DISCOVER QUEBEC CITY
Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec, making it the seat of the provincial Crown. It is the second largest city in the province, after Montreal.
Quebec City's Old Town (Vieux-Quebec) is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 as the Historic District of Old Quebec. It is also one of the oldest cities in North America (founded in 1608).
Quebec City is internationally known for its Summer Festival, Winter Carnival and the Chateau Frontenac, a historic hotel which dominates the city skyline. The chief of Parliament, the National Assembly of Quebec (provincial parliament), the Musee national des beaux-arts du Québec (National Museum of Fine Arts) and the Musee de la civilisation (Museum of Civilization) are found within or near Vieux-Québec.
Among the tourist attractions near the city are Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre in the town of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.
Quebec City is located in the Saint Lawrence River valley, on the north bank of the Saint Lawrence River near its meeting with the St. Charles River. The region is low-lying and flat. The river valley has rich, arable soil, which makes this region the most fertile in the province. The Laurentian Mountains lie to the north of the city.
Upper Town lies on the top of Cap-Diamant (Cape Diamond) promontory. A high stone wall surrounds this portion of the city. The Plains of Abraham are located near the edge of the promontory. Lower Town is located at shore level, below Cap-Diamant.
Quebec City has a humid continental climate characterized by cold and snowy winters, warm and rather humid summers, and ample precipitation throughout the year. Quebec City is one of the snowiest cities in Canada and is almost guaranteed a white Christmas. The prolonged winter season and ample snowfall led to the idea of establishing the Quebec Winter Carnival. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn, are rather short, although autumn produces spectacular foliage colours. The summer is the sunniest, and paradoxically, the wettest time of year.
 ATTRACTIONS OF QUEBEC CITY
Many of the city's attractions are east of the fortification walls in Vieux-Québec (Old Quebec) and Place Royale (Royal Place). This area has a distinct European feel unique in North America with its stone buildings and winding streets lined with shops and restaurants. Porte St-Louis (St. Louis Gate) and Porte St-Jean (St. Jean Gate) are the main gates through the walls from the modern section of downtown. West of the walls are the Colline-Parlementaire (Parliament Hill) district and the Plaines d'Abraham (Plains of Abraham).
Quebec City's skyline is dominated by the massive Château Frontenac Hotel, perched on top of Cap-Diamant. The hotel is beside the Terrasse Dufferin (Dufferin Terrace), a walkway along the edge of the cliff, offering beautiful views of the Saint Lawrence River.
Near the Château Frontenac is Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral, mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec. It is the first church in the New World to be raised to a basilica and is the primatial church of Canada.
The Terrasse Dufferin leads toward the nearby Plains of Abraham, site of the battle in which the British took Quebec from France, and the Citadelle of Quebec, a Canadian Forces installation and the federal vice-regal secondary residence. The National Assembly, Quebec's provincial legislature, is also near the Citadelle.
The Haute-Ville (Upper Town) is linked by the Escalier casse-cou (literally "neck-breaker" steps) and the Old Quebec Funicular to the Basse-Ville (Lower Town), which includes such sites as the ancient Notre Dame des Victoires church, the historic Petit Champlain district, the port, and the Musée de la Civilisation (Museum of Civilization). Université Laval is located in the western end of the city, in the borough of Sainte-Foy. However, the school of architecture of Université Laval is located in Old Quebec. The central campus of the Université du Québec, originally in Sainte-Foy, is also, since the amalgamation, located in Quebec City. Canon balls are placed beside "Château Frontenac."
Quebec City is known for its Winter Carnival and for its Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations.
Quebec city has the oldest educational institution for women in North America, the Ursulines of Quebec monastery, located at 12 Rue Donnacona.
Tourist attractions located near Quebec City include Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.
From Wikipedia
 QUEBEC CITY HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION
QUEBEC CITY TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL
HOME •
CANADA •
DISCOVER CANADA •
Quebec •
Discover Quebec City
|
Looking for something specific?
 
|
DISCOVER CANADA
CANADA TOURS & TRAVEL
