A Rendezvous with Quebec City, Canada

Having lived all my life in a bustling city like Delhi, Canada came as a breath of freshness. Forests, Great Lakes and absence of dust and pollution set it apart from other countries of North America. However, as far as Canada’s beauty goes, Quebec City has to be one of the most visually stunning of all!

It is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and the only North American city to have fortified walls north of Mexico. The first impression one gets is that of a picture postcard Victorian city and therefore, it comes as no surprise that UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Treasure. The city has a certain vintage European charm about it mainly due to its rich history, gorgeous buildings, warm locals, horse drawn carriages, open air art galleries and cozy cafes and restaurants. Although it is formally known as Quebec City, locals merely refer to it as ‘Quebec’ – probably as an honor that before anything else, the fortified city walls stand strong, even today.

The best way to enjoy Quebec is to put on a comfortable pair of shoes and walk around everywhere, especially the Old Town. There are many attractions on the street itself – singers, street entertainers, horse- drawn carriages, art galleries – exhibiting the rich and vibrant culture that is alive even today. The locals are warm and friendly, always ready for a chat over a drink. Musicians and dancers on the streets would just grab people’s hands and drag them in their performances. One can discover how Quebec’s defense developed under the French and English Regimes on a walk in the Old Town along the fortified walls. There is a boardwalk alongside the Lawrence River that lets you enjoy the cool river breeze. The city also has a number of museums, quaint shops and market stands selling fresh and locally produced goods like jams, maple syrup, wines, etc. Overall, the city is a gorgeous spot for photographers, history lovers and people who are looking for a break from the monotonous city life.

I visited Quebec in the month of July when the weather was extremely pleasant with warm afternoons and a cool breeze at night. I spent all my days walking around the city, especially the Old Town which had several pleasantly old fashioned, narrow lanes. Walking along the city walls was not just beautiful but gave me an insight on how things must have been in the past. The way you tell a story matters, especially when it’s something as intense as colonialism and Quebec has done a pretty good job. One of the world’s largest urban parks is also located here – Plains of Abraham, which is a great place for hanging out with friends and family. Picnicking, cycling, walking and cross country skiing are common activities here in the evenings or on weekends. Music lovers would be interested to know that in 2008, Paul McCartney and Celine Dion performed in these very grounds on Quebec City’s 400th anniversary!

One of the best things I had was a French dish called Crepes, in a snug restaurant called Le Billig Creperie which is about 20mins walk from the Old Town. They serve possibly the most authentic and best crepes topped with chocolate, salted caramel, maple syrup, scallop, ham, etc! I tried the ‘Ecstasy Crepe with Dark Chocolate’ and that was nothing less than a heavenly moment for me. However, crepes are not their only specialty. The menu on the walls boasts of other interesting items like Lobster Cakes, Duck Confit and a large selection of wine. One should also try the craft beer that Quebec City makes which is also considered the best in Canada. One such beer with a very innovative name is ‘La Fin du Monde’ which literally translates to ‘The End of the World’! A day later, I tried crepes in one of the restaurants along the boardwalk which was a little cheaper than the one at Le Billig and even though it wasn’t as good as the one I had on the previous day, it was quite fulfilling!

There are many attractions around Quebec City as well such as the Montmorency Falls, which is, in my opinion, as beautiful and grand as the Niagara Falls.

Overall, I think the mix of European and American culture in Quebec had a unique charm about it which makes it one of the best places to visit in North America.