“It’s all here: cobbled streets, slate-roofed stone houses,
a 95% French-speaking population, patisseries, vin rouge, and fresh baguettes.”
“At the famous Differin Terrace, a pedestrian-only rampart …offers
the city’s best views.”
“…nothing is more Quebec than … Chateau Frontenac, the very
symbol of the city, dominating the skyline from the top of Cap Diamard, the highest
point in town. Designed in the style of the Loire Valley chateau and looking as
if it’s stood here forever, it is, in fact, only a little over a century old…Outside
it’s all stone and brick turrets, green copper roofs, and dormered windows,
while inside, it labyrinthine corridors (can personally vouch for this) lead
through various wings.”
Was I there during Carnaval? No. Am I counting it anyway?
Yes.
I actually was in Quebec City twice in the summer of 2023. The
first was at an Airbnb (rainy and miserable) and the second was as the last
port city before debarkation of the HAL cruise (sunny and much better).
I went to high tea at Chateau Frontenac on my last day of
the Airbnb. My plan was to arrive early, park, and explore the Differin Terrace
before my reservation. It, of course, was pouring so I ended up just kind of
wandering around the hotel (see above labyrinthine corridors) and then made my
way to the restaurant. The tea was really marginal, I would rank it last of all
the fancy high teas I’ve done, and while I was sat next to windows looking out
on the terrace, I was also sat next to a couple of women who did nothing except
complain the entire time, about everything.
The shore day, I actually ditched my formal excursion and
took a taxi back to the Terrace and had a lovely afternoon kind of wandering
around and mostly people watching…a much better way to spend the afternoon.
