From its beginnings as the capital of New France (back in the early 1600s), to its current day sobriquet of the National Capital (to the Québecois), Quebec City is a wonder to behold and a dream to vacation in. Its remarkable history has made Vieux-Québec (Old Québec) a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. There are many reason for this, however one of the most interesting is that Vieux-Québec is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist.
If you’ve heard of Québec City, you’ve probably heard of Château Frontenac. Though you may have no intention of getting a room at the 660-room Château Frontenac, it’s absolutely worth a visit. In fact, we encourage you to take a guided tour of this towering landmark, presiding over the St. Lawrence River. You’ll learn the rich history of the Château, sure, but also make sure to see some of the rooms and definitely, absolutely, check out the rooftop herb garden.
Aside from the gorgeously breathtaking Château Frontenac, there are myriad other reasons to visit Québec City. One of the most appealing is how loaded it is with incredible history, especially in Vieux-Québec. So, just in case you’re boning up for a French Canadian history test, here are some fun facts about La Vielle Capitale…
- In 1608, Samuel de Champlain named Québec after a similar sounding Algonquin word meaning, “place where the river narrows”
- Québec City hosts the largest winter carnival in the world, Carnaval de Québec, which is coming up on its 59th anniversary in February 2013
- Locals keep warm in the winter by drinking “caribou,” a mix of whiskey and port
What else should everyone know about Québec City?