Une belle visite à Québec

In early December my husband and I travelled to Québec City to visit my mother-in-law. Temperatures were in the -20 range, snow covered everything, and trees were iced. The frigid weather made hot chocolate breaks all the more delightful. And a roaring fire all the more cozy!

The wintery weather adds to the charm, non? Québec City is quite charming. We had a lovely time wandering the historic streets lined with inviting cafés and shops.

Snow and ice completely blanketed the Plains of Abraham. Still, we staked out a good vantage point on the famed plateau and pondered how the French did not see the British soldiers advancing from the Saint Laurence River below. The view is clear! This pivotal battle in 1759 was over quickly, about 30 minutes. The French were pushed out, New France was ultimately ceded to the British, and the fate of Canada decided. Imagine if the decisive battle had gone the other way? Imaginez vous!?

You don’t have to stretch your imagination in Québec City. It’s a great place to feel like you are in France. Crêpes on the menu. Large bowls of café au lait necessitating two hands. Plenty of cosy bistros. Unique architecture with a European feel. Plus, where else in Canada can you walk through an arched gate in a fortified wall to enter the old town? Splendide!

The generous helpings of delectable maple syrup were also most welcome. I finished every last dribble.

We learned some more about the history of Québec visiting the Assemblée Nationale du Québec. Our tour guide was well versed on the architectural and decorative features of the building as well as the provincial parliamentary process (she responded to a multitude of questions from our eager group!) In one of the ornate hallways my mother-in-law spotted a bust with her family name, Bédard. A happy discovery!

To celebrate her birthday we had a wonderful dinner in a rotating restaurant with a view. A birthday celebration needs a good bottle of wine, non? A zesty Sauvignon Blanc from France. From our table by the window we watched the scene outside slowly sweep across the city. The wine, on the other hand, was well appreciated at a steady pace. We had a good time.

Un beau souvenir.