After a long drive and a speeding ticket (admittedly well-deserved) I arrived in Quebec City.
Some highlights:
- Most reasonably-sized and walkable town
- Beautiful European architecture
Montmorency Falls
My first stop was Montmorency Falls, which are 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. The surrounding park, Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, is a nice place and even has a zipline. Fun for the whole family!
After falling for the falls I headed into the city to walk around and explore.
Old Quebec
Quebec was founded in 1608 and was the capital of New France, France’s North American colonies. The upper part of Old Quebec is surrounded by a fortified wall; it is the only walled city in the US and Canada. Although built to withstand attack, the walls were ultimately unsuccessful in defending the city from the British, who took Quebec from France in 1759.
Shortly after the founding of Quebec, from 1663 to 1673, the French government paid for the passage and settlement to New France of about 800 women. Called the “filles du roi” (daughters of the king), these women were mostly poor orphans encouraged to immigrate for the purpose of marrying and starting families. The colony had a poor girl to guy ratio so the government hoped that this incentive would stimulate growth of the French population. It clearly did; these “filles du roi” made a lasting contribution to the French presence in North America.
Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-De Mons
After seeing the lower and upper parts I headed even further up to see the city from above. I walked around the Citadelle to Pierre-Dugua-De Mons Terrace and caught the sunset as well as the multitude of other tourists taking selfies.
And that’s it for Quebec City. Having gotten the opportunity to practice my terrible French I was excited to head to another French Canadian stronghold, Montreal. Stay tuned!
Mikhail's Travel Adventures 