{"id":14923,"date":"2016-06-01T09:31:11","date_gmt":"2016-06-01T09:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"\/inspire\/?p=14923"},"modified":"2017-12-11T21:41:51","modified_gmt":"2017-12-11T21:41:51","slug":"exploring-quebec-city-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/exploring-quebec-city-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Quebec City in Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Qu\u00e9bec City is a year-round destination, it comes alive each summer with an authentic European feel even though it is just across the U.S. border in Canada. We\u2019ve partnered with wanderer and blogger Susan Lanier-Graham of Wander With Wonder<\/a> to explore the food, fun and history of Qu\u00e9bec City.<\/em><\/p>\n

There is so much world to explore that I seldom return to the same place more than once. Except for Qu\u00e9bec City in Canada. I’ve visited Qu\u00e9bec numerous times, in all seasons, and my favorite time to explore is summer. Come along as I share some of the best of summer in Qu\u00e9bec City.<\/p>\n

UNESCO World Heritage Treasure<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Old Qu\u00e9bec is the heart of Qu\u00e9bec City<\/a> and a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with authentic European charm. The city, founded in the 1600s, sits on the banks of the massive Saint Lawrence River. While the majority of people today speak French, which is the official language, you won’t have any problems as an English speaker.<\/p>\n

The old walled city \u2014 the only walled city north of Mexico \u2014 is perfect to explore on foot. As you meander the narrow cobbled streets, it is easy to see why millions of people visit each year.<\/p>\n\"Quebec<\/a>\n

Old Qu\u00e9bec is a walled city. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

One of the best ways to see Old Qu\u00e9bec and explore the history and architecture is with a walking tour. Tours Voir Qu\u00e9bec<\/a> offers a two-hour English tour that takes you to some of the best places in the old town.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-Fort<\/a>\n

Tours Voir Qu\u00e9bec meets at the Qu\u00e9bec Tourism Information Centre. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

The tour starts at the center of Old Qu\u00e9bec in the tourism information centre across from the world-renowned Fairmont Chateau Frontenac<\/a>.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-Old<\/a>\n

Old Qu\u00e9bec with Chateau Frontenac on the hillside. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

Explore the quaint streets and wander through Place Royal, the square that was home to the first permanent French settlement in North America. Just off the historic square, experience a step back in time with the Old World architecture along Rue du Petit-Champlain.<\/p>\n

You will likely stop in your tracks on C\u00f4te de la Montagne when you first glimpse the massive Fresque des Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois mural. This impressive work of art made me do a double-take. Is it real or is it art? The mural shows the story of Qu\u00e9bec City with a mix of yesterday and today. Even if you don’t recognize the historic Canadian figures, you’ll love the intricate life that comes alive in the life-size mural.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-La<\/a>\n

Fresque des Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois mural shows the city’s history. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/i><\/p>\n

Stretched along the Saint Lawrence River just out of Old Qu\u00e9bec is the Plains of Abraham. This beautiful park, often billed as the Central Park of Qu\u00e9bec City, is part of Battlefields Park and home of the Citadelle built in the early 1800s as Britain’s largest fortress in North America.<\/p>\n

Across from the Plains of Abraham is Parliament Hill, home to Qu\u00e9bec’s government. A beautiful fountain, Fontaine de Tourny, sits outside the Parliament Building. Originally built in Bordeaux, France in the 1850s, the fountain made its way to the city somewhat by chance. A Qu\u00e9bec businessman, Peter Simons, found it in a Parisian flea market and shipped it back to Canada in 2003. After he had the fountain restored, he presented it to the city to celebrate Qu\u00e9bec’s 400th birthday.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-Fontaine<\/a>\n

Fontaine de Tourny sits on Parliament Hill. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

The massive Parliament Building, inspired by the Louvre Palace in France, opened in 1886. Be sure to wander the Parliament Gardens<\/a> in front of the building. The gardens not only offer a great place to relax and unwind, but are filled with native plants and a collection of edible plants and herbs used in dishes served at Le Parlementaire Restaurant inside the Parliament Building. These urban gardens are pesticide and insecticide free, offering a perfect environment for the honey bees sitting atop many buildings in Qu\u00e9bec City.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-Parliament<\/a>\n

Qu\u00e9bec’s Parliament Building. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

A Foodie’s Paradise in Qu\u00e9bec City<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Old Qu\u00e9bec is filled with a selection of culinary treats. From chocolate shops and old markets to caf\u00e9s and fine dining establishments, Qu\u00e9bec City is a foodie’s delight.<\/p>\n

While wandering downtown, pop into J.A. Moisan<\/a>, the city’s oldest grocery store that opened in 1871. This still-operating market is a bit of a living museum. Products from Canada, from maple products and chocolates to cheese and local wines, fill the aisles. There are great photos from the past and you can pick up tasty treats at the same time. The deli counter is simply amazing with the most magnificent meats and cheeses.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-JAMoisan\"<\/a>\n

The Deli at J.A. Moisan. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

When you finish at the market, head across the street to Erico Chocolatier<\/a>. One side of the building houses a small museum that shares the history of artisan chocolate making, while the other side is filled with an array of handcrafted chocolates. My favorite chocolate bites were the Africa<\/em> (Tanzania chocolate fondant with raw cocoa nibs), Balsamique<\/em> (balsamic vinegar and berries in bitter-sweet chocolate ganache), and Fraises de I’\u00eele<\/em> (white chocolate vanilla ganache topped with strawberry pur\u00e9e). But with dozens to choose from, I’m sure I could find some new favorites on the next visit.<\/p>\n

For something completely different, head to La Fudgerie<\/a> boutique in the Petit-Champlain area. When you approach the shop, it looks as if there are sausages hanging in the windows. But this is not a meat shop. They are fudge<\/em> sausages. While there are hundreds of flavors, the clear favorite is a classic chocolate and maple, proudly saluting that classic Canadian staple. I personally preferred the chocolate with whiskey and Caf\u00e9 Mocha.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-La<\/a>\n

La Fudgerie is filled with chocolate sausages. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

As you wander the streets of Old Qu\u00e9bec during the summer months, be sure to stop by the Old Port Market or Le March\u00e9 du Vieux-Port de Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>. While it is open year round, the summer months mean you can get some of the fresh produce from nearby \u00cele d’Orl\u00e9ans. This island in the Saint Lawrence River is just minutes from Qu\u00e9bec City, but a world away. The rural area is filled with gorgeous orchards, so be sure to grab some of the apples you’ll find for sale in the market.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-apples\"<\/a>\n

Apples in the Old Port Market. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

You will also want to savor the strawberries that come from \u00cele d’Orl\u00e9ans. I have never tasted such sweet strawberries. When I walked into the market, the aroma of fresh berries had my mouth watering. The gorgeous berries were even better tasting than they smelled and they lived up to the promise of being the best strawberries in the world.<\/p>\n\"Quebec-Strawberries<\/a>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

When you are ready for dinner, there are so many great choices that you’ll be wanting dinner more than once a day. Try Tournebroche<\/a>, an organic farm-to-table bistro that serves a selection of Qu\u00e9bec specialties with a twist. The rotisserie Guinea fowl is quite simply perfect and watching the organic, local chickens baking in the kitchen is a real treat.<\/p>\n

L\u00e9gende by La Tani\u00e8re<\/a> blends the history of the local First Nations people with modern culinary genius. I had one of the best meals anywhere at L\u00e9gende. It features those classic First Nations tastes for which Canada is famous \u2014 char, mackerel, piglet, bison, duck, and pork. The flavors were so earthy and bold, that it made for one of my most satisfying meals in the city.<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9bec City is a city of romance and charm. It feels like a quaint European village, yet it is a vibrant North American city and one of my favorite summer destinations for wandering.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Quebec is the best city in the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":14930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[16,29,168,36,41,61,95,97,137,140],"class_list":["post-14923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history-and-culture","tag-architecture","tag-cafes","tag-canada","tag-chocolate","tag-culture","tag-historical","tag-river","tag-romantic","tag-tours","tag-UNESCOsite"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nExploring Quebec City in Summer - Inspire | Travelocity.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking for a new destination to explore this summer that only feels worlds away? Visit Quebec City! 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