Cruise Day 6: Quebec City

Bonjour! What a cool city! We got off the ship and explored much of Old Quebec City by foot. It's fairly hilly, so we definitely got quite the work out. The architecture is tremendous and there are cafes and shops everywhere. We found out that much of the city burned down during wars and very few original buildings remain. However, they did rebuild many of them in the same style and with the same materials. We particularly enjoyed seeing Notre Dame de Quebec and the majestic Chateau Frontenac hotel. Much of the city sits up on a hill and was built behind a stone wall to protect the city from invasion by the British. 90% of the people in Quebec City are of French decent. 

Standing above the gate that used to keep people in/out of the city

Famous Chateau Frontenac Hotel

During our walk through the city we stumbled across "Art Alley" where local artists sell their work. We fell in love with one painting of the city at dusk in wintertime, so we haggled a little and struck a deal to get ourselves an awesome souvenir.

Oddly, we ate at an Irish Pub for lunch. The Pub was built in the 17th century and was originally a pharmacy.

After lunch we met up with our tour guide for what we thought was a bus tour, and much needed break for our feet, but it turned out to be a walking tour (our poor feet). Our tour guide Madeline took us through some of the most historical parts of town, including the Vieux Port (Old Port), Notre Dame des Victiores, along with the Convent and Seminary, which are now private schools. 

"Mike's Restaurant"

Church in front, Seminary is the white building in the back

Ship in the background

Ships hang from inside the "Sailors Church" in Old Port

We fished the tour with a wine tasting. One of the "wines" was actually maple whiskey, a Canadian favorite. The "wine tasting" was at cute little restaurant in the heart of Old Port. Coincidentally there was a festival going on while we were there so there were tons of people out and about celebrating. 

"Sailors Church" to the right

Oldest building in Quebec City is the one with the red roof.

Oldest post office in Quebec City

One of the last things our tour guide pointed out was the stacked white blocks in the middle of Old Port (see pic below). She said that was their lovely gift from France (sarcastically). When we asked what it was she said it was modern art, but what they prefer to say to people is that "when France gave the U.S. the statue of liberty, they gave us the box it came in!"  Haha, apparently most people there do not like it :)

Now it's back to the ship so we can begin to pack up. Our final stop on the cruise is  tomorrow....Montreal.