We took many pictures today, so this just a sampling of our photography skills and exerpiences of the day. We took a couple of walking tours using a book on Quebec. We found some interesting things along the way, learned a bit about Canadian history, and saw some beautiful places in Quebec.
This is a picture of Rue du Petit-Champlain from above. This is part of the lower city, just outside the city wall along the river. It is a walking-only street, much as it would have appeared in 1750, lined with shops and eateries.
This is solid brick wall, painted in a style called trompel'oeil, meaning trick the eye. It is a fun representation of the history of Quebec, with 18th Century figures combined with people of today. Click on the image for a better view and examine this artistic style. 
The City of Old Quebec is protected by a stone wall, and sits on top of a cliff. Between 1760-1800, the British conquered the French in North America and Canada became part of the British Empire. Since the Brits are better at building fortifications, they added these big guns, and many more like these, to protect the city and control the river. No trade ships could move up or down the river without passing the big guns! Interestingly, they later added a fortress within the city wall called La Citadelle, which still houses a regiment of Canadian troops today. That fortress had mounted guns facing in all directions, in case the rebellion came from within the city and the conquered French citizens.
This image was taken from La Citadelle looking east along the river. It is easy to see Hotel Frontenac, the tall building on the left, the lower city near the river, and the St. Lawrence River looking east toward the Atlantic Ocean. Years ago, Quebec was the largest North American seaport.
The city wall and an entry gate from the rest of Quebec City. It appears that Old Quebec once had about 5-6 gates in and out of the protected city. There are a few more today. This entry point faces west toward downtown Quebec and allows traffic through on Rue Saint Louis. By the standards of the day, Old Quebec was a strong fortification and a safe place to live.
3 comments:
Wow Quebec really demonstrates how unprotected and open our modern cities our today. What a big difference in formats! Nice pictures too. I like the trompe'loie (I don't remember how to spell it) painting.
That wall is the craziest thing!
Our girls loved Quebec City when they were younger: all the street artists and musicians. I think your B & B is one of the ones we have stayed at over the years -- Ste. Genevieve area, right? Once we stayed in a 300-year convent-turned-hotel. What fun it is to see you traverse "our" stomping grounds! And fun (for me and Lee) to see your daughters following your voyage, as well. Sorry about the rain. That's what the Northeast does at least once a week throughout the year. Glad about the cool weather for you, though.
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