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Quebec
May 28, 2009 18:13:32 GMT
Post by spaman on May 28, 2009 18:13:32 GMT
My favorite city in North America is Quebec City. Is there any wonder that we are going to Paris in September? My father-in-law was born in Fontenay sous Bois and baptized in Notre Dame so there is a francophile in me. Here are some photos we took last year. Shopping in Ville Basse Fenicular to Ville Haute Port St. Louis Outside the Chateau Frontenac Ville Basse from the boardwalk by the Chateau Frontenac
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 18:37:28 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 28, 2009 18:37:28 GMT
Very nice photos, spaman. I have only really visited Québec once (meaning spending a night in a hotel and eating several meals there). I have passed through a few other times, but the hotels are always sold out and I just keep going...
One of these days, I will be organized better.
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 18:48:21 GMT
Post by imec on May 28, 2009 18:48:21 GMT
Beautiful, thanks. Going on Sunday - and although I hate having to leave for a business trip on the weekend, your pics made me realize I could be going to worse places...
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 20:28:48 GMT
Post by lagatta on May 28, 2009 20:28:48 GMT
That is true, imec. Do you have a direct flight, or have to change in Montréal? The weather (grey and rainy now) is supposed to be lovely over the weekend so you can at least have a nice supper somewhere and get in a bit of a walk in the evening or perhaps very early in the morning, depending on where you are staying and where your business meeting is.
Québec is lovely; the longest I've been there was working (as support staff) on public sector negotiations in the 1980s. I was saying in St-Jean-Baptiste, and old neighbourhood just outside one of the Portes. Sadly, living just a few hours' away, often if I have business there we go and return the same day, which is very tiring and doesn't allow one to see anything.
I actually prefer living in Montréal because it is much more cosmopolitan (though Québec has certainly made great strides in that respect) and because the weather is a bit warmer. But Québec is far more beautiful.
spaman, anything you particularly enjoyed doing or experiencing when you were there? Will you have the time for a side trip? Some of the coastal towns in Normandy (a very short trip by rail, by Canadian standards) or Brittany (farther) very much resemble Québec.
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 20:42:04 GMT
Post by bixaorellana on May 28, 2009 20:42:04 GMT
Spaman, thank you for the beautiful photos of a beautiful, historic place. Québec fascinates me for the many ways it has affected the history of northern North America, including even the ultimate division into what is now Canada and the US. And that beautiful port summons up images of the many settlers who've seen it in all its incarnations as they sailed bravely into the new world.
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 20:43:49 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 28, 2009 20:43:49 GMT
The first thing that pops to my mind as resembling old Québec city is the walled part of Saint Malo (even if it is only a recent copy, rebuilt after WW2).
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 20:51:21 GMT
Post by imec on May 28, 2009 20:51:21 GMT
lagatta, change in Toronto AND Montreal. When I arrive I have to rush to a reception and then host clients at a private dinner. Pretty full schedule for the whole 3 days but I do get to eat in some great places - St. Amour, Toast! and Aviatic I think. Life ain't so bad...
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 21:43:42 GMT
Post by lagatta on May 28, 2009 21:43:42 GMT
Imec, hope you don't have to wait that long in Tranna - I hate that airport. I find ours more pleasant, there are places you can order a (decent) coffee and sit and read at a table without anyone bothering you. In the days of freedom I'd stock a bit of wine, juice, yoghurt etc and eat them in transit - this damned terrorism is also a boon to the purveyors of crappy overpriced airport food.
Those are among the top contemporary restos in Québec - hope the company doesn't spoil the pleasure.
kerouac, St-Malo is not only right at the border of Normandy and Brittany, it is where Cartier set sail. No wonder Québec resembles it.
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Quebec
May 28, 2009 22:16:15 GMT
Post by spaman on May 28, 2009 22:16:15 GMT
We stayed in the Auberge St. Pierre (rue St. Pierre) in Basse-Ville.
Toast! is a wonderful restaurant. For lunch one day we ate in Casse-Crepe Breton (1136 rue St-Jean, Upper Town), a great local restaurant. If you get there at noon the line is out the door and halfway down the block (the same for breakfast).
It is a beautiful city. We only left the old city one day for business. Otherwise, we only stay within the walls.
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Quebec
May 29, 2009 9:21:45 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2009 9:21:45 GMT
omec, you lead an interesting life.
Lovely pictures of Quebec city.
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Quebec
May 29, 2009 14:00:10 GMT
Post by imec on May 29, 2009 14:00:10 GMT
Problem with YUL is finding room in the Maple Leaf Lounge - usually easier in YYZ (and it's a lot newer). deyana - would love to see the fireworks if my wife heard you say that! Interesting for me but stressful for her going solo with the kids and their swimming, soccer etc. on top of her full time job...
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Quebec
May 29, 2009 21:21:51 GMT
Post by lagatta on May 29, 2009 21:21:51 GMT
Is your Paris trip with kids, or a little second honeymoon, leaving kids with grandparents?
Yes, that must be tough with kids. I have no kids, but when I have to travel a lot or non-holiday reasons, it is tough enough finding a cat and plant sitter!
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Quebec
May 29, 2009 21:55:44 GMT
Post by imec on May 29, 2009 21:55:44 GMT
Paris (week in SW France, week in Paris and week in London) trip is all 4 of us. I arranged a surprise trip for just the two of us to Rome 2 years ago for our 25th (I'll post a link to my long trip report if you're interested). First trip to Europe for the kids (10M and 14F) - very excited!
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Quebec
May 29, 2009 23:21:27 GMT
Post by lagatta on May 29, 2009 23:21:27 GMT
Since they aren't little kids, I think both you and they may be able to find some time away from the older or younger generation, under circs you find safe... Yeah, now they are old enough to appreciate it.
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Quebec
May 30, 2009 10:26:03 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 30, 2009 10:26:03 GMT
deyana - would love to see the fireworks if my wife heard you say that! Interesting for me but stressful for her going solo with the kids and their swimming, soccer etc. on top of her full time job...
Yes, I can understand that imec. We moms have quite the job on our hands.
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Quebec
May 31, 2009 20:43:50 GMT
Post by imec on May 31, 2009 20:43:50 GMT
Damn! Just arrived and took some pics of the beautiful view of the old town from my hotel - forgot my USB cable. Maybe one of my colleagues will have one. Suffice to say, it's as beautiful as ever. Dinner at St. Amour tonight.
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Quebec
Jun 1, 2009 3:34:10 GMT
Post by spaman on Jun 1, 2009 3:34:10 GMT
Here are some more of my photos from Quebec...I hope that you enjoy them! Notre Dame Church Chateau Frontenac Street Scene I forgot the name of this church Base-Ville again Ruins found under the boardwalk by the Chateau Frontenac
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Quebec
Jun 5, 2009 1:12:02 GMT
Post by imec on Jun 5, 2009 1:12:02 GMT
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Quebec
Jun 6, 2009 16:15:31 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2009 16:15:31 GMT
I have never figured out why the Château Frontenac was built -- such a big clunky thing. (I can tell I need to go and read a Wiki about it.)
Amusingly enough, I work right next to the Hôtel Château Frontenac in Paris, a much smaller and more discreet building.
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Quebec
Jun 6, 2009 16:24:10 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2009 16:24:10 GMT
Aha! Now I know that the big clunky part was added 30 years after the original construction.
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Quebec
Jun 6, 2009 16:28:54 GMT
Post by imec on Jun 6, 2009 16:28:54 GMT
I work right next to the Hôtel Château Frontenac in Paris, a much smaller and more discreet building. More "dignified", no doubt...
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Quebec
Jun 6, 2009 16:55:33 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2009 16:55:33 GMT
Actually, it is just a boring Haussmannian building, if that qualifies as dignified. Actually, the main point is wrecking the skyline. Every city makes mistakes.
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Quebec
Jun 6, 2009 17:34:27 GMT
Post by spaman on Jun 6, 2009 17:34:27 GMT
The Frontenac in Quebec was built by the railroad (Canadian Pacific, I think) in the 19th Century.
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Quebec
Jun 6, 2009 17:55:26 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2009 17:55:26 GMT
Yes, that's what the Wiki says. Hotel opened in 1893, tower monstrosity added in 1926.
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