Quebec City (Ville de Québec) is the capital of the (French) Canadian province Quebec and is situated on the St. Lawrence River, north of Montreal. It is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and has a fascinating history.
Quebec’s Old Town (Vieux-Québec) is the only continental fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist.
Although French explorer Jacques Cartier built a fort at the site in 1535, this first settlement was abandoned in the summer 1542, due in large part to the hostility of the natives combined with the harsh living conditions during winter. (I can attest to that, having spent several days there on business one January!)
Quebec was founded by Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer and diplomat on July 3, 1608, 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. – Wikipedia
Many battles were fought over possession of New France. Quebec City was captured by the British in 1759 during the Seven Years War and held until the end. France ceded New France, including the city, to Britain in 1763. During the American Revolution, troops from the southern colonies attempted to “liberate” Quebec, without success.
I’ve been to Quebec City three times (twice on business, once on vacation), and just love it’s European flavour! Unfortunately, the photos I had are misplaced (again!), but this tourist video illustrates the charm very well:
[Photo Credit]
[Photo Credit]
[Photo Credit]![Rue du Petit-Champlain [PhotoCredit]](https://i0.wp.com/thedogladysden.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Rue-du-Petit-Champlain.jpg?resize=500%2C439)
[Photo Credit]
Quebec City has a world-renowned Winter Carnival and a Summer Music Festival. Lots to do, all year round. Just bundle up in winter!
Speaking of winter, if you’re into skiing or snowboarding, there are several resorts in the area, with an average natural snowfall of over 400 cm each year.
Aimez-vous Québec? (Do you like Quebec?)
Looking forward to your comments!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
38 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: “Q” is for QUEBEC CITY”
I have always wanted to visit Quebec, but haven’t…yet! 😉 I would love to visit and stay at Hotel Chateau Frontenac, cruise the St. Lawrence river, see the falls, and possibly immerse myself in the Winter Carnival (if I can withstand the cold). Otherwise their famous jazz fest. 😉 I had no idea that it had old European charm and that would appeal to me: it might remind me of The Netherlands (where I’m from) with cobble stone streets, and small shops etc. 😉 <3
You would love Quebec City, Elly! 🙂 It’s the most European city I’ve seen that’s outside of Europe. It would definitely remind you of home. It certainly does that, for me.
Fascinating! I would love to go there someday. I loved seeing the magnificent pictures. ♥
Nice!
I am from Montreal and it’s always a pleasure to go to Quebec city for a few days.
With great respect! A.
Thanks for dropping by Ambrozya! Sorry to have missed your comment earlier. Montreal is my father’s birthplace and I enjoy it there as well. Quebec City’s European flavour is wonderful. 🙂
Nice one Debbie – and u made me wanna go and visit Quebec even more now:-) Seems to have a lot to offer:-) Hugs
Yes, all that and the ice sculptures you mentioned, Eli. 🙂 It really is a beautiful city and I’d like to go back again, (but only in the summer 😉 )
I had heard about Quebec but didn’t know much about it… thanks for telling about its history and other facts and activities…
well, I ‘m glad I’ve come to know more about many such nice places, going through A-Z posts
Glad you enjoyed my post and thanks for visiting. That’s the hardest part of this challenge, isn’t it?
FINALLY – I’ve been some place you mentioned! Now here is the funny part – whenever I think of Quebec I remember the best pizza I ever ate (and I love pizza) We walked a couple miles to get there and certainly were not disappointed. Can I remember the name of the place now? NOPE
That is funny, Carol! I never would have associated Quebec City with pizza, but it must have been exceptional. 🙂
This city looks so inviting in your pictures. Interesting historical facts that you gave us. A must visit place, for sure.
Glad you enjoyed the article. 🙂 Have a good week.
Arghh did my comment disappear again? Want to visit Quebec City – easier than traveling to France, but same flavor, I hope 🙂
You have a new portrait photo, Debbie. I like it!!
Your previous comment was there, Sammy and I just replied to it. Had the same issue on your site though. What new portrait? I haven’t changed anything in months and have the most current one there; the “old grey mare”. Hmmm……..Downright “Twilight Zonish”!
Oui, je l’aime! I’ve never been, and it’s certainly on my list. A tad more accessible than France but hopefully with the flavor. I’ll have to talk to Hub about making a visit to Quebec happen. Thank you for this enticing nudge.
Oh, it definitely has that French flavour, Sammy. 🙂 Hope you get there one day.
I’ve been to Montreal, but I don’t think we made it to Quebec City. We were too busy watching my brother get married.
Montreal is also a fabulous city and I can imagine you had a good time there, Joyce. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
Quite a lot of history packed into little Quebec! Lovely pics!
Oh yes, it is a charming and historic place. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
I want to walk those streets– charming!
It’s a beautiful place! 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting and have a good week.
I never realised Quebec was so European. That could be a street in France on your last photograph.
Oh yes, it is very French. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
It’s been way too long since I was in Quebec City. You’ve reminded me of what a beautiful city it is and so historical. I lived in Montreal for 7 years in the 1980s and went to Quebec City once during that time with my mom. I must go back again with the hubs sometime. Thanks for another fun travel article to entice us to go traveling.
Glad you enjoyed the article, Cathy. Yes, I’d say it’s time for a return visit, for us too. We were there last in the late 80s. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
The streets look beautiful…i have read about the place a lot. Loved the pictures.
Glad you enjoyed this travelogue. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
I didn’t really know much about Quebec, so this was an interesting article for me. Who knows? I may get there some summer (not winter–Salt Lake City was cold enough for me, and after this winter here in Brooklyn, I’m not a probable winter visitor. 😉
Yes, I think summers would be better for both of us, Mary. 🙂 Hope you get there one day.
Looks and sounds wonderful Debbie 🙂 I especially like the pic of the old city and the Hotel is of course majestic.
It’s a lovely old city and I’m sure you’d enjoy it. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Looks like a very interesting city. Love the The Hotel Chateau Frontenac Thanks for sharing lovely pictures.
Dropping by from AtoZ
It’s beautiful and historic, Suzy. 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting and have a good week.
OK, now here’s a city I HAVE visited! We stayed for five nights in a hotel just outside the walls of the old city, and spent every day exploring the streets of Vieux-Québec. I adore that beautiful place, and am dying to return some day. Thanks for the memories!
Yay – finally found one we have in common! 🙂 I love it too and would like to go back sometime.