Québec - Speaking French in Canada

Last week, DH and I had the opportunity to spend a rare few days alone together, so after dropping the kids off at their residential summer camp, we took to the road and headed north for Québec.

 Quebec's most impressive hotel, and iconic landmark, le Château Frontenac.

The Château being somewhat out of our price range, we stayed in a hotel in the Sainte-Foy district of greater Québec and for $89 US per night, had a comfortable, spacious room on the ground floor in a quiet part of the hotel.  Free internet, convenient parking and a heated outdoor pool made it all the more pleasant. We arrived late Monday afternoon and after checking in, we drove from Sainte-Foy to Vieux Québec. 

I really had no idea of what to expect, although I'd seen some photos, and Googled a street-view of the area, but it was still somewhat unknown.  We managed to find a parking space nearby a restaurant-pub, "le D'Orsay", where we had dinner.  We got a table near an open window so the evening breeze came in together with the sounds of the street entertainers and the crowds of people watching them across the way.

After a delicious meal we walked up the rue du trésor, otherwise known as "artists' alley", where I lusted over the etchings, watercolours, acrylics and oils that were on sale. Many of them showed the sights of old Québec, particularly depicting them across the four seasons.

The architecture of the old city lends itself to some wonderful artistic renderings and all the works reflected the colours of the city at its vibrant best.

Alongside the Anglican church at the top of the alley there were more artists and sales of pottery, jewellery and sculptures.  We then walked towards the Château and the statue of Samuel de Champlain and past the crowds watching the entertainment to get a view of the St. Lawrence River.

We walked along the "Promenade des Gouverneurs", or Governors Walk, which is a boardwalk along the top of the cliff with expansive views of the river.

End of Day One.