Quebec City in Canada: Attractions and Interesting Facts

The focus of our article will be today the city of Quebec (Canada). Photos of this megalopolis give the impression of a romantic and very beautiful place. And not in vain. Every year, Quebec attends seventy thousand tourists. In this article you will find not only a description of the numerous sights of the city. We will give you a couple of tips on where to stop, how to move and what to try in Quebec.

The history of this city is very entertaining and full of exciting events. Quebec - the capital of the province of the same name. Although not the largest city of the region. Its population is three times overtaking Montreal with its indicator of 1,670,000 people (against 508,000 in Quebec). Therefore, the metropolitan gloss does not interfere with the chamber, almost home atmosphere of the "metropolis". Other cities in the province of Quebec - Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil and others - are quite small settlements with a population of one hundred three hundred thousand inhabitants. The capital plays a huge role in the economy of Canada. This is the fourth most living city in the country after Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton. Here the lowest unemployment rate. And Quebec is the third most important seaport of the country.

How to get there

Quebec - a city lying on the north bank of the St. Lawrence River, closer to the mouth. Such an arrangement and gave the name of the city. According to one version, the narrowing of the channel in the language of the Algonquian Indians is called kebek. The future city was laid in the place where the river, on the contrary, expands, and the estuary turns into an estuary. The province, whose capital is Quebec, is bordered by four US states (Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Maine) and three Canadian territories (Newfoundland, Ontario and New Brunswick).

In Quebec, there is an international airport. Jean Lesage, where flights come from major cities of the country, as well as from New York, Chicago, Detroit, Paris. The air gate of Quebec is twenty minutes from the center. You can overcome this distance by taxi. This pleasure is estimated by a fixed amount - thirty-two and a half dollars. Several times a day, the city bus number 78 runs to the airport. The ticket will cost two and a half dollars.

Quebec can be reached by train - from Montreal, Toronto and Windsor. The main bus station is located in the same building as the central railway station. There arrive cars of the companies "Orleans Express" and "Interstar", plying between different cities of Canada. In the summer from Montreal to Quebec goes the ferry. The path along the water will take almost seven hours, but such a trip is already a tourist attraction.

The best time to visit

The province of Quebec is the largest province in Canada. It occupies four climatic zones: arctic, tundra, temperate continental and marine. In the last breath of the Atlantic Ocean softens the summer heat and winter cold. But where the city of Quebec is located, the climate is temperate continental. This means that winters are severe here. Minus fifteen is a common thing for January in Quebec. And in the coldest month - February - the thermometer can drop below forty degrees.

Spring in these places is very short and rainy. Week-another - and the population changes warm boots on sandals. Summer in Quebec is very hot. High humidity (eighty percent) makes the heat unbearable. The best time to visit the city is the so-called Indian Summer. This is September and early October. During this period, which we usually call the women's summer, Québec establishes clear and warm weather, quite comfortable for excursions and leisurely walks around the city. Next is the same as spring, short in duration fall. The first snow falls usually by the end of October. In winter, storms and storms are frequent, accompanied by heavy snowfalls and snowstorms.

History

One of the oldest settlements of Europeans on the North American continent is Quebec (city). Canada was not a state, but a place. Its name was translated from the Indian languages as "villages". And the province of Quebec occupied a narrow strip along the St. Lawrence River, which was processed by the first settlers from France. On July 3, 1608, the city was founded by Samuel de Champlain, who at first wanted to call him Louis, in honor of the king.

Quebec was built not in an empty place, but on an abandoned Iroquois settlement called Stadacona. Therefore, when the city became the capital of the province, the idea of returning to it the old historical name was seriously considered. Samuel de Champlain was his steward until his death. Quebec, the capital city of New France, has become an apple of contention in three major battles. As a result, in 1763 he, together with the whole province, moved to the UK. When the struggle of the States for secession from England began, there was also unrest in Quebec. American revolutionaries attacked the British garrison, but were defeated. Thus, Quebec and its province showed their will not to enter the newly-formed state of the United States. Now these territories are occupied mainly by the French-speaking population.

City of Quebec: where to stay

In this capital of the Canadian province there is no shortage of hotels - from budget hostels to luxury hotels. If you plan to stay in Quebec for a long time, then it is best to look for apartments (residences). In this case, we can recommend Universite Laval. If you rent an apartment in such a residence for more than four weeks, then the day will cost you eleven dollars.

The most budget hotel in Quebec is the Auberge de Juness. Room with kitchenette and breakfast will cost only $ 20. In the Old Town there is a wonderful family hotel "Hotel du Vieux Quebec". The price from 96 to 266 dollars per room is quite acceptable, given that this place is a couple of steps from all the important sights, museums, banks and shops. Not the most expensive, but the most photographed hotel in North America is Le Chateau Frontenac. This hotel, stylized as an ancient castle, rightfully proud of the city of Quebec (Canada). The hotels, whose photos look pretty nice, do not go to any comparison with this picturesque and proud citadel. Frontenac Castle is visible from anywhere in Quebec. It is the oldest hotel in the city. The night in this hotel will cost you three hundred dollars. But, however, the hotel often offers discounts.

How to get around in the city

Local authorities are very much promoting a healthy lifestyle and protecting the environment. Therefore, to move around in the car in the center - the real flour. On the streets is often a one-way traffic. Paving stones and expensive parking lots complement the negative impression of driving. Quebec is a slow city. There are no running crowds, like in New York. Public transport, represented by buses and shuttles, goes infrequently, but clearly on schedule. The ticket costs 2.5 dollars and is valid for two hours after the purchase. You can buy and travel - for one day or for a whole month.

For residents of the city and tourists there is a widely ramified network of bicycle paths. We can say that Quebec is a city of cyclists. At least, from April to October, the number of people clutching the pedals on two-wheeled vehicles of various (sometimes very original) designs, significantly prevails over motorists. In the city, which is a twinning Russian St. Petersburg, are planning to introduce (or rather, resume) tram service. Through the St. Lawrence River, the bridges of Pierre Laporte, Quebec and Orleans are thrown. With the Levi area on the south coast, there is a ferry service.

City of Quebec: attractions

The entire old part of this first settlement of Europeans on the St. Lawrence River was fully included in the UNESCO list. Most tourists are impressed by the European appearance of this city in the New World. It's like traveling to Lyon or Brussels! Maybe, by magic, we were transferred to "old Europe"? But no, it's Canadian Quebec. Photos of the city show that there are many winding, cobblestone streets, beautiful houses, ancient castles.

It is recommended to begin acquaintance with Quebec from Place Royal. On this square in the distant 1608, Samuel de Champlain laid the first stone of the city. Next, you need to hire a horse-drawn carriage to drive through all the important places of the Old City. Then it would be good to drive to Levi by ferry - not to get to the area on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River, but to make panoramic photos of Quebec from the smooth water. Well, now you can get acquainted with the sights of the city closely.

You can not miss the change of guard of honor at the Citadel. It takes place every day at ten in the morning. Guardsmen in amusing fur hats still guard the gates of Saint-Louis and Saint-Jean, leading to the Old City. Even if you are not fortunate enough to be a guest of the Frontenac castle, it is still worthwhile to go up to this hotel on the old Quebec cable car. And, of course, we must not forget about the main sacral constructions of the city. It is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Victoire. Up until the 60s of the 20th century, the province of Quebec was under the great influence of the Roman Church. The city has preserved the buildings of Jesuit monasteries, ursulins and other orders.

Museums

The nuns left a good memory in the hospital for the poor, where they served as nurses. Now the Hotel Diego is turned into a museum. His exposition is devoted to the charity work of Augustines. The clerical past of Quebec is also evidenced by the Ursuline Museum. The National Gallery of Fine Arts stores in its funds paintings of Canadian and European masters of different periods. This museum is worth a visit, especially since the entrance is free. The Citadel can also surprise with its exposition.

About the fact that Quebec (city), Canada and other lands were the abode of indigenous peoples, recalls the Museum of the First Nations. Its exposition is decorated in the style of culture of Indigenous Indians. There is also the Historical Museum of the 400th anniversary of the city and other interesting places. It is worthwhile once again to return to the Royal Square to pay more attention to the huge frescos on one of the houses.

Developments

Every year in early February, hundreds of sculptors come to the Winter Carnival in Quebec. Photo of the city flashes not only in local, but also in international news. Still - after all on Plas Jacque Cartier in Quebec the real palace from ice grows. The whole week the sculptors compete with each other in the skill of carving masterpieces of art from cold shining boulders. And in the winter carnival, there is a bathing in the snow (there are a lot of it in Canada), three parades and a canoe race.

From the middle of July the Festival d'ete starts. It lasts eleven days. But, unlike the winter, the summer festival entrance fee. To listen to musicians of the first magnitude, gathered from all over the world in Quebec, you need to spend forty-five dollars. Ticket in the form of an icon is valid for all eleven days. All summer from Thursday to Sunday on the streets of Quebec you can participate in the Edwin-Belanger Bandstand Festival. Jazz and blues sound all these days. In the first weekend of August, the festival "New France" starts. Obscure nostalgia residents dress in the old costumes of those times and hold parades. At the end of August, an international competition of military orchestras is held.

What to try

Do not think that the kitchen of this part of Canada is a complete copy of French. Yes, the city of Quebec (reviews of tourists repeatedly mention this) is famous for its cheeses. Thanks to the Canadian climate, local camembert and brie are more characteristic. These cheeses are considered the best in all of North America. And, of course, you need to try traditional French pancakes in some kind of crepe. But Quebec is able to surprise the gourmet and exotic. In the restaurant "At Old Canadians" you can try amazing dishes from deer-wapiti, caribou and buffalo. If you come to this institution before six in the evening, you can order a complex dinner in Canadian style for twenty-five dollars.

To learn seafood, huge lobsters and melt fillet melting in your mouth follows in "Le Continental". Fine French wines will be accompanied by fine wines and cozy stylish furnishings. If you want to taste traditional Canadian dishes, order in any restaurant of the city a meat pie "Quebecus tartier" or fried potatoes with cheese with "Putin" sauce. For the eastern exotic, you should go to the restaurants "Eliz Mandarin" and "Samurai". In these establishments the main course will cost about ten dollars.

What to bring

Of course, in terms of shopping, the city of Quebec in Canada is inferior to Toronto, with its underground Guateme shopping center "Rath", which entered the Guinness Book. But he is also full of branded clothes and shoes. It will also be advantageous to buy electronics and household appliances. But if you want to take home the memory of the hospitable Canada, get a delicious maple syrup. He is made only here and nowhere else in the world. Also a jar of blueberries will be a good souvenir. Ice wine - another "chip" of Canada. Raw materials are collected in the winter already thoroughly frozen. The drink turns tart, sweet and slightly viscous.

For esotericists will be interesting crafts for Indians. In particular, "dream catchers" will protect the owner from nightmares. If you are lucky enough to visit Canada on Christmas Day, buy a bottle of Egg Nog. This drink is made from rum, ale, wine, sugar, spices and eggs. Do not forget that all Canadians are proud of their hockey team. Any attributes associated with this sport are welcome. The symbol of the country is the beaver. Fur animal figurines will also remind you of a visit to Canada.