My introduction to Vieux-Québec (Old Québec) was at night…
Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
After a very fun, scenic, and easy three-hour train ride from Montréal on VIA Rail Canada, I arrived in Old Québec, a walled section of Québec City, around 9:00pm. While it turns out that I could have easily walked from the train station to my hotel (or any other hotel in Old Québec, for that matter), I was kindly provided with a limousine service (Groupe Limo Québec) and taken to my hotel (Hȏtel Clarendon).
Le Chateau Frontenac in the background of busy streets
During the ride, I immediately noticed how busy the streets were in Old Québec, even at that time of night. People were walking around, crowds were gathering to watch street performers and to listen to street musicians, and many shops and restaurants were open. It was the place to be!
windows and doors of an old-looking building
After settling in my hotel, I decided to join the crowds. I grabbed my camera and started strolling around. I first happened upon a huge group of people being entertained by a juggler. Fun, especially for the kids.
Betty Boop stocking in Christmas store
A store filled with Christmas ornaments, decorations, trees, and stockings was open, even in August. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” serenaded me as I explored. Several other types of shops were open, some which I went in, others I did some window shopping. I peeked at restaurant menus out of curiosity. (I was not hungry though, as I was provided with a delicious dinner on my VIA Rail Canada train ride.)
Le Chateau Frontenac
Then the lit-up Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral caught my eye, and started me on a night-time photography spree, taking shots of various buildings, and playing around with the settings on my camera. The enormous hotel, Le Château Frontenac, which is quite possibly Canada’s most photographed building, became the subject of many of my pictures. A building with a clock tower, and windows and doors of an old-looking building, which by day had light blue window frames and darker blue shutters, were subjects of other shots.
A building with a clock tower
A light rain began during my evening, but I didn’t let this stop me. (I just needed to protect my camera.) The crowds thinned out, and even though the rain eventually stopped, the streets were much quieter. I continued to walk around, looking at stores, listening to music, taking pictures, and really enjoying my night in Old Québec.
Sweet Travels (even at night)!
This trip was provided to me courtesy of Montréal Tourism, Québec City Tourism, and VIA Rail Canada, which brought me from Montréal to Québec City (links to all below).
Related blogs:
Montréal and Québec City: Watching the world go by on on VIA Rail Canada.
Montréal: Endless, Nonstop, and Unlimited…In a Good Way (Part One)
Montréal: Endless, Nonstop, and Unlimited…In a Good Way (Part Two)
Québec City: Simply The Best
Québec City: Île d’Orléans
Québec City: Érico Choco-Musée
Montréal: Jardin Botanique, Insectarium, Biodȏme, & Parc Olympique
General Travel Information:
VIA Rail Canada
Québec City and Area
Tourisme Québec
Bonjour Québec
Tourisme-Montréal