Haute Ville Vacations and Historical Tours of Old Quebec Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages
Vieux Quebec (Old Quebec), the worldfamous historic area of Quebec City, was originally divided into two distinct towns - the Haute Ville (Upper Town) and the Basse Ville (Lower Town), separated by a 350-foot cliff, Cap Diamant. The more famous of Vieux Quebec's two areas is the walled Haute Ville established in 1620 by Samuel de Champlain as Fort St-Louis. But the Basse Vine, which he first founded in 1608, was the site of New France's first permanent settlement and quickly became its commercial center.
Gentry and clergy originally lived there, moving some years later to the newer fortified Haute Ville at the summit of Cap Diamant out of range, they thought, of England's Royal Navy guns. From 1663 to 1759, when the English general Wolfe defeated the French under Montcalm, the population of New France grew and the fur trade, the mainstay of commerce, prospered. From this base, French explorers traveled as far south as the Gulf of Mexico and as far west as the Rockies, claiming these vast territories for France and bestowing French names on more than 4000 places throughout North America.
Fearing that the French might try to recapture their city, the British extended the walled city's perimeters. A tour will take you to the original bastions, towers and gates of the old fortifications. The ancient cannons still point at the St. Lawrence River.
In 1832, construction of the massive star-shaped Citadelle which still dominates Cap Diamant, was completed. They were right to be concerned, though the enemy was not ultimately the French, but rather the American army in 1775 and again in 1812. Both attempts failed.
As it does today, Quebec City has always played a prominent role in Canada's national agenda throughout its history and that regardless of who, ultimately, ruled it under whatever flag. The Constitution Act of 1791 made it the national capital of Lower Canada, a role it retained until the 1840 Act of Union conferred this status on Montreal. In 1867, through the British North America Act formally designating Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia as provinces in the "new" country of Canada, Quebec City became the provincial capital and the last political bastion of French culture on North American soil. What it gained in political terms, it lost, however, in economic terms, as the center of Eastern Canada's commerce shifted to Montreal and later Toronto.
Note: The hotel and resort prices listed in this guide are published fares - we often have specials at substantially lower rates. Please use our "Vacation Planner" and our agents will tell you about all available specials.
We are a member of Virtuoso - Specialists in the Art of Travel. Described by Conde Nast Traveler as "a network of the finest agencies...a reliable indicator of experience, knowledge, and industry clout." We are recommended by the Discovery Travel Channel, the Today Show, Conde Nast Traveler, ESPN TV, Fine Living TV, and Neiman Marcus Awards Program .
During this time of price volatility in the travel and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until you make a deposit.
Search Our Haute Ville Vacations and Historical Tours of Old Quebec Vacations
Luxury Tours, Adventure Vacations , Honeymoons, Family Vacations
During this time of price volatility in the Haute Ville Vacations and Historical Tours of Old Quebec vacations, travel, tour and cruise industry, please be advised the pricing can fluctuate within the same day. All of our promotions are subject to change without notice. As a result, prices will not be guaranteed until booked.
Disclaimer: We've worked hard to make all the Haute Ville Vacations and Historical Tours of Old Quebec vacations, cruise and travel packages information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
We are a member of Virtuoso - Specialists in the Art of Travel. Described by Conde Nast Traveler as "a network of the finest agencies...a reliable indicator of experience, knowledge, and industry clout." We are recommended by the Discovery Travel Channel, the Today Show, Conde Nast Traveler, ESPN TV, Fine Living TV, and Neiman Marcus Awards Program .
