A tale of 3 cities in Canada-Quebec, exuding an old world charm (part 1)

From the minute I arrived in Quebec city, I could sense that it is different from all the other Canadian cities that I had been to thus far. For starters, its entire population spoke French and this province definitely embodied quite possibly every element of French culture. This may seem innocuous to the casual observer, but somehow, the population of Quebec gave me the impression that they are trying to create their own unique identity in the English speaking continent of North America. In short and in my own humble opinion, they probably want to be different from the rest of Canada. From the slide show I saw during a lecture on 'World Cities', I could vaguely remember that the buildings in European cities are rarely a couple of stories high and sky scrapers are indeed a rare sight. Quebec city fits nicely into this description and if I was to conjure an image of an European city, Quebec city would provide an ideal source of reference.




Narrow streets and low rise buildings in Quebec city evoked a nostalgic ambience.




The most iconic architecture in Quebec city, Chateau Frontenac, a magnificent looking hotel with a roof made out of bronze (due to oxidation, the roof has turned green).




Quebec city lies on the Northern banks of the St. Lawrence river. In the 1700s, the contest for supremecy in North America during the French Indian wars between the British and French empire saw the construction of numerous fortifications and batteries in their respective sphere of power. The province of Quebec was a major stronghold of the French and predictably, heavily guarded by French garrisons. Standing on the Northern banks, I realised the strategic importance of St. Lawrence river. With well constructed batteries, there is no chance that any naval fleet could navigate along the river without coming under a steady stream of barrage from the artillery fire of Quebec city's coastal fortifications. Hence, heavy caliber cannons were strategically placed along the coastline of the Northern bank of St. Lawrence river to command the approach of any naval vessels from the mouth of the river.





The city of Levis is on the Southern shores of St. Lawrence river, with ferries transporting commuters between the 2 cities on a daily basis.



The Petit Champlain district, surreptitiously tucked away in the basse-ville (lower town) of Vieux Quebec (old Quebec). Walking through the narrow streets of this charming part of Quebec city, I couldn't help but feel that Quebec city has a distinctive European identity rather than a North American one (even though I have never been to Europe, this is probably what Europe looks like in the figment of my imaginations). Romantically lit by Christmas lightings and surrounded by throngs of French speakers, you could be forgiven for mistaking this place for a small French town. I was totally captivated by the beauty of Petit Champlain and the rest of Quebec city, there is without a doubt that Quebec city is the most beautiful city compared to the other cities I have been to in Canada.