Unlike originally planned during our world trip, we had rented an Airbnb room in Quebec City for a few days. For camping it was simply still much too cold, since it had partly still minus degrees at night and also the individual campgrounds had still closed in April. Along our route the day before, we did pass some places that were labeled "open" on the Internet, but again, the "Closed!" signs were everywhere at the gate. The weather didn't quite like us either and gave us a few rainy days.
Phote: The old town of Quebec from the harbor
The rain break in Quebec City, however, was not too bad, because the rain caught us only once really and we had at least some still to catch up and our luggage to see through on completeness or to supplement.
Something that we spontaneously decided to buy or were forced to buy were laundry bags. You know: those nice bags that prevent the socks from disappearing! Well, that's what happened to us, unfortunately. Already after the first wash Kerstin had one sock less than before. All searching didn't help - it just wasn't there and couldn't be found! Spoiler alert: A few weeks later, Andreas found this sorely missed sock in his wonderfully smoothly folded t-shirt! Had we known this, we certainly would have had one less issue. But so we had at least once the pleasure to visit the famous store "Walmart"!
Photo: Only with a sock alone you can´t get far enough comfortably
In the rain breaks (which fortunately were often during the day) and after the work was done, we had enough time to discover Quebec City as well. Our host Sylvain had already provided us with information about Quebec and the area and very many good tips for us. Our very well located accommodation in the "Limoilou" district allowed us to get everywhere in the city center easily. As always, we just followed our feet more than the typical tour guides when walking around the city.
Here in Quebec, we also marveled at the individual houses with exterior staircases. Our host also drew our attention to the "ornaments" on some of the older houses, some of which used to be used to hang and dry snowshoes and skins outside.
Right in the first park (Parc du Vieux) we were greeted by the "typical" inhabitants of Canada: squirrels! Unlike in Montreal, there were black squirrels here in addition to the gray squirrels! Puschel & Co send their regards!
A few steps further we found something familiar and new again: art! This time in a slightly different form, which we simply can not withhold from you.
Locksmiths and hobbyists at home watch out! Who is bored in winter?!
In the middle of the park is this totally nice bench from: Nuts! Whoever had created this work of art, certainly had a "few" hours of fun!
Our feet carried us to the old train station, which is really worth seeing. In the hall, we felt somewhat transported to "Hogwarts" or to another time and yet totally in the modern age again.
Photo: 1.) Quebec coat of arms with the 4 plants for the 4 founding countries and the slogan "Je me souvien" (engl. "I remember") 2.) Quebec station front view 3.) Station hall inside: a mix of different mix times
Shortly afterwards we were reminded again of the still ongoing cold: in the port "Vieux-Port - Bassin Louise" the water was partly still completely frozen!
Photos: The port of Quebec was still completely frozen at the end of April 2022!
Not only the cold - also the past lockdown or the little existing tourists were noticeable in Quebec. Therefore, many sights were unfortunately still closed, which normally had already opened in April. The old town ("Old Quebec") was also at this time already waiting for our visit!
The old town is divided into "Upper-Town" ("Haute-Ville") and "Lower-Town" ("Basse-Ville"). This makes sense, since the entire old town stretches from the harbor (below) to the top of the mountain (above). At the top is Château Frontenac, a former castle that is now partly used as a hotel. We are used to quite a few castles from Europe, but the dimensions that have been built here are really enormous! - But see for yourself!
Photos: 1.) Chateau Fronteac with the terrace Dufferin in front of it 2.) the olf cannons of the fortress directed to the St. Lawrence River in front of Chateau Frontenac
Directly in front of Château Frontenac is the "Terrasse Dufferin". This is a viewing terrace from which you have an overview of the harbor and the St. Lawrence River. When we were there, there was still one of the winter attractions to see (unfortunately already closed): an ice sled run with about 250m! So quasi a bobsled run with sleds!
Photos: 1.) Terrasse Dufferin with the famous pavillons 2.) view from the pavilion to Chateau Frontenac 3.) View from the terrace to the opposite bank of the Saint Lawrence River (another district of Quebec)
Photos: 1.) Ice sledge run on the terrace Dufferin 2.) with these wooden sledges you rush down 3.) the sledge run leads to the Chateau Frontenac
From the terrace, we continued along the "Promenade des Gouverneurs" up the mountain, where there is then a huge citadel and the houses of the upper town ("Haute-Ville").
Photos: 1.-4.) Quebec Citadel 5.) View from the "Promenade des Gouverneurs" down to the lower town (Basse-Ville) and the harbor 6.) Entrance gate to the Citadel
Down from the mountain we passed the parliament ("hôtel de ville") with the many really interesting statues all around of people who were important for the city or the province. The interesting thing about these statues is that they look like they have been frozen in mid-motion! We had lots of fun visiting the statues first without a camera. Andreas in his "hiking outfit" (Fjallräven pants with "military" jacket" and the outdoor backpack) was rather unfamiliar to the securities and we were eyed very critically - until we finally unpacked our camera and were recognized as tourists!
Photos: Parliament of Quebec
On the way further down we also passed a few nice places to sit. If the road was often not straight but steeply downhill, then at least these were the benches at the bus stops! At other nice resting places we also became aware of the famous maple trees - after all, we found the "mini trees" (seedlings) almost in every groove!
Photos: 1.) If the road is not straight, then at lest the bank! 2.) Seedlings of maple trees on the roadside!
If you want to taste your way through the various delicacies or have some nightlife, you should visit the street "Rue Saint-Louis". You also pass various souvenir stores there. However, we were a bit surprised about the chess boards that can be bought there. While "political correctness" is actually written quite large in Quebec (even if French is rather preferred by some in this city), one can buy there chess boards with rather unusual figures: French against English soldiers or also white soldiers against natives!
From the upper town ("Haute-Ville") down to the lower town ("Basse-Ville") there were some really steep stairs in addition to the normal streets. However, one should not look at the rust and the statics - we came down in one piece, but we preferred to leave out the seats in the middle of the stairs!
In the lower town we admired, among other things, the church "Notre Dame des Victoires" with the statue of Louis XIV in front of it. Here we also took the opportunity to warm up a bit and tried the "Canadiano" sold there: an espresso with a shot of maple syrup! You should try this! (FYI: this coffee is only called that there, in case you're looking for it elsewhere!)
Photos: 1.) Andreas with statute of Ludwig XIV. 2.) Notre Dame des Victoires 3.-6.) A few impressions of Basse-Ville (here are partly silver-colored roofs) 7.-8.) Art may not be missing also in Quebec! 9.) Andreas with "storm hairstyle" und "Canadiano"
Even if it was only a few days here, there are so many places to discover! Also to the fact that French is predominant here, you get used very quickly!
Visiting Quebec City was definitely worth it! We can only advise you to just "ibahabs" times to see the city itself!
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