Québec


Quebec City’s Most Beautiful Districts
Quebec City comprises a number of chic neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character. When out for a stroll in the Old City, let your whims and strikes of fancy decide where your feet will take you. And because each charming neighbourhood has another hidden inside it, here are a few suggestions for things you may want to add to your agenda: take a walk in a romantic grove of century-old trees, admire the flowers in a beautiful urban garden, go shopping in the many fashionable boutiques, practice an outdoor sport or enjoy a getaway in Old Quebec .


Ready-to-wear Fashions
In Old Quebec, ready-to-wear fashion retailers are doing quite well, thank you. Across the street from the Clarendon, you can visit a number of shops selling designer label clothing that run from côte de la Fabrique to the Saint-Jean Gate like a string of pearls. One of the shops you absolutely have to visit is la Maison Simons, a veritable Quebec City institution since 1840. This famous Old Quebec store features a wide selection of clothing and accessories from its collections in authentic period decor. A little farther away on rue Saint-Jean, you will find a number of boutiques presenting the collections of the biggest names in modern fashion. And since beauty attracts beauty, several shops specializing in beauty products and fashion accessories have opened their doors nearby.

Quebec City is est recognized for being fashionable and chic. And it all begins in the heart of Old Quebec, only a short walk from the hotel. How long do you think you can resist the temptation of such great shopping opportunities ?


Place-Royale
Place-Royale is a very popular district that can be seen during a cruise on the St. Lawrence. The buildings in this part of town have stone façades, elegant, coloured rooftops and massive chimneys that seem to add height to Cap Diamant. As if Quebec City weren’t dapper enough already! Place-Royale is also frequently seen in the movies, as it used as the setting for films requiring an authentic French cachet.

For two thousand years before the arrival of the Europeans in North America, Aboriginal people gathered here to trade and fish. Archeological digs in the area, considered to be the cradle of French civilization in North America, have unearthed a wealth of artefacts. Place-Royale was the main centre of trade in Quebec City for over three hundred years. Its restored century-old homes were built right at the foot of the cliff. Nestled between the bustling Petit-Champlain district and the Old Port, Place-Royale is worth a visit. After your walk through the public square, where you will see a bust of Louis XIV located in front of the small Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, stroll through the charming streets and stop at one of the many sidewalk cafés for a bite to eat.


Old-Port
Some of the antique dealers in the Old Port have been here since the district, which at one time had been somewhat rundown, was seeking to be reborn, or at the very least survive. But the launch of the trans-Atlantic boat race from Quebec City to Saint-Malo, France, and the rehabilitation of the St. Lawrence River in an effort to transform it into a popular tourist destination have restored the Old Port to its former glory.

But more was needed than simply a number of antique dealers and wharves to breathe new life into this neighbourhood, once Quebec City’s business and banking hub. Converting monumental-style and industrial buildings into condominiums encouraged people to move back to the Old Port district and be close to the St. Lawrence, the river that is so dear to Quebec City residents. The Musée de la civilisation, one of Quebec City’s most beloved museums, has been located in the area for over 15 years. The boutiques, bistros and well-known restaurants are open year-round.

Take a stroll along the Old Port’s wharves to breathe in the fresh sea air. Don’t jump when you hear the booming sound of a foghorn of a passing cargo ship! Quebec City is also a port of call to dozens of some of the most prestigious cruise ships in the world, including the Queen Mary II. The hundreds of disembarking passengers then set out to explore Quebec City and make countless delightful discoveries!

Visit the Old Port for a change of scenery and gaze upon the rich, deep blue waters of the St. Lawrence River. This gateway to the “New World” will transport your imagination to a faraway time when no metal-hulled ships plied its waters. The forlorn cry of a sea bird will snap you out of your reverie and you will continue on your way, pondering the many wonders of this majestic river…


Parliament Hill

The Second Empire architecture of the Parliament Building is similar to that of the Louvre in Paris. Apart from that, however, these two buildings have little else in common. The buildings surrounding seat of the provincial government comprise a range of architectural styles: Victorian houses, the Drill Hall in château-style and various modern buildings.

This is undoubtedly the reason this district has retained its special charm and appeals to tourists and local residents alike. Parliament Hill underwent major renovations recently: cascades, flower beds, tree-lined walkways and sidewalks added to its already great beauty. A sight Quebec City can be proud of! When darkness falls, a series of lights illuminates the Parliament’s ornamental façade. A stroll in front of the Parliament Building is worth the trip at any time of the day or night.


Observatoire de la Capitale
Located on the 31st floor of the tallest, though not necessarily the most beloved, skyscraper in Quebec City, the Observatoire de la Capitale offers a superb panoramic view of the Greater Quebec Area from over 200 m (660 feet) in the air. The perfect opportunity to see where the different Quebec City neighbourhoods lie in relation to one another—usually they are seen piecemeal as you walk through the city. Such a breathtaking view somewhat makes up for the cluttering of the Quebec City skyline by the building housing the city’s highest observatory!


Grande-Allée
Walking down Grande Allée in trendy clothes is a rite of passage for hip young people in Quebec City. Lined with elegant Victorian homes that have been transformed into restaurants, sidewalk cafés and night clubs, Grande Allée is a street where you go to see and be seen. So put on your best party clothes and head out for some fun, like many young (and not-so-young) people do every weekend! After all, Quebec City loves to see you with your nicest shirt, perfect makeup and latest hairstyle.


Montcalm
It is not easy to find an apartment for lease in the Montcalm district these days. Professionals and the well-to-do enjoy the pace of life here, away from the bustle of Old Quebec. You can find everything on rue Cartier, the hippest street in this part of town: bars, restaurants with something for every taste, sidewalk cafés and high-end caterers. See what the bookstores and fine stationery shops have to offer, leaf through your favourite magazines, pick out a few items to spruce up your home at the boutiques specializing in interior decoration and conclude your visit to Cartier with delicious Italian ice cream or some French fries served in a paper cone.


Faubourg Saint-Jean-Baptiste, District for the “Free Spirits”
Used book stores, second-hand clothing shops, trendy boutiques and jewellery stores appeal to the young and hip urban market. Restaurants, bars and café-bistros are on hand to fill cater to the needs of Quebec City’s young clientele with refined palates.

Some of the bars and restaurants in the Faubourg take advantage of their magnificent inner courtyards by transforming them into patios where clients can savour their meals or enjoy a drink until late at night. But you should keep your eyes peeled for these garden terraces, as they are not always advertised nor obvious. Sometimes people like to keep these marvellous little treasures secret…


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