Quebec 2017...Day One

Looking back, I discovered we have visited Quebec five times, the last time being 2007!  Hard to believe it's been that long, considering how much we love the old city.

Tuesday, August 1...

We were on the road by 9:30.  We stopped in Jackman around 1:15 to get gas, use the bathroom and have a bite to eat.   It was a beautiful afternoon, 76* and a nice, light breeze.  We reached the border at 1:58 and arrived in Quebec at 4:00.  The two hour drive is really very pretty and you know you are getting close when you reach this bridge.

We checked into our home away from home, Hotel Chateau Fleur De Lys.

This was a private home until 2014 when it was purchased and converted into a hotel. We drove around for about an hour looking for parking, which we finally found, then made the five minute walk back to the hotel.  

We were only a couple of blocks from the boardwalk overlooking the St. Lawrence River and the Chateau Frontenac. 

We headed down the hill and went for a walk along the boardwalk, also known as Dufferin Terrace, and around town, refamiliarizing (is that a word) ourselves with the area.  

The boardwalk sits in the shadow of the Chateau Frontenac, which has a very long history and provides a great view of the river.

There was a Salvador Dali exhibit in the Chateau, which was being hyped on the boardwalk. This elephant was really very cool!

We left the boardwalk and headed more "in town", passing this awesome splash pad.

There is an elevated area with small tables and chairs on one side and beautiful gardens on the other.

One of the things we enjoy about Quebec City is the numerous gardens around the city.

We bought iced coffees at McDonalds and made reservations for dinner tomorrow at our favorite restaurant, the Portofino.  We are really happy it's still in business!  

We came across an awesome bakery, La Maison Smith where we purchased croissant sandwiches, which we ate in the outside garden.

We walked back to the boardwalk where the late day sun lit up the Chateau.

 There are several benches along the boardwalk on which to sit and enjoy the river.  We always like watching the ferries travel back and forth to the town of Levi, a 15 minute trip.

Still sunlight left so we headed up the 310 steps of the Governor's Walkway, built by the government in 1958 to commemorate Quebec's 350th anniversary. 

We reached the Plains of Abraham at the top, a large, grassy park filled with history, including a battle between the French and British, in which both generals were killed within 20 minutes, effectively ending the battle.

Rather than return by the stairs, we walked to one of the main streets running through town, past the Cross of Sacrifice, a memorial to fallen soldiers.

The plaque explains the significance of the memorial, as well as information about the plantings at the base, which are amazing.

 From there we returned to our hotel room and watched the Crossfit Games...in French ;o)

Happy 15th Anniversary to us!  It was a gorgeous day and evening.

Thanks for stopping by...

;o)