Quebec City

Celebrating 400 Years of History By Terri and Martin Hirsch On July 3, 1608, French Explorer, Samuel de Champlain founded a fur-trading post on the banks of the St. Lawrence River – Quebec, an Algonquin word meaning “place where the river narrows.” In doing so, he established what would become the first permanent French settlement in North America and one of the world’s most enchanting cities. Today, Quebec is a diverse and fascinating City. It has friendly people, glorious art and history, intriguing crafts, savory restaurants and splendid scenery. We caught a glimpse of Old Quebec by strolling through narrow streets with outdoor restaurants, boutiques and shops on our way to the Museum of Civilization. Museum of Civilization At the main entrance a statue depicting a large boatman bursting from the water was welcoming visitors. On the rooftops Franco Dragone created a spectacular outdoor exhibition “The Visionaries Gardens.” Throughout the rooftops were colorful gardens with vegetables, fruits, trees, herbs, flowers and talking water well. His vision of a talking well with its changing colors and lights where children speak about their life, fears and hopes from the depth of this water well was amazing. Inside the Museum were numerous permanent exhibitions: Territories depicted the people’s relationship with their land and future challenges seen through films, photographs and art. Oversized images, photographs and films plus archival films and artifacts are shown in this exhibit. Encounter with the First Nation showed the lifestyle and vision of the eleven native nations, which were the first inhabitants of the Quebec Territory. An art collection, canoes, crafted bark baskets and hunting and fishing implements were among the many collections throughout this exhibition. People of Quebec Then and Now is an exhibition tracing the history of Quebec from the time it was called New France to the present day. Within this exhibition approximately 500 objects showing 400 years of history included coins, portraits, furniture, costumes and sculptures. Through discussions and displays a guide explained how Quebec was able to maintain its French identity. During the American Revolution there was a lot of support in Quebec for the colonies. The British did not want any aid given to the Americans and the only way Quebec could keep their language and tradition was by staying neutral. Now French and English are spoken throughout Quebec. Gold in the Americas (a special exhibition) highlights the tale of gold in the Americas from pre-Columbian civilizations to our modern-day mining towns. Over 400 artifacts came from Columbia, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, France and the United States. This exhibition was divided into five separate areas displaying pure gold jewels and religious objects and decorations by various pre-Columbian civilizations. Battlefields Park Plains of Abraham. Right in the heart of the city is Battlefields Park, known as the Plains of Abraham. In this magnificent park free evening outdoor concerts are held. The Philharmonic Concert for Music Lovers on the Sports Oval of the Plains of Abraham was not to be missed. One of the legendary works presented was the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. From October 17 to October 19, 2008 the 400th year celebrations will have a spectacular closing event, the “Cirque du Soleil.” For $50, the Quebec City Museum Card included admission to 18 museums for three consecutive days, two days of public transportation plus coupons for discounts at various Quebec City attractions. The Hotel Manoir Victoria After the concert, we returned to our hotel, the Hotel Manoir Victoria located in Old Quebec. This historic hotel was originally built in the early 1830s. In the beginning of the 20th century it was the fashionable place for the upper-class visiting Quebec. After major fires and numerous extensive renovations it re-opened in 1988. Today it has a unique European style and offers a smoke-free environment in all its 156 rooms and suites, some of which are high-luxury units with a fireplace and whirlpool bath. The Manor Victoria also offers free high speed internet access, an indoor pool, sauna, spa and fitness center. Fine dining can be found at “La Table du Manoir” serving French Continental Cuisine. A more relaxing atmosphere is the alternative dining room “Le Saint-James” a bistro featuring the food of Quebec. Old Quebec The following morning, a guided tour of Quebec took us through many parts of the Old City, including the Notre Dame Des Victories, the oldest stone church in North America; the Place Royal, the restored 18th century square and the site of Champlain’s original settlement. A statute of Champlain is located on a terraced promenade with spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River. This lively walled part of the city, with its winding streets and quaint town squares, traces its roots nearly 400 years back to the founding of the city in 1608. The oldest shopping street was at the foot of the cliff beneath the Ch?teau Frontenac, which looked like a medieval castle. The Chateau Frontenac opened its doors in 1893 where Champlain’s fort was erected in 1620. Walking through the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, we noticed stone houses with brightly painted shutters. Nearby boutiques and shops offered us a variety of beautiful wares, exclusive clothing, jewelry, art work, paintings and antiques. Montmorency Falls Before lunch we followed the St. Lawrence River out to Montmorency Falls, one of Quebec’s most spectacular historic and natural sites. This waterfall is nearly 100 feet higher than Niagara. It is bordered by trails and features a cable car to the top, a panoramic stairway, and a suspension bridge. Hotel Loews Le Concorde L’Astral Lunch at the L’Astral, a rotating restaurant atop the Hotel Loews Le Concorde was as magnificent as the view. From the 29th floor of the L’Astral we experienced a 360 degree view of the City, including the Saint Lawrence River, Plains of Abraham, and the walled city of old Quebec. A special Anniversary menu, created by executive chef, Jean-Claude Crouzet, was absolutely perfect. Loews Le Concorde Hotel displayed the 400th anniversary flag and an exhibit of needlepoint tapestries depicting the important moments in the life of Samuel de Champaign. With 406 spacious rooms and suites with views and plush furnishings, this Hotel also provides a second restaurant, high-speed internet, swimming pools and a fitness center. National Museum of Arts After lunch we strolled to the National Museum of Arts, which was hosting “The Louvre in Quebec” The Arts and Life with 271 pieces from the Paris Museum. This National Museum of Arts is located in the Plains of Abraham. It presented exhibitions featuring Quebec artists, past and present. The Louvre exhibition is a captivating journey of discovery of 5,000 years of history and civilization, highlighting the countless ties between the arts and human lives. This Museum contained paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and decorative art objects, including an art collection of relics of Oriental, Egyptian, Greek and Roman origin. Espace 400 Heart of the Festivals Espace 400 at Bassin Louise in the Old Port area was the focal point of the festivities for residents and visitors from around the world. It was the worlds largest outdoor architectural projection. All events were free with the exception of Passengers/Passengers, in the main pavilion. Patrice Sauve’s fantastic exhibit Passengers/Passengers is an original interactive creation inspired by the history of the settlement of the city. We became passengers on this interactive exhibition and discovered the moving tales of the people who have settled in Quebec City or simply passed through it. It took us through the human flow that has shaped the face of Quebec City with its many testimonies, images, lyrics and music. The Image Mill The Image Mill is an open-air multimedia show by Robert Lepage. We traveled back in time and relieved the past with forty minutes of images that recount Quebec City’s 400 years of history. This fascinating and entertaining show combined 3D characters with state-of-the-art technology and incredible audio. It was a moving and majestic portrait of the influences that have shaped Quebec throughout the centuries. For information on Quebec City Tourism: http://www.bonjourquebec.com http://www.quebecregion.com