Vacation in Quebec — Day 4

Our fourth day was also one of our busiest, since it was our first chance to get inside the heart of Quebec City.


As much as it poured the day before, the weather on our fourth day was clear and sunny, as can be seen from our hotel window. (09/27/05)


We entered the walled city through the rue Dauphine gate. Just going through this arch was like going back in time 250 years. (09/27/05)


It was a feast of the senses walking through the narrow streets, among the centuries old stone buildings. (09/27/05)


This is Maison Maillou, which once housed the colony's treasury. Built in 1736, and expanded in 1753, the building typefies the architecture of New France, complete with iron shutters. Today it's the home of the city's Chamber of Commerce. (09/27/05)


This is the Fairmont Chateau de Frontenac hotel, Quebec City's most recognizable landmark. Built in 1892-1893, and expanded again in the 1920s, the hotel is an excellent example of the chateau-style hotels built by Canada's railway companies. (09/27/05)


Inside the Chateau we stopped inside an upscale liquor store that had some amazing (and expensive) finds, like these bottles of 1963 vintage port for only $675 Canadian, plus 15% tax. (09/27/05)


Another view of the Chateau from underneath a prominent statue of Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer who founded Quebec City in 1608. Of the 25 settlers he brought into the city, only 8 survived the first winter. (09/27/05)


We took a guided tour of the Chateau de Frontenac, which included a visit to one of the many executive suites named after the famous guests that at one time occupied them. Here Doris and Jenn listen to our tour guide from inside the Trudeau-Carter Suite named after former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and former President Jimmy Carter, who didn't actually occupy the suite at the same time. :) (09/27/05)


After an exhausting hike up 300+ stairs, we found ourselves on the Plains of Abraham, site of the definitive battle between the French and the English in 1759. If the French had won the battle, Canada — and arguably, the United States — might have been French-speaking nations. To see the actual picture Tim was taking, click the photo above. (09/27/05)


This is the Parliament Building in Quebec. Erected between 1877 and 1884, this structure is the seat of 125 provincial representatives. This was right next to our hotel too! (09/27/05)


After resting back at the hotel for a while, we headed out for dinner on the town. This time it was at a nice little restaurant called Le Hobbit, which was near the oldest grocery store in North America that we shopped at the day prior. (09/27/05)