Where is Quebec City and why should I know about it?
Come and discover Québec City! Québec City – is the capital of the Canadian province of Québec, the only province in the country to have a predominantly French-speaking population. The city’s name is often abbreviated to just“Québec“. It is located on the north bank of the St. Lawrence River and is the only North American city to have preserved its walls.
Quebec City is a must-see destination for tourists because it offers a wide variety of attractions, museums, restaurants and parks, as well as being named one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Its architecture, culture, festivals and cuisine are influenced by its French roots, but also show traces of Irish, Scottish and Italian origins, among others.
A Brief History of Quebec City
Also known as La Vieille Capitale (The Old Capital), Quebec City is a unique city with a mix of European and North American cultures. The city is famous for its many art galleries, museums and historic buildings. All of this is a result of its history.
Québec was founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608 and was one of the first cities in New France. It was created as a trading post to compete with other European powers, mainly England. The city has witnessed much of the history that has shaped North America and today is considered one of the oldest settlements on the continent.
In 1759, British forces invaded Quebec City and brought it under their control, and various territorial disputes took place in the region, contributing to the ethnic and cultural diversity of the place. In 1867, Canada gained its independence from Great Britain, with Quebec City becoming the capital of the province of Quebec.
Historical Landmarks and Tourist Spots
The city has many points of interest to visit, such as the Citadelle de Québec, which is a fortress that was built to defend itself against attacks from the United States and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Another interesting place to visit is the Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec, which is a Roman Catholic church that was built in 1874 and is the oldest church in Canada.
There is also the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, which presents exhibitions of Quebec art and history, including First Nations and Inuit art.
Finally, one of the city’s most famous landmarks is the Château Frontenac, a hotel built in 1893 that dominates the skyline with its imposing architecture and long-standing reputation as one of the grandest hotels in North America.
What to eat in Ville de Québec?
Quebec City is known for its burgeoning gastronomic scene, and that’s not just because of the poutine! There are so many restaurants to choose from, with so many different styles, that it can be difficult to decide on a place to eat.
There are restaurants that sell dishes from foreign cuisines, such as French or British, but you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to try Quebec‘s local specialties.
With French roots and shaped by the challenges of its settlement, Québécois cuisine is mainly made up of rich dishes with a lot of substance. Some of the most popular are:
- Fèves au lard – This traditional dish consists of slow-cooked beans and pork. There are several variations, the most popular being the maple syrup recipe.
- Creton – A type of pâté made with pork and various spices such as cloves and cinnamon, it is usually eaten with toasted bread for breakfast.
- Poutine – Perhaps the best-known Québécois dish, it’s made with fried potatoes and cheese, topped with a meat sauce
- Tarte au sucre – A sweet tart filled with a mixture of eggs, cream, flour and brown sugar. In some recipes, sugar is replaced with maple syrup.
- Ragoût de boulettes de porc– Meatballs made from pork, ground beef, veal or a mixture of these meats, seasoned with spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and rolled in flour, which are boiled with onions and served in a thick broth. They are usually served with boiled potatoes.
Just the beginning about Québécois wealth
Quebec City is a place with a very rich culture, which only grows the more you explore it. Whether it’s the architecture, the art or the cuisine, discovering what else this city has to offer is an incredible experience in itself.
There are many other points about Quebec City that we’ll talk about in our next post, but they all have in common the fact that you should try to make the most of them. One of the ways to be prepared for this is to speak the local language, French. École Québec offers Québécois French classes, specializing in the expressions and customs of the region, so you’ll be ready to travel or live in the province and benefit from everything the place has to offer!
Why not book a trial lesson and start getting to know the language? You won’t regret it!
Come and talk to us and take your first step towards expanding your horizons!
