Quebec City walking tour of the old downtown - Gorgeous City

Saint-Jean Street

This morning we head out on foot to make a loop through the old city. There are a few things we want to see, but largely it is just a meander up and down the hills to experience this grand, old city. 

St. John Gate

We head to St. John Gate and climb the stairs up to the top of the stone gate where we can then walk the ramparts along the old fortifications. 

Stairs up to the ramparts

British 18th century cannons

The Parliament Buildings

Next we come to the Parliament Buildings and 'La Fontaine De Tourny' (Tourny Fountain). 

The Parliament Building has 26 bronze statues honouring founders, explorers and military figures who shaped the nation. Jacques Cartier (First contact explorer) and Samuel de Champlain (Founder of Quebec City) are up there.

The fountain was the winner of the gold medal at the Paris World Fair in 1855. It was presented to the City of Quebec as a gift. 

La Fontaine De Tourny

Old buildings of Quebec City

Fleur-de-lis art in the walkway

Cafe au Lait in the sun

We find a coffee shop in the sun and enjoy a 'Cafe au Lait' - even though I don't drink coffee, it tastes amazing. 

Joan of Arc statue

More meandering brings us to the 'Joan of Arc' gardens. We biked through these last evening and marvelled at the flowers and the whole arrangement, but today the gardens are being transformed into a festive 'Halloween Garden' as part of 'Halloween on the Plains of Abraham' event.

Gardens in full bloom

Jack-O-Lantern

Workers are installing 16 colourful art works that bring local and regional folklore to life. Spooky decorations and tombstones will bring the park to life at nightfall. Unfortunately we won't see it, but we get to see what's going on. 

Story behind the Eve of All Saints Day 

Floral Plains of Abraham monument

Pushing on to the Plains of Abraham and the museum we are shocked to read the cannons outside the museum are actually captured pieces of enemy equipment known as 'Trophies of War'. These artillery guns were captured from the German army in the first world war. 

Artillery Trophies of War

Arch entrance to the Citadel

Last night we biked around the Citadel, but today we walk inside for a quick look. Known as the 'Gibraltar of the Americas', it is the largest fortress of its kind in North America. 

Walls of fortification

Picture of a picture - star shaped fortress

The British built the current star-shaped stone fortress with four major bastions between 1820 and 1831 to protect against potential American attacks. 

Changing of the guards

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Views of lower Quebec City

We keep meandering the streets on the way down the hill into lower Quebec City. 

Samuel de Champlain statue

Basilica ceiling 

Finally we come to the Notre-Dame Basilica Cathedral in search of the grave site of Claude Salois,(died June 2nd, 1709) my French relative from Ile d'Orleans. From 1654 to 1898 it was a common custom to bury people directly inside the church walls. More than 900 people were laid to rest inside the physical footprint of the cathedral. In a 1923 reconstruction, the area was formally arranged into a singular large crypt and this is where Claude lies today. Unfortunately, we are unable to access the crypt without a special appointment. This is where the search for family ends :)

Crypt at the Basilica Cathedral

Cajun-Quebecois bistro

We head back to the trailer for a few hours before heading out to dinner. Though the hope was to have French Cassoulet at Bistro St. Malo, they were fully booked, so we walk about and stumble onto the 'Cajun Courtbouillon' restaurant. They have no tables but we opt to sit at the bar. What a fantastic treat it all turns out to be. 

Tapas-style tasting menu

We opt for the multi-course tasting menu, which is about 10 tapas-style dishes served across three successive flights. It blends classic Louisiana Cajun flavours with local Quebecois ingredients. From PEI mussels in pesto sauce to blue cheese chicken and steak tartar...it is such an incredible, fun meal. 

Over the course of the evening we meet a local named, 'Benoit', sitting beside Chris as well as 'Lisa and Kerry' from Kelowna. Wonderful people to share our evening with. 

Late birthday dessert :)

That is a wrap on Quebec City. We are leaving in the morning. Quebec City has been such a great addition to the cross Canada trip. We really want to come back again :)