Friday, October 25, 2024

We flew into Quebec City today, leaving home at 4am, with a layover in Toronto (where it was raining) and arriving here just before 5pm.

Québec City was founded on July 3, 1608 by the French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, in what was then the Territory of New France. The name Québec comes from an Algonquin word meaning “where the river narrows.” From 1534 to 1763, Québec province was a territory of France, until being taken over by Britain following the Seven Years War.

Although Québec’s official language is French, most residents also speak English. The province has pressed for independence from Canada for decades, although the drive seems to be waning, especially among younger Québecois. Members of the Québec sovereignty movement want their own independent constitution, and they believe sovereignty would allow them to better promote its development, economic, social, ecological and cultural. Besides language, religion differentiates Québec Province from the rest of Canada, with Roman Catholicism being predominant in Québec, and Protestantism in the rest of the country. Of course, this has been changing as well, with more people eschewing religious identity, and with growth in non-Christian religions.

We are staying at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac inside the City Walls of Old Québec. Although we aren’t staying here long, we did venture out on to the streets of Old Québec, a city that dates back over 400 years. This area truly reminds us of many of the towns we’ve visited in Europe. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

We walked down to the river, where we were able to see our cruise ship, which had arrived earlier today. As we were walking, we came across a carnival just a couple of blocks from the hotel: Étrange Carnaval, a Halloween event with an old fair atmosphere directed toward families. There were games and activities kiosks lined up and down a couple of streets by Holy Trinity Cathedral. Lights and music dominated the scene. Tonight’s theme was dance with Port-O-Swing, where attendees were being coached in different dance movements.

We returned to the hotel for an amazing dinner. Mark enjoyed his Wagyu beef, while I tried the small tasting menu – pan seared tuna, halibut, venison and squash dessert. Everything was delicious and tender, with truly impressive service by the staff.