Quebec has a population of 8.3 million, with most of the people living in and around the two major cities, Montreal, and Quebec City.
Ruth and I both grew up in Ottawa which is located in Ontario, but right on the Quebec border at the Ottawa River. So we would often take day trips into Quebec, and we have several times driven across the province while heading to Canada's east coast.
Quebec.
There's a lot to see in Quebec and it's a worthwhile tourist destination. Unfortunately not many Americans visit the province, probably because French is the predominant language.
Canada is an officially bilingual country, however the province of Quebec has decided that its culture and heritage supersede that, and almost everything is done in French. Road signs, business signs, menus... are all in French. Quebec is the one part of Canada you can visit where you feel like you're in a different country.
Perce Rock, Quebec.
The two major cities are easy to visit though. English is fairly common in the city of Montreal, with 24% of the population coming from an English speaking background. Quebec City is certainly more French, but English will be spoken in tourist areas, as is the case in the tourist areas of most foreign countries.
We've been to both Montreal and Quebec City, and while each city is worth a visit, we like Quebec City better. It has a very European feel to it, while Montreal just comes across as another big city to us.
Quebec City.
Quebec City.
Montreal.
Next up, New Brunswick!
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Love the old world charm of the buildings in Quebec! One of my favorite places as a kid was Victoria, B.C. with all it's elegant architecture. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo did we! There is some beautiful scenery in Quebec as well. One day we want to go and explore on the north side of the St. Lawrence River we have hear that it is a wonderful area full of nature.
DeleteI think you meant to say "not many Americans" instead of "not any Americans".
ReplyDeleteYes, corrected thanks. Although, I wasn't that far off...
DeleteI'd love to visit Quebec City and Montreal. I watched the food channel and saw some good eateries. I've been to BC but none of the others except to drive across the bridge at Niagara into the Canadian side of the falls. OMG hot dog was like $6.00 so we went back to the car and raided the picnic chest that had our turkey sandwiches and drinks for lunch.
ReplyDeleteYes, the food there is supposed to be really good but you know us and we pretty frugal so we also make our own meals, we can't afford to eat out at those prices.
DeleteI've always wanted to go to Montreal...if only fares were cheaper in Canada, instead I can go to Greece for the same amount of money so it may be many more years before I get there. Hubby got to go there on a short business trip and said it felt just like Europe, loved it. I had a French friend who used to bring me back smoked bagels from Montreal, simply the best in all of the world
ReplyDeleteI know, it is crazy when it costs as much to travel in Canada by air as it does to travel abroad. We don't blame you for flying to Greece for a visit! :-) Luckily for us traveling in the motorhome allows us to explore all of Canada at our own pace.
DeleteYes, Montreal is well known for their bagels and smoked meat.
Also everyone who visited us from Montreal had to get me a dozen egg rolls, freeze them the night before travel and I would eat them with glee in the following days! It took me along time to get used to pizza here in BC, pizzas were different in Montreal.
DeleteDon't think we have ever had egg rolls or pizza from Montreal but we will take your word on them being good. Have to say though that the Golden Palace in Ottawa made the best egg rolls that we ever had! We have heard that people will actually order them and have them shipped to where ever they live now because they are that good.
DeleteWe had a great visit to Quebec City many years ago. You aren't kidding about the French everywhere. We were riding the tram to the Olympic Village. Oh dear, everything was in French. Thank goodness we met a guy on the ride that saw we were confused and asked us if we spoke French. NO! was our answer. He spoke great English and helped us find our way around.
ReplyDeleteWe loved Quebec City and would love to go back there again and see more of it and the surrounding area. Yep, french is very prominent there but don't let it scare you off, just like traveling anywhere in the world you can get by with English but it helps to learn a few of the basic words and it shows that you are trying and people always appreciate that.
DeleteWe visited old Quebec City when our daughter was about 11 and it's definitely time to return. Like you, we prefer Vieux Quebec over Montreal - we visited it a number of times while our daughter attended university.
ReplyDeleteI think it is because Quebec City is small and has a much more laid back and personal feel to it compared to Montreal which is very interesting but is much busier and feels more closed in.
DeleteWe are from California and Montreal is the only place in Canada that we visit.
ReplyDeleteEvery summer the city is full of activities and festivals. One we love is the Francofolies which is a ten day French themed music event that fills the downtown area every evening. Streets are closed off and there are stages everywhere with music from all over the world. Best of all for you guys - it's all free!
It's about time that you go out and explore a few more places in Canada you might find one that you like even better than Montreal. :-)
DeleteThat music festival sounds like a lot of fun, but then again many cities have different festivals where they close streets and is free. The Buskers Festival is one that we always enjoyed in Ottawa. Maybe one day when we don't have to work in the summer we may try to catch this one in Montreal and see what it is all about, thank you.