【英文版】
|
As one of the oldest European settlements in North America, Quebec City was founded by the French explorer and navigator Samuel de Champlain in 1608. In Quebec, the locals are referred to as Quebecers. More than 90% of Quebecers claim to have French ancestors.
Located at the northeastern tip of North America at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and St. Charles Rivers, Quebec City lies 180 miles northeast of Montreal and 800 miles southwest of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. According to the report in 2011, the city’s population was approximately 766,000. Quebec City’s nickname is La Vieille Capitale, which means the old capital.
Quebec City is often referred to as the “crown jewel of French Canada.” It impresses everyone with its classic European architecture, imposing bastions, romantic promenades, and picturesque plazas.
Quebec City has over 400 years of French roots. When French explorer Jacques Cartier sailed into the St. Lawrence Gulf in 1535, he found a small Iroquois village perched upon the shore. But it wasn’t until 73 years later that Samuel de Champlain established the first French settlement and called it Kebec. This is an Algonquin word meaning, “Where the river narrows.”
Struggles with the natives plus tensions with England, and later the Americans led the settlers to build a fortress at the top of the cliffs. This led to Quebec City falling in and out of France’s hands until 1763 when it ceded to Great Britain for a period of time.
The British may have won the battle but the heart and soul of Quebec City is still undeniably French and nowhere can I savor the flavor of French architecture, sprawling parks, intimate restaurants, and romantic horse drawn carriages than in the city of Quebec.
Since I had only a few days to visit the incredibly beautiful Quebec. I planned the trip carefully so that I wouldn’t miss out on the top points of interest here.
I took a walking tour to visit the historic Quebec City’s many highlights, including a visit to Upper Town and Lower Town, Old Quebec, the Citadelle, Chateau Frontenac, Quebec fortifications, Place Royale, and many hidden Quebec sites.
Just outside of Quebec City, I found two quaint villages surrounded by a pastoral countryside that captured all of my senses. I saw wild flowers in bloom along the road. The shimmering beauty of this place is a swirl of colors and bursting fragrance. The deep blue sky and expansive green fields made Quebec City full of radiance and hope.
When I chose Quebec City to visit, I wanted the whole trip to be full of rich and satisfying experiences. It just happened to match the city’s motto. That is “Don de Dieu feray valoir,” meaning “I shall put God’s gift to good use.”
The unforgettable trip to Quebec City reminded me of my favorite quote by Charles Dickens, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
Can you believe the background of this photo is a giant painting in Quebec City?
回上一頁