Enjoy...
Québec City, Where History Comes Alive

"Gift of God, I will make thee worthy" promised Samuel De Champlain, famous French explorer and founder of Québec City. That was in 1608.

Four hundred years later, Québec City, with its visible links to history, is unique in North America. Cradle of French civilization in America, it is the only fortified city north of Mexico. UNESCO, recognizing this fact, placed the historic district of Québec City on its prestigious World Heritage list. It is one of the only two North American cities to earn such recognition.

Considered for a long time as a strategic post of prime importance, Québec City looks over the St. Lawrence, the majestic river that leads to the heart of the continent, and was the route taken by discoverers, colonists, traders and armies. Throughout its passionate and exciting history, Québec City has forged an identity drawing on French, English and Native influences.

The historic district of Québec City clearly shows its European roots. Narrow winding streets, old stone homes and churches, ramparts and cannons, copper roofs and graceful architectural curves all bring to mind the old continent.

An unforgettable emblem, recognized around the world, the majestic profile of the Château Frontenac rises over Cap Diamant. Dufferin Terrace, built onto the flanks of the cape, offers visitors a breathtaking view over the oldest commercial district in America, the Petit-Champlain, and of Place Royale and the Old Port. A look to the east, towards Île d’Orléans and the Beaupré Coast, takes the imagination farther than the eye can see, to the river's end and the Atlantic Ocean.

Not far from the Battlefields Park, site of the decisive confrontation between French and English, the Citadel of Québec and the walls protecting Old Québec City constitute the largest fortifications still in use in North America. Inside the walls of the fort, visitors can thrill to the traditional Changing of the Guard.

In the heart of Old Québec City, the Ursulines Convent, founded in 1639, is the oldest educational institution for young women in North America. A few streets over, the Québec Seminary, with its silver roof and towers, offers classes within walls rich with character. It would be tempting to go back to school here just to feel the history.

Many interpretation centres and historic houses allow visitors to discover the city's rich heritage and culture. Museums in Québec City transform a simple visit... into an amazing adventure!

Names such as the Breakneck Stairs, and streets with names like Sous-le-Fort (Below the Fort), du Trésor (Treasury), du Sault-au-Matelot (Sailor’s Leap), la place d’Armes, parc Montmorency and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church all tell a story. They remind visitors that in Québec City, people take the time to remember, stroll or window shop, and spend an evening enjoying a good meal. Intimate cafés, inviting restaurants, elegant boutiques, bustling sidewalk cafés, theatres and museums, clowns, acrobats and buskers are all part of exciting and enchanting historic Old Québec City.

"Gift of God, I will make thee worthy," exclaimed Samuel de Champlain when he landed. Would he return today, he could certainly declare: mission accomplished!

Visit our Web site: www.quebecregion.com

histoire July 4, 2000 MUSEUMS AND INTERPRETATION CENTRES

Musée de la civilisation A monument of glass and stone located in the Old Port, this museum hosts ten simultaneous exhibits. Three of them are permanent : Mémoire focuses on the history of Québec, Objets de civilisation showcases magnificent items from the museum's private collection and Encounter with the First Nations lets us share the vision of the world of eleven native nations which inhabit the Québec territory. The temporary exhibits are wide-ranging and stimulating and the perfect complement to this picture of a world in change.

Musée du Québec A national institution located in the historic Battlefields Park, the Musée du Québec introduces visitors to one of the largest specialized collections in America. Paintings, drawings, sculpture, ornamental gold and silver work all combine to create a rich portrait of the best that Québec has to offer in artistic creation. The museum also regularly features international exhibits.

Musée de l'Amérique française Under the silver turrets of the Séminaire de Québec, one of the first learning establishments in New France, the Musée de l'Amérique française reveals the ongoing history of French-speaking people in America. Canadian and European paintings, engravings, scientific instruments, rare books and other collector's items tell the story of the birth and growth of the French fact on this continent.

Québec Expérience Different times, different customs : on rue du Trésor, in the Old City, Québec Expérience plunges us into history, 21st century style. Sound and light displays in 3-D, holo-videograms, multiple screens and other special effects bring the history of Québec City to life, capturing its greatest moments in a brief half hour!

Musée du Fort With a more traditional but equally interesting approach, the Musée du Fort offers a sound and light show using a model of the city to recreate the six sieges of Québec City. This includes the battle between the French and English armies that was a turning point in Canada's history.

Royal 22nd Regiment Museum The Royal 22nd Regiment Museum, located in the former powderhouse (1750) and the old military prison, displays an interesting collection of firearms, uniforms, decorations, insignia and documents from the 17th century to the present.

Wax Museum The historic Québec wax museum, founded in 1936, currently houses 60 characters. The museum covers 2 floors: the first illustrates the history of Québec and the second displays contemporary wax figures. The cultural, political and sports situation is constantly evolving and the Musée changes its displays regularly. The house where the museum is established was built by Martin Boutet and dates back to the French Regime (1670). Urban Life Interpretation Centre (Ville de Québec) Located in City Hall, this interpretation centre houses exhibitions devoted to contemporary urban life. A huge scale model illustrates four centuries of the city’s urbanization. The exhibitions give information on the major development projects and bear witness to the vitality of the city.

Commission-des-Champs-de-Bataille Interpretation Centre The Battlefields Park, a place of history, nature, leisure and culture is both a national historical park and an urban park. It is among the most prestigious parks in the world and is well known under the name of the Plains of Abraham. The main walk-in service is the Discovery Pavilion, located at 835, avenue Wilfrid-Laurier. An exceptional multimedia show on the great historical battles and the creation of the park is presented in the Interpretation center (in the vault of Québec's old prison). Theme exhibitions on architecture and military engineering take place in the Martello Tower 1. A variety of activities are available to groups of all ages, according to the seasons: discover the site guided by historical characters, on foot or by bus, with an audio guide. Attend a free concert, admire the Jeanne-d'Arc gardens, practice a sport to strech your legs, participate in our mystery meal or in a variety of theme activities: horticulture, territory development, history, etc.

Act of Faith Sound and Light Show A stunning sound and light show at the Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica-Cathedral. A historic multimedia adventure that comes alive inside the unique Cathedral environment. Simultaneous English and French versions, duration 45 minutes.

Îlot des Palais Archeological Site An archeological activity site where more than three centuries of history await you. At the first Palais de l’Intendant, you may visit an archeological site giving you access to remain that are unique in North America. In the vaults of the second Palais de l’Intendant, visitors are invited to discover the hidden history of this major site of Québec.

Artillery Park This site, where the French built various defense structures in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, was of great strategic importance to the history of Québec. The British Royal Artillery Regiment established its headquarters there until 1871. A cartridge factory set up in 1879 provided munitions for the Canadian army until it was closed down in 1964. Visit the three unique historic buildings in Québec: the Dauphine Redoubt (1712) and its sumptuous setting of the officers' mess, the vaults and casemates. Officers' Quarters (1818), with period furniture, and restored chambers reflecting the decor of the era. The old iron foundry (1901) industrial architectural building containing remains of a british powder magazine. See a famous scale model of Québec (1806) and several exhibits: Historic characters in period costumes, guided tours and CD TOUR audio guide available.

Fortifications of Québec The imposing rampart surrounding the city on a distance of some 4.6 kilometres (2.9 miles) were declared an historic monument in 1957. A path complete with interpretation signs allows visitors to walk along the walls and become acquainted with the evolution of the defense system of the last fortified city in North America. Visit the Esplanade Powder Magazine, one of the few, entirely restored powder magazine still existing in Québec and the interpretation centre of the fortifications of Québec which describes the history of the city's defense system. Take a guided walking tour (90 minutes) along the walls and gates surrounding the Vieux-Québec to learn about its history and see unique panoramas and sites of the fortified city.