The Upper Town

Is still surrounded by the fortification stone wall and is on a
cliff.  Dominating this part of town is the Chateau Frontenac
and is worth a visit.  Along the Terrasse Dufferine, a boardwalk,
is the best place to sit and have an ice cream and enjoy
gazing at the St. Lawrence River.  At the end of the boardwalk
there are a set of stairs that will lead you to the Citadelle. It's
a star-shaped fortress and if you are lucky you'll see the
changing of the guard ceremony.  When you are approaching
the boardwalk there's a large statue of Samuel de Champlain
(founder of Quebec in 1608) and a few feet away was Place D'
Armes with the statue of St. Joan of Arc. This area looked so
beautiful with the statues, flowers and their blue/white City flag that
were everywhere you looked.  There was always something
going on here .. musicians playing music from the 50's to the
present day songs, jugglers, singers (a couple was especially
good singing French ballads), magicians and even a dog act! ;-)

The city has a definite European look with it's cobblestone
streets, stone cottages and aged churches.  We toured the
area first by bus to get the feel of the city and then by foot!

We strolled the cobblestone streets and passed numerous
restaurants (most had outdoor seating) and shops.  We visited
the Ursulines Museum, which showed the original settings of
religious life and teaching from 1639.  There were many artifacts
of everyday life, teaching materials and instruments.  Here was
founded the first girls school in North America. We went into
the Church of Notre Dame des Victoires.  The high altar is
breathtaking with sculptures of the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph
on either side.  Oddly, there's a miniature vessel suspended in
the Cathedral.  It was first put there by Marquis de Trace who
arrived in Canada in 1664.  Then there's a sound and light show
at the Musee du Font, reenacting the city's military history.
 

We took a ride beyond the walls of the Upper town
in a horse drawn carriage and had a charming and knowledgeable
Canadian woman as our driver.  Along with pointing out interesting
sights, she told me her adventures as a purser on a number of
cruise lines she worked for.  The woman was amazing!!  We
enjoyed seeing the late 1800's Victorian mansions and (Grande Allee)
is considered to be a smaller version of the Champs Elysees in Paris.
There were many cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and modern
hotels.  We passed the Parliament, City Hall and the Parc des Champs
de Bataille, where the famous Plains of Abraham is located.  This is
where the British defeated the French in 1759. (Abraham was a
Scottish farmer who once owed the land!)  Across from the Park
there were lavish homes that our "driver" told us was in the $350,000
price range.  This carriage ride was one of the most enjoyable
remembrances of Quebec City.
 

We went to a 3D sound and image show, "Quebec Experience"
on the history of Quebec.  Also, in the same building we went
to see a miniature ancient Christmas village.  It was amazing
that they had all the landmarks, etc. of Quebec City displayed
how it was years ago.  (well worth the admission price)

Two restaurants we were impressed with for dinner was
the Le Continental, St.-Louis, opened in 1956 by four men from
a town near Venice, Italy.  The menu has a wide assortment
of meat and seafood and offers genuine European style service.
(most dishes are served from side tables right next to your table)
The next was Gambrinus Restaurant, 15 rue du Fort, offering
Italian and French cuisine.  The restaurant had stone walls with
old fashioned moldings, lots of green plants and soft lighting
that gave a very warm atmosphere to the room.  Service was
excellent and they had a musician playing during dinner.
 

Before closing, I would like to add a
short description of the Chateau Frontenac.  It was built in the
French medieval style, with numerous turrets and copper
roofs, which turned green with time.  The inside of the hotel has
painted ceilings lined with numerous chandeliers.  It has a
magnificent Greco-Roman style indoor pool that opens to an
outdoor terrace.  One of their restaurants, Le Champlain, is
filled with old world atmosphere.  The staff are dressed in
colorful turn on the century costumes.  The Cafe de la Terrasse
is the perfect place to have a buffet breakfast or lunch.  It offers
a wide variety of foods and a view of the boardwalk and the St.
Lawrence River.  An absolutely perfect way to start the day!!