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| Plains of Abraham Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages |
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Given that Vieux Quebec, both Haute and Basse Villes, lies within a onesquare-mile (2.5 sq.-km) radius, and most of its streets are narrow cobblestoned alleys, the best way to explore the city is on foot or by caleche. Most definitely, the first place to begin the Quebec City discovery tour is at the Plains of Abraham, which so define Canada's past and present.
Tranquil as the Parc de Champs-deBataille (Battlefields Park) surroundings may be today, it is the site of that famous Wolfe/Montcalm skirmish that delivered New France into England's hands. The rest, as they say, is history - commemorated through plaques, monuments, artillery pieces, Martello towers (now interpretation centers of the Park's 400-year history) spread over 250 acres of woodlands and gardens. Contrary to popular myth, Quebec was not "conquered" in the truest sense. The 20-minute battle was but one military victory in a larger war between France and England for control of this part of the New World. Under the 1763 Treaty of Paris peace settlement, France ceded French Canada once and for all to British rule. "Je me souviens" on the Quebec license plates is a stern admonition to the rest of Canada and the world that French Quebec will never forget or forgive the humiliation suffered on a windswept plain over 200 years ago. Montcalm and Wolfe are captured in wax at the Musee Historique de Cire on rue Ste-Anne; and the Muse des Ursulines on rue Donacona is the final resting place of General Montcalm's mortal remains.The attached cloister Monastre des Ursulines was founded in 1639 and was used as a school for young French and native girls.
Near the Wolfe Monument in Battlefield Park is the recently expanded Musee du Quebec. It is now comprised of two of Quebec City's well-known landmarks: the original building, renamed the Gerard-Morisset Pavilion in honor of a former director and Quebec art pioneer; and the Baillairge Pavilion, the former Quebec Prison, designed by one of the province's foremost architects, Charles Baillairge. Two highlights specifically recall the prison's history: the former prison tower features a two-storey permanent installation by Montreal artist David Moore and an original cell block has been preserved. The skylit Great Hall now connects these two buildings. Here, exhibitions, performances, music, conferences, shows and movies are part of the year-round cultural activities. Since it first opened in 1933, the Musee du Quebec has been the showcase for four centuries of art by Quebec artists, promoting the careers of some of the most famous "Canadian" artists - Clarence Gagnon, Alfred Pellan, Jean-Paul Riopelle, JeanPaul Lemieux and Paul-Emile Borduas, among others. Its permanent collection comprises nearly 15,000 works of art dating from the 17th century to the present.
Nearby and not to be missed is the 172year-old Citadelle, which earned Quebec City its nickname, "Gibralter of America" from Sir Winston Churchill during a wartime conference here in the 1940s. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, the city played an instrumental role in defending all of northeastern America.
This massive fortress took 30 years to build, comprises 25 buildings and is still an army stronghold - for the Royal 22e Van Doos Regiment. Among its attractions are the Governor-General's residence, officers' mess, the 1863 Cap Diamant redoubt and the Royal 22nd Regiment Museum located in a 1750 powderhouse. The daily ritual of cannon fire, the tattoo and changing of the guard are among the more pleasant reminders of military life in Vieux Quebec.
Panoramic Promenade
What hasn't changed in four centuries is the breathtaking view of the mighty St. Lawrence River, whether seen from the Citadel le - atop the city's highest point or anywhere else along Cap Diamant. Three equally popular vantage points are the Earl Grey Terrace and the Dufferin Terrace along with the famous Promenade des Gouverneurs boardwalk overlooking the cliff from Battlefields Park to Champlain's Monument in Place d'Armes.
In its path is Canada's best-known hotel Chateau Frontenac. The flagship of the Canadian Pacific Hotel chain, this green-turreted "castle" with its sloping copper roof was built in 1893 on the site of New France's one-time military headquarters, the 1620 Chateau St-Louis, which was later replaced in 1784 by the Chateau Haldimand. Named after the Comte de Frontenac, who governed the French colony from 1672-1698, it is still one of the world's preeminent luxury hotels. During the past century, it has welcomed numerous heads of state. It was designed by New York architect Bruce Price, one of the most celebrated practitioners of the chateau-style popular during the era. Notable among its public rooms is the 700-seat ballroom, inspired by Versailles' Hall of Mirrors. (Price's signature also marks the city's Gare du Palais train station and Montreal's equally magnificent Gare Windsor train station.)
Nearby Place d'Armes, the town's most central square, has long been the place for public parades and military events and is identifiable by the 19th-century government buildings lining its perimeter. The majestic 1887 Ancien Palais de Justice, which replaced the earlier 1650 courthouse nearby, stands on land originally occupied by the church and convent of the Recollet missionary founded by Franciscan monks, the first order of priests to arrive in New France in 1615. Today, a Gothic fountain in the square's center is a memorial to their holy mission.
Not far from Place d'Armes is rue du Tresor, a picturesque alley known far and wide as an open-air "gallery" where Quebec City artists and artisans sell their wares. Perfect for browsing, visitors can pick up arts and crafts for considerably less than they cost elsewhere. On-thespot family portraits are a highlight.
Right in the heart of this area is the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral on rue des Jardins, established in 1804 as the first Anglican cathedral outside of the British Isles. The present cathedral was built by order of King George III, on the site of the original 1681 church and monastery owned by the Recollet fathers who had made it available to Anglicans for their church services when Quebec later came under British rule. Holy Trinity still observes the royal edict that the north balcony be set aside for the exclusive use of members of the British Royal Family and their representatives.
A short stroll away, along the broad elegant boulevard named Grande Allee that is the city's main artery, sits the 18th century Assemblee Nationale Hotel du Parlement (National Assembly Parliament) buildings, the seat of Quebec's provincial government. Open to the public, with guided tours in English and French, the Hotel du Parlement buildings were designed by Quebec architect Etienne Tache in the late 17th-century Baroque style of Louis XIV and erected between 1877-1884. Four wings are set in a square around an interior courtyard. Statues in front pay tribute to founding fathers Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain, governor Comte de Frontenac and valiant generals Wolfe and Montcalm.
Facing it is the venerable Chateau Laurier hotel. Smaller in scale than the city's more modern hotel towers, it is a charmingly comfortable and affordable. The Grande Allee is often referred to as Quebec City's "Champs Elysees" because of the great trees, majestic public buildings and monuments, and proliferation of cafes, bistros, clubs and restaurants. It leads to Place Montcalm and the Montcalm Monument.
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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.
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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. |
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| Full Service Plains of Abraham Vacation Planner |
| Click here to start planning a great Canadian vacation, tour or cruise with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to.Thank you very much! Call 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your Plains of Abraham vacation. | |
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During this time of price volatility in the Plains of Abraham 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 Plains of Abraham 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.
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