Bonjour, Québec! --- SATURDAY, September, 17, 2022

Awww! Quebec City. Canada's most charming little gem. 

It's so nice to be back here after more than two decades - I visited it once, when I first came to Canada. 

We started the day walk in Old Quebec. 

It definitely feels like Europe.

The crew up high.

FROM WIKIPEDIA: The ramparts of Quebec City is a city wall that surrounds the western end of Old Quebec's Upper Town in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The ramparts date back to the 17th century, with the ramparts having undergone a succession of modifications and improvements throughout their history. The city walls extend 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi), with the southern portions of the ramparts forming a part of the Citadelle of Quebec.

The ramparts were first built in 1690 in order to defend the Upper Town of Quebec City. In 1745, the walls were rebuilt further west, modelled after designs created by Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry. The ramparts withstood several sieges during the mid-18th century, with British forces holding out in the walled city during the French siege of Quebec in 1760, and the American siege of Quebec in 1775. From the 1820s to 1830s, the British expanded and improved the ramparts and the rest of the city's defensive network. However, by the late 19th century, several deteriorating facilities associated with Quebec City's fortifications were demolished, although the primary defences remained. 

The city's defence complex, including its ramparts, were designated as the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site in 1948. In addition to the ramparts, the national historic site also includes the Citadelle and the Lévis Forts. The ramparts, alongside the rest of Old Quebec, were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985; with the area serving as the only intact example of a fortified colonial settlement in North America north of Mexico.

How cute is this building?

Traditional horse and carriage for tours.

The magnificent Le Château Frontenac

FROM WIKIPEDIA: The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, commonly referred to as the Château Frontenac, is a historic hotel in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The hotel is situated in Old Quebec, within the historic district's Upper Town, on the southern side of Place d'Armes. The Château Frontenac was designed by Bruce Price, and was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway company. The hotel is managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

Opened in 1893, the Châteauesque-styled building has 18 floors; its 79.9-metre (262-foot) height is augmented by the 54 m (177 ft) elevation it sits at. It is one of the first completed grand railway hotels, and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981. The hotel was expanded on three occasions, with the last major expansion taking place in 1993.

The view of the St. Lawrence River.

Sister love.

Walking down from the Frontenac, there is probably the cutest street in Canada: rue de Petit-Champlain, with little French stores, restaurants, cafes and street artists. A delight!

FROM WIKIPEDIA: Rue du Petit-Champlain (English: Little Champlain Street) is a street in the Canadian city of Quebec City, Quebec. It is located in the Petit Champlain commercial district, at the foot of Cap Diamant, and contains many boutique shops. Quartier du Petit Champlain is claimed to be the oldest commercial district in North America. It is named for Samuel de Champlain, who founded Quebec City in 1608.

Rue du Petit-Champlain is around 0.16 miles (0.26 km) long, and runs from its convergence with Rue Sous-le-Fort in the north to Boulevard Champlain in the south. A popular viewing point of the street, the Breakneck Stairs (or Breakneck Steps), are located at the northern end of the street.

Around halfway along the street, on its western side, is Parc Félix-Leclerc.

The western side of the street contains frontages of buildings, in the shadow of Cap Diamant to their rears, whereas the rears of the buildings facing Boulevard Champlain occupy the eastern side.

A fresco painted on the side of the building at number 102 is a trompe-l'œil measuring 100m² (900 ft²). It represents the history of the district, the bombardments of 1759, the landslides, and the fires which have occurred in the district.

FROM WIKIPEDIA: Just beyond the steps is the lower entrance of the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, an electric cableway established in 1879. It takes passengers up and down Cap Diamant to and from Dufferin Terrace, beside the Château Frontenac. It climbs at a 45-degree angle, covering a total distance of 64 metres (210 ft).

Sofia took the opportunity to feel like a real French Girl. 

She finally got her so wanted French beret in a local shop, with the nice help from a local business woman. 

THIS is happiness!

Le Château Frontenac at night.

We took the ferry to the other side, to Levis. Although there was absolutely nothing happening in this sleepy town, it was nice to have a view of Old Quebec at night. 

It's a nice little trip to do in a warm evening.

  Good night, Quebec City!