Touring The Great North – Part 6 – Quebec City, Day 1

Quebec City is the Provincial Capitol of the Province of Quebec. It is also one of the oldest European settlements in North America, and is the twelfth-largest city and the seventh-largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is also the second-largest city in the province, after Montreal.

On our first day in Quebec City, it was pouring down rain, which meant we had to change our original plans for the city to stay more indoors. But everything worked out just perfectly, like things usually do. We still managed to do a lot. 🙂

Milos is retired Canadian Military, so we toured some of military museums and citadels all around. And being retired military, he got us all in for free too. BONUS! Thank you Milos, both for serving your country, and for the perks that were extended to us because of your service. It was kind of funny though, in one of the military museums we went to, the person checking us in didn’t recognize his National Military card because it wasn’t a Provincial, Quebec military card. WHAT???? Just how stupid are people becoming? She had to go ask her supervisor if his National Military card was acceptable. Again, WHAT???????

This citadel is still an active military site, so we could only tour around part of it. But I love how it looks like an old castle. We did see the Plains of Abraham a little though, which were just behind the citadel.

The Plains of Abraham were the site of a decisive, short battle on September 13, 1759, where British forces under General James Wolfe defeated French troops led by General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm during the Seven Years’ War. The British victory led to the surrender of Quebec City, effectively ending French control of New France and marking a turning point in the struggle for North America, ultimately leading to Britain’s conquest of Canada. Though this was a decisive battle, the actual battle itself only lasted 25 minutes. This short but decisive battle resulted in a crucial British victory, leading to the capture of Quebec City and a major shift in control of North America.

The museum was closed for a private event, but the grounds were beautiful.

I know I have mentioned it a million times, but I just love all the attention to detail in older buildings and architecture. We just don’t see this anymore and it’s a shame.

These were outside of Montreal, but as we were passing by, Milos said he actually drove both of these types of tanks.

The Plains of Abraham are named after Abraham Martin, a Scottish pilot and fisherman who owned land there in the 17th century, with the name becoming solidified after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. The local residents began referring to the area as the “Heights of Abraham,” and the term was later adopted by the British and French during the battle to describe the site where they fought for control of Quebec City.

This is a sculpture representing Abraham Martin’s wife “giving birth” to a new nation.

The Quebecquois motto – Je me souviens, I remember. It is found everywhere and is even on all the Quebec license plates.

The Quebec flag with the cross and the fleur de lys.

The poppies of Flanders Field.

Milos fought in Afghanistan and this was his uniform.

I love this old fountain.

Another indoor tour we took was inside the old Gaol. This old historic building has been a lot of things in its tenure. It started off as the first old Gaol (jail) for the Quebec territory. Then it became the first college/university in the area, Morrin College. And then a library, which it still is today. It is the only ALL English library in the area. And of course it is a museum too.

Inside the gaol or jail cells. They were set up with the cells on the outside walls with a “common area” in the center, where the prisoners ate and worked. As with many prisons, the prisoners were expected to work at various trades while incarcerated.

This was their work station.

The cells.

The same tour, same building, now in a different phase, the Morrin College phase.

This was the college ballroom, where they still hold events today.

And now on the other side of the building, the library, also still very much in use today, as the only ALL English library in the area. Some of the books here are over 400 years old. The oldest books are on the highest levels.

While waiting for our next tour, we explored the surrounding areas. The rain had let up, so it was pleasant outside.

A typical sight of the blendings of the old, historical sites adjacent to modern structures.

An old Cathedral and seminary.

The Parliament building outside the walls of the old citadel.

After touring this collection of historic renditions of this building, we took a tour of the Quebec Parliament Building or L’Hotel de Parlement. It was very impressive. The surrounding grounds were very impressive as well. Have you ever been to the Louvre, in Paris? If so, this Parliament building might look a little familiar to you. L’Hotel de Parlement is a replica of the Louvre, without the glass pyramid as the entrance.

I believe this statue is of Pierre Trudeau.

After passing through the security detail, this was the meeting place for our tour. This round skylight is at the opening outside the entrance to the Parliament building. Inside the Parliament Building, parts were very modern, while other parts were very old and traditional.

As in Montreal, a certain percentage of the annual budget is devoted to contemporary art.

It was a lot more traditional inside the inner sanctums of the Parliament Building. Antoine, our tour guide, explaining all the significance of the details on the walls. the four main influences of the region were The Irish, The French, The Catholic Church and The English Parliamentary system of rule.

The famous golden Septor. Because we were able to see it on display it meant that Parliament was not in session. The Septor would be in the chambers with them if Parliament was in session and has been since the very beginning.

There are so many gorgeous stained glass windows all throughout the Parliament Building.

Leading into the Parliament dining room. We had planned on eating there, since it is not often you actually get to dine in an actual Parliament building, but by the time our tour finished, the dining room was already closed.

Where the all the official business takes place in Quebec City for the Province of Quebec.

More of the modern art on display. We had to take a picture of this because it reminded us of our Juneau. 🙂

A tribute to the Canadian Suffragettes.

The Library of Parliament.

This picture depicts the fire that destroyed the original Parliament building. The Parliament of the United Province of Canada in Montreal burned down on April 25, 1849. It is important to note that this was not the current Quebec City parliament building, but the former one located in Montreal when it was the capital.

Taking a little breather.

By the end of the Parliament tour, we were tired and had worked up an appetite. it was time to find some place to eat. 🙂

Restez a l’ecoute. J’en aurai beaucoup plus a vous proposer bientot. Stay tuned. I have a lot more coming your way soon.

Passez une bonne journee et faites en sorte que chaque jour soit formidable. Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.