We have been all over quebec City and it was great! There is such an incredible amount of history here. We took a bus tour around Old Quebec and learned about its history as a fortification for the French. Quebec means where the river narrows and the city is located on the narrowest point of the St. Lawrence River. This meant that the French could control the main waterways into Canada. Their cannon could easily sink ships attempting to cross into Quebec.
This didn't mean the French would hold onto the area indefinitely. The English came and decided that they wanted the territory as well. The English camped outside of Quebec city near the Ile d'Orleans. An island outside of Quebec City, which was given to seigneurs (landlords) for farming. The British over the intervening months prior to the battle on the Plains of Abraham starved out the French before the furious 20 minute battle. The leaders Montcalm and Wolfe both died on the battlefield.
Coincidentally, the battlefield is a 2 minute walk from our B&B. During the years it was used for military exercises, became a golf course,and finally a memorial park.
We visited Beaupre (nice field in English). Along the way we stopped at Montmercy Falls, which is taller than Niagra Falls. I got as close as I could but Sharon became the main photographer for that portion of the trip. The falls are quite incredible and there is a huge snow mound which you can actually walk onto.
In Beaupre itself we went to Chez Marie. Its a bakery housed in a 300 year old home which you can get some delicious maple butter. Also most people who live in the area farm and tap the maple trees for sap.
From Beaupre we visited Albert Gilles Musee de Cuivre (Copper Museum). In this place, we saw some amazing artwork being created by the Gilles family. The Gilles family is responsible for a lot of the copper, gold,and silver work done at the Basilica de Ste. Anne.
This church looks like it could have come right from France complete with courtyard. It is a beautiful building and well worth a visit if you appreciate this kind of history.
We went to Ile de Orleans and went on a short tour therre to see the old farms which have been running since the founding of Quebec. Now it is more for larger estates but the island is still mainly used for farming..
Sharon and I were able to meet up with an old family friend. She took us out to dinner at a little restaurant called Rouge et Blanc which allows you to bring your own wine for dinner. It was a fantastic meal and we muddled our way through the conversation between French and English. Andree was great and I tried to use as much French as I could to make myself understood to her partner Denys. They were nice enough to give us a tour of Old Quebec at night and gave us some maple butter and coronets.
By the way if you are nice enough, I'll share some with you.
Till next time...
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