About
Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second largest city in the province, after Montreal. Quebec City is about 233 kilometers (145 mi) away from Montreal. The ramparts surrounding Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) are the only remaining fortified city walls in the Americas north of Mexico and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 as the "Historic District of Old Quebec". It is also one of the oldest cities in North America (founded in 1608). French is spoken by 80% of the population and it has a very European feel to it.
Quebec City has an International reputation for its Summer Festival, Winter Carnival and the Château Frontenac, a hotel which dominates the city skyline. Museums include the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (National Museum of Fine Arts) and the Musée de la civilisation (Museum of Civilization) both can be found within or near Vieux-Québec.
The Summer Festival provides a venue for a variety of musical styles including rock, punk, hip-hop, classical, francophone and world music. There is something for everyone. Bars and nightclubs throughout the city complement the selection by offering jazz, world and electronic music, and “arts de la rue,” offer street performers abound. There is even a site that hosts animation and events for families.
The Winter Carnival starts on the last Friday of January or the first Friday of February and lasts for 17 days. Bonhomme Carnaval a giant snowman with an arrow sash around his waste is the official ambassador of the festivities. There are many activities to take part in, including outdoor dance parties, an auction and all manor of winter sports as the Place Desjardins is turned into a giant outdoor winter amusement park.
Other tourist attractions you might want to check out near the city are Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, in the town of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.
