The Quebec City skyline with the Chateau Frontenac at sunset.
It is the perfect weekend trip for history nerds and winter sports enthusiasts alike.
The only walled city north of Mexico, Quebec City is the crown jewel of French-speaking Canada.
The Quebec City skyline with the Chateau Frontenac at sunset. (Photo: RABBIT75_DEP/Depositphotos)
From pitched battles to ice canoe races, the city’s history and present are both complex and fascinating.
The lands were already home to many indigenous communities, including Cree, Algonquin, and Abinaki peoples.
To acquire furs, French trappers and traders learned to work withIndigenous peoples.
A 1797 engraving by Hervey Smyth of the siege of Quebec on September 13, 1959. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
From the city’s northern position, French raids swept southwards to attack the northern British colonies.
St. Louis Gate, through the wall of Quebec City.
Britain then began to fund forces made up of Anglo-American colonists.
St. Louis Gate, through the wall of Quebec City. (Photo: TOMREJZEK/Depositphotos)
The tide turned, and French forts began to fall.
A failed French siege the next year could not reverse the change in regime.
The loss of Quebec City and Montreal were death blows to French power in America.
The First Quebec Conference, Canada, August 1943. Front, left to right: President Roosevelt of the United States; the Earl of Athlone, Governor General of Canada. Back row: Mr Mackenzie-King, Prime Minister of Canada and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ended the war and French control in North America.
Britain gained what is now French Canada, as well as the Louisiana Territory.
Quebec Citythe quintessential Frenchvillebecame an English city.
The Basilica de Notre Dame de Quebec. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
A Provincial Capital on the World Stage
The First Quebec Conference, Canada, August 1943.
Back row: Mr Mackenzie-King, Prime Minister of Canada and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The 13 colonies gained their independence, but Canada remained British.
Le Quartier Petit Champlain district in Quebec City. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
As a precaution, the city then built a citadel in 1820 to defend its high ground.
One can still visit thefortresstoday.
Quebec City quickly grew throughout the late 18th century and into the 19th century.
Quebec Winter Carnival ice palace. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
At times in the 19th century, it served as the capital of British Canada.
In 1867, Queen Victoria named the metropolis the capital of the Quebec province.
British subjects intermingled with the French-speaking populace.
Ice canoe races on the Saint Lawrence river. They are training for the Quebec Winter Carnival. (Photo: AMENOHI/Depositphotos)
Despite these changes,Quebec City’s economicimportance paled in comparison to the likes of Montreal and Ottawa.
These other cities attracted railroads and financial ventures, while Quebec focused on manufacturing footwear.
Canada’sjourney to independencewas less straightforward than the United States.
In 1867, it became a Dominion of the British Empire, a more independent yet still connected status.
This intimate association allowed Quebec City to play host to important world leaders during World War II.
French Canadian Culture
The Basilica de Notre Dame de Quebec.
French is the official language of the province, spoken by 94% of residents.
TheFrench-Canadian natureof the provinceof which Quebec City remains the capitalhas even given rise to a separatist movement.
Quebec City is still home to its indigenous inhabitants.
The schools were created toannihilate indigenous cultureand indoctrinate children with racist ideals of French Canadian cultural superiority.
They caused great trauma and loss of life, with the last Quebec facility closing in 1991.
Despite these atrocities, there remain10 First Nationsand many northern Inuit communities in Quebec province.
Learn about these rich cultures in a respectful way byeducating yourselfat sites such as theHuron-Wendat Museum.
Le Quartier Petit Champlain district in Quebec City.
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
Today, Quebec is known for its delicious food.
The province is the largest supplier of maple syrup in the world.
The sap is harvested and refined in acabane a sucre, or sugar shack.
Pastriessuch as thepet de soeurand poutine are perfect for any palette.
What To See and Do in Quebec City
Quebec Winter Carnival ice palace.
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
There is much to do in Quebec City.
Explore the historic citadel and meander through the magnificent gates of the walled city.
Take a tour of thehistoric city center.
AtNotre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral, history has repeated itself.
Today, the stained glass and gilded decorations impress visitors from around the world.
Dine on unique fare at any number of excellentrestaurants.
For those looking to venture outside of the city, the beautifulMontmorency Fallsis an easy drive away.
The province of Quebec also offers ample outdoor recreational opportunitiesincludingdog sledding,snowshoeing,tubing, andhiking.
The festival features snow sculpture competitions, ice slides, and lots to eat and drink.
Each year, an ice palace is also constructed.
Parades, sleigh rides, and ice canoe races on the river add to the festivities.
Whether you visit in winter or another season, there are ample activities to do in Quebec City.
Ice canoe races on the Saint Lawrence river.
They are training for the Quebec Winter Carnival.
