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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Exciting news…I now have an Instagram page! Follow me @NashvilleWife.com.
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!
You are very kind. So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Ellie
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!!!!!
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
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!!!
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
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!!!
LOL. Tanks, Justine. We’re doing very well.
Ellie
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.
Thank you, Connie!
These photos are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Sarah. Glad to hear you enjoyed them. Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday afternoon!
Ellie
Hi! I live in Quebec City you did a wonderful job!!
Thank you,
Mary Louise
Thanks, Mary Louise! It’s such a beautiful place.
Ellie
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.
Thanks for the feedback, Kay! I’ll post an update this week. 🙂
Ellie
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!
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
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!
Thanks, Michelle! What are some of your favorite places you have visited?
Ellie
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.
How was Roatan? The photos look beautiful! I, too, would love to visit Prince Edward Island.
Ellie
Roatan was wonderful. Such beautiful beaches, and seeing the variety of starfish and other tropical fish was amazing!
Sounds AMAZING! I love beach vacations.
A great travel tour! Loved the pics! Those umbrellas were a quirky and fun thing to see!
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
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
That would be a wonderful trip indeed!