Magical, Romantic Trip
Instead of presents this year, my husband and I decided to give each other the experience of spending four days in très French Quebec City. It was magical, romantic and very Christmassy! Like being inside a holiday snow globe. We arrived after they had just received 18 inches of snow. Everything was draped in the stuff, but happily it had no impact on our flights and transportation.
Even for Quebec, it was a lot of snow and unseasonable cold. Temperatures never rose above 13 degrees during the day, not including the wind chill factor! Burr! But, we brought parkas, boots and basically all our ski stuff (minus the skis)!
I’ll post a travel log of our trip after the holidays, including the European Christmas markets, ice skating and riding a toboggan. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this nighttime stroll through Lower Quebec City. Joyeux Noel and Happy Holidays!
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Strolling Lower Quebec City at Night
On Quebec’s official website, they describe, “Lights, decorations, and snow create an enchanting setting like no other within Old Quebec. No wonder CNN ranked Quebec City among the world’s top 10 destinations for celebrating the Holidays!” I can attest to it even exceeding my expectations.
We started out from our boutique hotel, Auberge Saint-Antoine, which is located in the heart of old Quebec City. Walking down snow covered St. Pierre to cobblestone Cote de la Montagne, with the snowflakes falling and my husband taking my hand, was like being in a Christmas movie.
Along the way (and partially to keep warm!) we stepped into a number of shops, cafes and checked out a few restaurants and bars for other days and meals.
Then we turned up Sous-le-Fort, with a view of the Funiculaire (like the inclines we have here in Pittsburgh) and the most photographed hotel in the world, Le Château Frontenac.
The Funiculaire is the easy way to get between Lower Quebec City, that sits on the St. Lawrence River, and Upper walled city.
There are a number of staircases and steep windy roads, but with all the snow that can be challenging.
Snow Covered Christmas Decorations
At the Funiculaire, we turned down the incredible rue Du Petit-Champlain. I took pictures looking both up and down the street so they are likely a bit directionally convoluted. C’est la vie! I really got my Frenchie on in old Quebec City. That French ancestry oozed right out!
So many enticing, wonderful shops! Each more beautifully or whimsically decorated than the next.
All the French Canadians we met were so jovial, friendly and outgoing. I’m not sure we came across any Americans while we were there?
Almost everyone was speaking French in restaurants and bars all around us. They all wanted to know where we were from. When we told them Pittsburgh, many praised our repeat Stanley Cup winning Penguins. I think it’s because of our famous French Canadian players?
Heading back, we detoured through old Place Royal, a town square where a large Christmas tree stood.
Here I am posing in the sleigh situated at the base of the tree.
We headed back down Notre-Dame, named for their ancient church, back towards the restaurant, where a we greeted with a roaring fire, a drink and intimate setting.
A Christmas Wish & Thank You
I want to take this occasion to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. And, a special thank you to my regular followers and readers. I’d love for you to leave a comment and tell me more about yourself and the posts you enjoy the most.
Continue to explore at Stroll Lower Quebec City During the Holidays and Embrace the Season in Upper Quebec City.
From Pere Noel and I, a very Merry Christmas to all!
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hey Deb the pictures of Quebec are beautiful!!! What a way to kick off the holiday!!!!
Beautiful photos! We visited Quebec once in the late spring and I just loved it. I have often wanted to visit in winter but really do not like snow or being cold… even if I do live in New England. Pinned.
I’m with you on not like being cold! But, even though it was unseasonable cold even for Quebec, we had a fabulous, magical visit. Just wore all our ski clothes! It was the wind on the upper plateau that could be miserable. Still, we had a blast tobogganing and ice skating and never noticed the cold then. Staying in the old lower city also has the advantage of protection from the winds.
Too bad that I had just discovered this post. For someone who live in Canada once, I couldn’t agree with you more. Vieux Quebec (Old Quebec) is one of my favorite places in the world. It just reminds you to Europe. Did you get to eat some Tourtiere or Pate Chinois. The Canadians also offer great desserts, and around the holidays it can be sinful. I enjoy the beautiful pictures, thank you for sharing.
However did you come upon this post in the summer? I’m glad you found me too Edmee. I loved Old Quebec so much that I did three posts on a 5 day visit! It definitely felt like Europe and so magical at Christmastime. And, what a foodie paradise. There just weren’t enough meals in a day to sample all the restaurants and dishes I wanted to try. But, yes, I did have Pate Chinois — tres bon!
What a lovely trip! Your pictures are beautiful.
It was really magical there during the holiday season Ann. Hubby and I hope to return in the fall sometime when warmer weather will allow more explanation and seeing the foliage.