European who discovered the Mississippi River. Photos of the house and funicular are shown below.

Old Quebec City Funicular

Old Quebec City Funiculaire

Before I go, I can’t resist sharing these snapshots that I took from the Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace, a hill in Upper Town that provides a stunning view of the Fairmont hotel, Lower Town, and the St. Lawrence River. Our day in Quebec City was superb.

Old Quebec City view of Lower Town St Lawrence

Old Quebec City view of Lower Town St Lawrence

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Filed Under: International, Travel Tagged With: Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, French America, funiculaire, funicular, Louis Jolliet, Notre Dame, Pape Georges, Place Royale, Quartier Petit Champlain, Quebec City, Samuel de Champlain, St Lawrence River

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. anonymous

    February 2, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    I’d have to not even read your blog, to not comment.
    You do such a good job. This time of describing the photos you took and giving information about the place you visited. So it seems callous to not give you back at least a word of praise for the enjoyable experience you gave by sharing. Nicely done, thank-you!

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 3, 2019 at 10:06 am

      You are very kind. So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment. Have a wonderful Sunday.

      Ellie

      Reply
  2. Justine

    February 3, 2019 at 5:19 am

    Hey Ellie
    U 3, should come to Vancouver BC, I’d love to show U around, and take U on a wonderful trip to Whistler BC too!!!! That is where I was born, in Whistler BC, I am a Mountain Girl, and I know the best spots too!!!!! Really I mean this 100%!!! Have a great night!!!!!

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 3, 2019 at 10:07 am

      That would be fun, Justine! I have been to Vancouver and Whistler, and both are beautiful. Very neat that you were born in Whistler. Do you ski?

      Ellie

      Reply
      • Justine

        February 3, 2019 at 4:57 pm

        I am very embarrassed, but no, I hate the feeling under your feet, like that slippery feeling. I tried very hard to love it though, but I don’t like it!!!! When did U go to Vancouver+Whistler??? I worked for the Mountain, so I had a pass. I also Bungeed Jumped/ Zip Trecked, (every line), in Whistler BC!!! I love U 3!!!

        Reply
        • Ellie

          February 4, 2019 at 11:02 am

          I believe I visited Whistler in 2008. We went skiing for 4 days. Definitely the most beautiful ski resort I have been to. The snow was coming down in thick, beautiful flakes, and the conditions were perfect.

          Ellie

          Reply
          • Justine

            February 5, 2019 at 12:08 am

            When I worked at for The Mountain, it was the 06/07 season, just missed 1 year, lol, and I hope Mini Handsome is doing well!!!!!! U are 100% better!!!! I’d love to see what Mimi looks like. OK take care!!!

          • Ellie

            February 5, 2019 at 10:10 am

            LOL. Tanks, Justine. We’re doing very well.

            Ellie

  3. Connie Dean

    February 3, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    Congratulations your beautiful baby boy. Tell Duggar’s and Bates big Hello from me. God bless all of you and Beautiful baby. God bless Duggars and Bates to.

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 3, 2019 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you, Connie!

      Reply
  4. Sarah

    February 3, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    These photos are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 3, 2019 at 3:01 pm

      My pleasure, Sarah. Glad to hear you enjoyed them. Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday afternoon!

      Ellie

      Reply
  5. Mary Louise Emond

    February 3, 2019 at 3:48 pm

    Hi! I live in Quebec City you did a wonderful job!!
    Thank you,
    Mary Louise

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 4, 2019 at 11:00 am

      Thanks, Mary Louise! It’s such a beautiful place.

      Ellie

      Reply
  6. Kay

    February 4, 2019 at 10:19 am

    That’s interesting. Love the church and the umbrellas! But… I keep checking your blog in hopes of baby news / updates. Maybe being selfish, since you probably want to keep details private. Just wondering in case you think people wouldn’t be interested, because lots of mommys would love to know even just little things going on in your life with a new baby.

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 4, 2019 at 10:58 am

      Thanks for the feedback, Kay! I’ll post an update this week. 🙂

      Ellie

      Reply
  7. AmyRyb

    February 4, 2019 at 11:47 am

    This brought back great memories for me. I went there in 1996 as part of a high school trip, and absolutely loved it. Of course, it was below zero as we took our walking tour of the city, so it was a little harder to enjoy! But it was so beautiful, and I loved walking the streets of the Lower Town because it felt so fancy and European! I could have looked the Chateau Frontenac all day long, from every angle. I need to get back there, but I’m a little nervous because my French isn’t nearly what it was then…and it was hard enough to communicate then!

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 4, 2019 at 4:26 pm

      Sounds fun, although below zero would have been difficult. I agree, my French has gone downhill since I took it in high school. Thankfully lots of people in the shops and restaurants knew English or were able to find another employee who did.

      Ellie

      Reply
  8. Michelle

    February 4, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    Lovely photos! I so enjoy travel, and always like seeing places I haven’t been able to visit yet through the experiences and photos of others. Love your travel posts!

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 4, 2019 at 4:21 pm

      Thanks, Michelle! What are some of your favorite places you have visited?

      Ellie

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 5, 2019 at 8:06 am

        So far, I’ve really enjoyed time in Key West, FL; Roatan, Honduras; and Oahu, HI most of all. Parts of Belize and Mexico are lovely, too! I haven’t made it to Canada yet, but I’d love to see PEI.

        Reply
        • Ellie

          February 5, 2019 at 10:07 am

          How was Roatan? The photos look beautiful! I, too, would love to visit Prince Edward Island.

          Ellie

          Reply
          • Michelle

            February 7, 2019 at 11:50 pm

            Roatan was wonderful. Such beautiful beaches, and seeing the variety of starfish and other tropical fish was amazing!

          • Ellie

            February 8, 2019 at 9:16 am

            Sounds AMAZING! I love beach vacations.

  9. Candi

    February 4, 2019 at 5:44 pm

    A great travel tour! Loved the pics! Those umbrellas were a quirky and fun thing to see!

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 5, 2019 at 10:16 am

      Glad you enjoyed the pics, Candi! I agree, the umbrellas were a lot of fun. I think they’re a permanent fixture there because I saw some photos of them online.

      Ellie

      Reply
  10. Marilyn

    February 6, 2019 at 6:35 pm

    Thank You for sharing these lovely photos. I would love to visit Prince Edward Island as me are big Anne Of Green Gable Fans.
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

    Reply
    • Ellie

      February 6, 2019 at 8:48 pm

      That would be a wonderful trip indeed!

      Reply

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Mr. Handsome and I married six years ago and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Between recipes, photos from our travels, money saving tips, DIY suggestions, post about our daily life with our son, and more, our lifestyle blog features a little bit of everything. Read More…

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