Sitting high on a cliff above the St. Lawrence River, North America's oldest French-
speaking city is a joy to explore, with its picturesque old streets and buildings.
City guide QUEBEC CITY
The capital of French Canada, Quebec City is
famous for its centuries of colonial history. Yet
with its charming, UNESCO-listed old town,
the city has a youthful, vibrant flavour which
can be experienced in its streets, artisan cafés
and restaurants. The Old Town's centrepiece,
the magnificent Château Frontenac, seems
transported from the palatial landscapes of
the Loire Valley, and its French-accented
cobblestone streets lead past white-stone
buildings that evoke old-world medieval
villages. The only remaining walled city in
North America outside of Mexico, Quebec City
was fortified in the 17th century soon after its
founding in 1608. Its strategic setting on the
rocky promontory of Cape Diamond gave
troops a close view of the St. Lawrence River.
MUST-SEES
Old Quebec has an upper and lower town; the
latter is more picturesque and ideal for a
gentle stroll, where you are likely to be
seduced by an array of shops. In the heart of
Lower Town, see Place Royale, its stone
buildings once home to wealthy merchants,
and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, North
America's oldest Catholic church. Take a short
funicular ride to Upper Town, passing notable
sights such as Dufferin Terrace, where Samuel
de Champlain built his fort in 1620. Then, visit
the elegant Château Frontenac, a historic
castle-like building perched dramatically atop
a hill overlooking the river. The building was
opened in 1893 and is reputedly the world's
most photographed hotel. If time permits,
step inside for a drink and admire its turrets,
C I T Y G U I D E
47 | Viking Explorer Society News
Quebec City
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