This was how it all started, really. We watched a BBC tv series, Race Across the World, which saw intrepid couples try to get from one side of Canada to the other, for the cost of a plane ticket – but without getting on a plane. The episode where they entered Quebec fired our imagination – it looked so European, so French and so beautiful. And that’s why we embarked on our own race across Canada.
And we’ve not been disappointed. Our hotel is quite unique (more of that on another day) and right in the centre of Old Quebec. As I write this, in just a day and a half, we’ve climbed the equivalent of a 24 storey building and covered 13km on foot. There is lots to see!
The streets are narrow, often cobbled, and crowded with buildings that display the French connection.
The old city is built on a steep hill, with the upper and lower parts connected by a funicular railway
…or for the more determined visitor, a steep set of stairs known in French as escalier casse-cou… or more grimly in English, Breakneck stairs.
It’s not just the exteriors that are beautiful – the inside of Quebec’s Catholic basilica is breathtaking
While most people you meet – particularly in tourist areas – speak English, the predominant language is French, and we’ve both enjoyed trying out our O-level French on the locals (who are very gracious and appear pleased we’ve are least tried!)
And we’ve tried Poutine – a mix of hot chips, cheese curds and gravy which sounds… well, ok, sounds revolting. But it’s a Canadian National Treasure so we tried it out and it’s actually delicious and ridiculously filling.
Quebec has more than delivered everything we’d hoped for. And still one more day to explore. Here are some more pictures of this beautiful, special city.
