June 14, 2024 Canada’s Oldest City

While visiting the national parks in Alberta last year, we got used to seeing signs in English and French. And after a couple conversations with native Canadians from Alberta and Saskatchewan, we got the notion that visiting Quebec would be extra challenging for English-speaking tourists, because supposedly all signs are in French and not English. Indeed, the idea that Quebecers, or should I say Quebecois are unfriendly to the American visitors whose first (and often only) language is English was also pondered as we prepared for the language barriers we would certainly encounter.

To the contrary, our six days in Quebec went smoothly as far as navigating the streets and highways, exchanging American dollars for loonies and toonies, and speaking with most anyone living there. And this includes the minor mishap when I thought I’d try my translation app and lay some French on the owner of our campground. After reacting to my incoherent requests with utter confusion, she and I and her husband who walked in on the middle of the entire conversation had a good laugh after I realized I accidentally set the translator to Catalan.

The international speedbump encountered with my campground host (who spoke English by the way) notwithstanding, at most every turn we were reminded that we were in North America – not Europe. Even while walking the narrow cobblestone streets of old Quebec or having a beer in the oldest bar in the city, we were in Canada. The Quebecers we encountered take pride in their French ancestry, but also in their Canadian heritage. It’s all good in Quebec, eh.

Nevertheless, Quebec City is a Canadian city that is special. Founded in 1608, it is one of North America’s oldest European settlements and build along the banks of the great St Lawrence River. The name ‘Quebec’ is translated from the Algonquin word ‘Kebec’ which means ‘where the river narrows’. Built on the north bank of the river, Old Quebec is built high on Cap Diamant, a promontory that is separated from the lower end of the old city by a very steep slope. This escarpment once posed a challenge to those traveling between the upper and lower town because of the risk of rockfall.

You can imagine that walking around old Quebec City can be a workout, but it is the best way to experience it. With 400 years of history, there is much to see in the most intact fortified town north of Mexico that has retained its colonial architecture but also presents a vibrantly modern and international feel to it as well. Enjoy the photographs which reveal much more about Quebec City and its surrounding areas.

 We visited the city twice over two days. On the first day, we took a bus tour that gave us a nice overview of the old city but also brought us to Montmorency Falls, a mile or so north of the old city along the St Lawrence River. Montmorency Falls is 272 feet tall, 99 feet more than Niagara Falls. If you plan to visit Quebec City, we highly recommend staying at Camping transit if you are in an RV. Save your driving for day trips along the St Lawrence River.