Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, old-world charm and architectural ambience tempered with modern amenities are what makes Québec, Canada, always romantic, always charming (toujours romantique, toujours charmant). Samuel de Champlain founded Québec City in 1608, it is the oldest city in North America, and although France signed the Treaty of Paris in 1763 ceding Canada to Britain, Québec retains its strong French heritage and feeling, and the official language is French.

Where to Stay 

To appreciate Québec City's pride in their French heritage, we stayed at the family-owned 289-room Hôtel Château Laurier, where the focus is on being "Francoresponsible," a term coined by Steve de Champlain, Sales and Marketing Director of the hotel, and it is the first "Francoresponsible" hotel outside Europe to provide guests with an authentic French experience. However, if you do not speak French, it is not a problem; the hotel employees are bi-lingual in French and in English. 

Hôtel Château Laurier 

Centrally located in Old Québec, the hotel promotes French culture and introduces guests "to the wonders of the Francophonie - the French-speaking countries and communities worldwide." In keeping with their theme of being "Francoresponsible" there is a Francophonie flag above the main entrance of the hotel, piped-in French music plays throughout the hotel in the public spaces, in the guestrooms there are French music CDs and the radios are programmed to French-language stations. The hotel provides complimentary French newspapers in the comfortable lobby, and offers complimentary passes for guests to experience the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques, and the Musée de Amérique française. 

Reception

Edward and I stayed at the hotel in August 2011, and were steps away from the Grande Allée that has the appeal of the Champs Elysée in Paris with its many sidewalk cafés and restaurants, and we appreciated that we were within walking distance of the many attractions of the city, of which we readily explored. 

Guestroom

Our spacious guestroom had a gas fireplace perfect for creating a romantic ambience; in-room amenities included a large flatscreen television, AM FM Radio Alarm and CD player with a French music CD, coffee machine with organic fair-trade coffee and tea, two telephones with voicemail, two robes, an iron and ironing board, mini-refrigerator, a safe large enough to accommodate our laptop and still have ample room for other personal items, and complimentary high-speed Internet access. 

The hotel's many relaxing amenities include a Fitness Center open 24/7, an indoor saltwater pool and Finish Sauna conveniently open from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm, two outdoor year-round Spas located in the inner courtyard surrounded by gardens, and their Bioterra Urban Health Spa, where we indulged in revitalizing massages. 

Inner Courtyard 

Other amenities include a Business Center, complimentary international newspapers in French and in English in the lobby, and the St-Hubert Restaurant, which serves breakfast from 6:30 am until 10:00 am on weekdays, and from 7:00 am until 11:00 am on weekends, where we had hearty breakfasts before venturing out to explore the city.  

Read about the Hôtel Château Laurier in the Hotels and Resorts section and about the Bioterra Urban Health Spa in the Spas section. 

Please the Hôtel Château Laurier website for additional information, www.HotelChateauLaurier.com.  

Hôtel Château Laurier
1220, Place George-V Ouest
Québec (Québec) G1R 5B8
Canada
Telephone:   +1-418-522-8108
Toll Free:      1-877-522-8108 (Canada and USA)
Fax:              +1-418-524-8768
Email:           This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it     
Website:      www.HotelChateauLaurier.com   

Sights and Attractions 

Located a short stroll from the Hôtel Château Laurier is the Observatoire de la Capitale, where we had the opportunity to see the myriad of architectural styles and the layout of this historic city from the wraparound wall of windows.

View from Observatory 

The Observatory is the tallest building in Québec, stands 725 feet above sea level, has 31-floors, and provides 360-degree panoramic views of the city, as well as views of the Appalachian Mountains and the Laurentians. As points of reference, the Empire State Building in New York City has 102-floors, and the John Hancock Building in Chicago has 100-floors.

View from Observatory 

The Observatoire de la Capitale is open daily from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm from February 1 - mid-October, and from Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm from mid-October - February 1. Admission: Adults: $10.00, Seniors (65+): $8.00, Students: $8.00, Children (12 and under): Free.  

Please visit their website for additional information, www.ObservatoireCapitale.org. 

Observatoire de la Capitale
Édifice Marie-Guyart
1037, rue De La Chevrotière, 31st Floor
Québec, (Québec) G1R 5E9
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-644-9841
Toll-Free:      +1-888-497-4322
Fax:               +1-418-644-2879
Email:            This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   
Website:       www.ObservatoireCapitale.org    

A little farther down the street is the impressive Hôtel du Parliament (Parliament Building) designed by Eugène-Étienne Taché and built between the years 1877 and 1886, where we stopped to admire the stunning building with its 26 statues on the façade, four wings, and a crown at the top of the building, lit when Parliament is in session.  

Hôtel du Parliament  

Directly in front of Parliament is the Tourny Fountain, created in 1852 to celebrate running water in Bordeaux. The Simons family (of Maison Simons Department store) purchased the fountain in France and had it shipped to Canada to present to the City to celebrate Québec' 400th anniversary in 2008. 

Guided Tours of the Hôtel du Parliament are conducted Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm, with additional hours between June 24 and Labour Day. Tours are also offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm. Admission and Guided Tours of the Parliament and the National Assembly Library is free. 

Please visit the Hôtel du Parliament website for additional information, www.Assnat.qc.ca. 

Hôtel du Parliament
1045, rue de Parlementaires
Québec, (Québec) G1A 1A3
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-643-7239
Toll Free:      +1-888-337-8837
Website:       www.Assnat.qc.ca   

We continued our education on the history of Québec at the Musée de Amérique française, which focuses on the "birth of French culture in North America. The Centre's goal is to bring together the Francophones and Francophiles of the Americas while highlighting and promoting a community that can ensure the future of the French language in a culturally diverse milieu."

Musée de Amérique française 

The Musée de Amérique française is open daily from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm from June 24 - September 7, and for the rest of the year, they are open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. The museum is closed on Monday and December 25. Admission: Adults: $8.00, Seniors (65+ with ID): $7.00, Students (17+ with ID): $5.50, Children (12 - 16): $2.00, Children (11 and under): Free. Tuesday from November 1 - May 31: Admission is free; Saturday during the months of January and February, admission is free from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. 

Please visit the Musée de Amérique française website for additional information, www.MCQ.org. 

Musée de Amérique française
2, côte de la Fabrique
Québec, (Québec) G1R 4R7
Canada
Telephone:  +1-418-692-2843
Toll Free:     +1-888-710-8031
Fax:             +1-418-646-9705
Website:      www.MCQ.org    

We also visited the Centre d‘interprétation de Place-Royale located in the heart of Place Royal where we got into the spirit of Old Québec by trying on period costumes and hats and posing for photos. 

Edward in Costume  

The Centre d‘interprétation de Place-Royale is closed on Monday, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. During the summer months (June until early September) the museum is open daily from 9:30 am until 5:00 pm. Admission is charged. Adults: $7.00, Seniors (65 and over, with card): $6.00, Students (17 and over, with card): $5.00, Children (12 to 16): $2.00, and Children (under 12): free.  

Exhibit

Please visit the Centre d‘interprétation de Place-Royale website for additional information, www.MCQ.org. 

Centre d‘interprétation de Place-Royale

Centre d‘interprétation de Place-Royale
27, rue Notre-Dame
Québec (Québec) G1K 8R5
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-646-3167
Toll-Free:      1-866-710-8031 (North America)
Fax:              +1-418-646-9705
Website:       www.MCQ.org/

Located just off the Place Royal is Maison Chevalier, once the home of Jean-Baptiste Chevalier (1752). Now a museum, the stunning stone façade building faces the Saint-Lawrence River and provides an interesting view of the times with furnishings and clothing from the 18th century on the first floor, and on the upper floor, 19th century "popular and bourgeois" furniture and household items. 

Maison Chevalier

A few of the many highlights of the museum that we enjoyed seeing during our visit were the ballet slippers (1835), purse (1850), and dance card from the first half of the 19th century, along with the Louis-Philippe boat bed (1825-1850) that was made in France. The descriptions of the exhibitions are provided in English and French.

The Maison Chevalier is open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and is closed on Monday. Admission: Free.

Please visit the Maison Chevalier website for additional information, www.MCQ.org.

Maison Chevalier
At the corner of rue de Cul-de-Sac and rue Notre-Dame
Québec, (Québec) G1K 4H3
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-643-2158
Toll-Free:      +1-866-710-8031 (Canada and United States)
Website:        ww.MCQ.org   

There are three ways to reach the top of the old fortification part of the city, by car, walking up the steep stairs, or by taking a short funicular ride. We opted to ride the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, which has been in operation since 1879, has a height of 195 feet (59.4 m), length of 210 feet (64 m), with an angle of 45-degrees. 

Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec 

We entered through the Maison Louis Jolliet, built in 1683, and boarded the glass-enclosed car that provided us with excellent views of the Saint-Lawrence River and the city, and also helped us conserve our energy for exploring.

View from Funiculaire 

The Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, Inc is open daily from 7:30 am - 11:00 pm, with extended hours in summer. Admission: $2.00 one-way.

Please visit the  Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec website for additional information, www.Funiculaire-Quebec.com.

Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, Inc.
16, Petit-Champlain
Québec, (Québec) G1K 4H4
Canada
Email:        This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    
Website:   www.Funiculaire-Quebec.com   

Québec has a long religious history beginning with the arrival of the Récollets in 1615, followed by the Jesuits in 1625, the Augustines and the Ursalines in 1639 who started the hospitals, and the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or the (Bon-Pasteur) Good Shepherd Sisters of Québec founded by Marie-Joseph Fitzbach in 1850. 

We visited the impressive Basilique-Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec, which has a long history dating to 1633. The cathedral has had subsequent fires throughout the years, however it has been beautifully restored and there are many points of interest including the hand-painted ceiling featuring a blue sky with clouds, an elaborate gilded sanctuary, and the many stained glass windows.  

Basilique-Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec 

Basilique-Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec opens daily at 9:00 am. 

Please visit the Basilique-Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec website for additional information, www.Patrimoine-Religieux.com. 

Basilique-Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec
16, rue De Buade
Québec (Québec) G1R 4A1
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-692-2533
Fax:               +1-418-692-4382
Website:        www.Patrimoine-Religieux.com   

We visited the interesting Musée Bon-Pasteur (Good Shepherd Museum) and learned how Marie-Joseph Fitzbach founded the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or the Good Shepherd Sisters of Québec, and was the first woman in Québec to found a religious order in Québec City. The Sisters' focus was "to meet the needs of excluded woman and abandoned children." 

Musée Bon-Pasteur

The Musée Bon-Pasteur is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Admission is charged. Adults $3.00, Seniors (65 and over): $2.00, Students (with ID card) $2.00, and Children (12 and under): Free. 

Please visit the Musée Bon-Pasteur website for additional information, www.MuseeBonPasteur.com. 

Musée Bon-Pasteur
Maison Béthanie
14, rue Couillard
Québec (Québec) G1R 3S9
Canada
Telephone:  +1-418-694-0243
Fax:             +1-418-694-6233
Email:          This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    
Website:     www.MuseeBonPasteur.com              

From our hotel window, we could see the Plains d'Abraham (Plains of Abraham, the Battlefields Park), one of the largest urban parks in the world. We enjoyed strolling through the park and stopping to admire the many statues, sculptures, and gardens, including the Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) garden. 

Just beyond the Plains of Abraham is the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (National Fine Arts Museum of Québec), an impressive museum that we always enjoy visiting whenever we are in Québec. 

Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec

During our visit, we had the opportunity to see the exquisite temporary exhibition, "Diaghilev's Ballets Russes - When Art Dances with Music" (June 9 - September 5, 2011). Sergei Diaghilve founded the dance company in 1909 and revolutionized the world of dance in twenty years. The exhibition included costumes, film excerpts of the ballets, costume sketches, and music to provide an intimate view into the world of this legendary man and his company. 

We also enjoyed the temporary exhibit, "Ying Gao - Art, Fashion and Technology" where the garments reacted to light, sound, and movement" (June 9 - August 28, 2011).

The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is open Monday - Sunday from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, and Wednesday from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm during the summer season: June 1 - Labor Day); and Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Wednesday from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm, and is closed on Monday during the Winter season: the day after Labor Day until May 31. Admission: Access to all Galleries housing the museum collection: Free. Temporary Exhibition Admission: Adults: $15.00, Seniors: $12.00, CAA/AAA/ARP: $13.00, Students (with ID under age 30): $7.00, Youth: (12 -17): $4.00, Family: $30.00 (Up to 2 Adults and 3 Children Ages 12-17), Children under 12: Free. 

Please visit the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec website for additional information, www.MNBA.qc.ca . 

Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
Parc des Champs-de-Bataille
Québec, (Québec) G1R 5H3
Canada
Telephone:  +1-418-643-2150
Toll Free:   +1-866-220-2150 (North America)
Email:         This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   
Website:    www.MNBA.qc.ca

To appreciate the beauty of the city from the water, we took a short ferry ride on the Québec-Lévis Ferry, where we had a wonderful view of the impressive Château Frontenac as well as the skyline. 

View from Québec-Lévis Ferry  

The 10-minute ride each way on the ferry traverses the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers thereby connecting Québec to the shore of Lévis. 

Debra and Edward Enjoying the Boat Ride 

The Québec-Lévis Ferry operates daily year-round. One-Way Fares: Adults (Ages 12 - 64): $3.00, Seniors (65 and older): $2.80, Ages 5 - 12: $2.00, Ages 4 and under: Free. Special fares for vehicles and bicycles.  

Please visit the Québec-Lévis Ferry website for additional information, www.Traversiers.Gouv.qc.ca 

Québec-Lévis Ferry
10, rue des Travesiers
Québec, (Québec) G1K 8L8
Canada
Telephone:   +1-418-643-2150
Fax:              +1-418-643-5178
Email:           This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    
Website:      www.Traversiers.Gouv.qc.ca   

What could be more romantic than experiencing Québec by a horse-drawn carriage through its cobblestone streets? We took a 45-minute ride with Les Calèches de la Nouvelle-France, where Vincent Breton, our charming and knowledgeable coachman and his horse, Lolitta, picked up us directly in front of our hotel.

Coachman Vincent Breton 

Taking a carriage ride gave us a new perspective of the Historic District of Old Quebec, a UNESCO world heritage site. Although we had been to Québec previously and had walked along Rue du Corps-de-Garde many times, we never noticed the cannonball wedged into the base of a tree until Vincent pointed it out to us, as well as the attractive green fountains located in four parts of the city, which are actually fountains created for use by the carriage horses. In addition, Vincent brought the history of the city to life with his interesting stories and historical facts. 

 
Cannonball in Base of Tree 

Les Calèches de la Nouvelle-France has three official boarding stations: Place d'Armes, in front of the Chateau Frontenac, at the Saint-Louis Gate, and at Esplanade Park at the corner of Sainte-Anne and d'Auteuil. 

Joan of Arc Statue 

Please visit the Les Calèches de la Nouvelle-France website for additional information, www.Calechesquebec.com.   

 
Debra and Edward Enjoying the Ride 

Les Calèches de la Nouvelle-France
1440, chemin Jean-Gauvin
Québec, (Québec) G1R 5H3
Canada
Telephone:   +1-418-692-0068
Fax:              +1-418-684-0068
Email:           This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it        
Website:      www.CalechesQuebec.com   

Special Festival Experiences 

Québec has year-round festivals and special events, and during our visit, we were fortunate to be able to experience a wide variety of them. 

Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France SAQ (SAQ New France Festival)

Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France SAQ celebrated its 15th anniversary from August 3 - 7, 2011, and we were there! "Organized as part of Québec City's 400th anniversary celebrations in 2008, the New France Festival was first held in 1997 at the behest of the Québec City municipal authorities who were looking to set a historic festival inspired by the lives of the first European settlers against the background of Old Québec." Since then, the festivities have grown encompassing many programs scheduled in various parts of the city including Place-Royal, Artillery Park, and the Market. 

Many residents, as well as visitors, got into the spirit of the festivities by donning period costumes that they created, rented, or purchased from the various street vendors. 

Edith Chartier 

The Église Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires, built between the years 1687 - 1688 is a lovely church located on Place-Royale whose details that include a high altar designed and created by David Ouellet in 1878, the votive offering of a replica of the ship La Brézé, the chapel of Saint Geneviève, paintings, and frescoes from 1888. 

Église Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires

However, this year, for the first time during Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France SAQ, there was a marriage ceremony at the Église Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires. Simon Lemelin and Amélie-Anne Blais celebrated their love and their marriage dressed in period clothing with a traditional ceremony that dated to 1703. What a thrill for the spectators to experience the wedding ceremony. Congratulations to the newlyweds! 

The Kiss - Simon Lemelin and Amélie-Anne Blais

Read about Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France SAQ (SAQ New France Festival) in the Events section.

Église Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires
Place-Royale
Québec, (Québec)
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-692-1650
Fax:               +1-418-692-3546

Please visit the Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France SAQ (SAQ New France Festival) website for additional information, www.NouvelleFrance.qc.ca.

 
Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France SAQ (SAQ New France Festival)
290, rue Joly
Québec (Québec) G1L 1NB
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-694-3311
Toll-free:      1-866-391-FETE (3383)
Fax::             +1-418-626-7252
Website:      www.NouvelleFrance.qc.ca  

Les Chemins InvisiblesTM du Cirque du Soleil®

"For the last three years, Cirque du Soleil® has been investing in the Saint-Roch neighborhood, calling on various directors to draw inspiration from the Îlot Fleurie space to create a unique, innovative outdoor show. For 2011, Les Chemins InvisiblesTM du Cirque du Soleil presented a new theme (June 24 - September 3, 2011) created by Director Olivier Dufour, featuring new adventures in Le Royaume de Tôle. As the sun sets over the horizon, in his "royaume de tôle" (tin kingdom), the Emperor beckons all to take part in an out-of-the-ordinary urban cabaret." 

 
Cirque du Soleil - Tight Rope Walker 

An outdoor presentation under the Dufferin highway overpass in Quebec City's lower town district might seem a bit unusual, however since its inception, Cirque du Soleil® has enchanted audiences with its originality and daring, and sitting under a highway overpass was indeed different - and delightful. 

Cirque du Soleil - Balancing Act 

It was an exciting evening of aerialists, stilt walkers, acrobatics, fire jugglers, and live music presented on three stages, and it was free, although reserved seating was available, which we opted for, as there were more than 2,000 people in attendance.

Cirque du Soleil - Spinning Hoops 

Please visit the Les Chemins InvisiblesTM du Cirque du Soleil® website for additional information, www.CirqueduSoleil.com/en/events/chemins-invisibles/show.aspx.

End of Show 

Les Chemins InvisiblesTM du Cirque du Soleil®
222, rue Saint-Joseph Est
Québec (Québec) G1K 3A9
Canada
Website:   www.CirqueduSoleil.com/en/events/chemins-invisibles/show.aspx            

The Image Mill 3D - 2011 Edition

We also experienced The Image Mill 3D - 2011 Edition in the Vieux Port (Old Port) section of the city.where the the Bunge grain silo became the world's largest projection screen. It was interesting to see the silo during the day and then watch the presentation in the evening as it was magically transformed to "transport us through four centuries of Québec City history in four movements: waterways (recounting the days of Québec's discovery and exploration), road building (the period in which the land was cleared, then developed), rail expansion (the years of industrialization and railway construction), and air travel (the era of balloons, airplanes, and communications)." 

Bunge Grain Silos Before Show 

Please visit The Image Mill 3D website for additional information, www.Lacaserne.net/index2.php/other_projects/the_image_mill

The Image Mill 3D Show

The Image Mill 3D
103, rue Dalhousie
Québec (Québec) G1K 3A9
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-692-5323
Fax:               +1-418-692-2390
Website:        www.Lacaserne.net/index2.php/other_projects/the_image_mill/     

Les Grands Feux Loto-Québec (Loto-Québec International Fireworks)

Every year since 1995, during the months of July and August, the Québec, Canada sky over Montmorency Falls in the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency becomes a magnificence canvas for the Loto-Quebec International Fireworks Competition where five countries compete over the 2-month period. In 2011, the five countries competing were returning champion Spain, and new competitors, Russia, Portugal, Mexico, and Italy. 

We attended the competition on August 6, 2011, and had the opportunity to watch Italy's dynamic presentation of "Notte di fuoco" (Night of Fire). Italy was the first country to present at the first year of competition, and in 2011, Italy was the 100th fireworks presentation celebrating the 17th year of the international competition. 

It was an exciting evening that began with animation projected against the cascading Montmorency Falls that rise 272 feet (83 meters) and are 98.5 feet (30 meters) higher than Niagara Falls as a point of reference, followed by a pyromusical with fireworks orchestrated to a diverse musical program. 

Read about the Loto-Quebec International Fireworks Competition in the Events section. 

For information on visiting Parc de la Chute-Montmorency and Montmorency Falls, please visit the website: www.Sepaq.com/ChuteMontmorency.  

Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
2490, avenue Royale
Beauport, (Québec), Canada G1C 1S1
Telephone:   +1-418-663-3330
Fax:              +1-418-663-1214
Email:            This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:      www.Sepaq.com/ChuteMontmorency

For information on the Loto-Quebec International Fireworks Competition, please visit the website: www.LesGrandsFeux.com.  

Les Grands Feux Loto-Québec (Loto-Québec International Fireworks)
156, rue Saint Paul
Québec (Québec) G1K 3A9
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-692-3736
Fax:               +1-418-692-5650
Website:        www.LesGrandsFeux.com

Dining Experiences

L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif at the Loews Hôtel Le Corcorde Québec is a delicious dining adventure in the sky where Executive Chef Jean-Claude Crouzet and Sous Chef Pierre-Laurence Valton-Simard tempt your palate to complement the 360-degree panoramic view from the revolving restaurant located 600 feet above sea level.

L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif  

We had a wonderful dinner at L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif where the innovative recipes intrigued our palates and the presentations appealed to our eyes. A few of the many highlights included Roasted Bay Scallops with Fleur de Sel, Clove-Scented Candied Lemon and Spinach Salad; Roasted Salmon with Quinoa, Fresh Coriander Mousse, Tarragon and Ginger Green Vegetable Salad, and Grapefruit; and the Veal Osso Bucco with Cromesqui with Porcini Risotto, and Round Lemon Biscotti, part of their Menu 360°. 

Veal Osso Bucco 

L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif serves Breakfast Monday through Saturday from 6:30 am until 10:30 am, Sunday from 7:30 am until 9:00 am; Sunday Brunch from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, Lunch Monday through Saturday from 12 noon until 3:00 pm, and Dinner Sunday through Friday from 6:00 pm until 10:45pm, and on Saturday from 5:45 pm until 10:45 pm. 

Debra and Edward at L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif 

Read about L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif in the Restaurants section and in the Chefs' Recipes section where Executive Chef Jean-Claude Crouzet provides delectable recipes for Filet of Veal Napoleon with Provolone, Tapenade Cream and Tarragon & Herb Polenta; Crostini de Pied de Vent Cheese Marinated in Ice Wine, with Mache and Edible Flower Petals; and Chevre and Ice Wine Ice Cream with Cranberries, in English and in French. 

Loews Hôtel Le Corcorde Québec  

Please visit the L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif website for additional information, www.LoewsHotels.com/en/restaurants/L-Astral. 

L'Astral Bar-Restaurant Rotatif
Loews Hôtel Le Concorde Québec
1225 Cours du General-De Montcalm
Québec, (Québec), G1R 4W6
Canada
Telephone:   +1-418-780-3602
Fax:              +1-418-647-4710
Email:           This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    
Website:       www.LoewsHotels.com/en/restaurants/L-Astral   

Andre Emond at Marché du Vieux-Port du Québec  

We also visited the Marché du Vieux-Port de Québec (Market at the Old Port) to experience the excellent quality artisanal products of the Québec region, and meet the vendors to learn more about the products that include maple syrups and maple products, cheeses, sausages, locally made wines, cider, liqueurs, vinegars, and honey. Fresh seafood, locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, and gifts round out the offerings at the year-round market. 

 
Maple Candy 

The Marché du Vieux-Port de Québec (Market at the Old Port) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. 

Fresh Produce 

Please visit the Marché du Vieux-Port du Québec website for additional information, www.MarcheVieuxPort.com. 

Marché du Vieux-Port (Market at the Old Port)
160 Quai Saint-André
Québec, (Québec) G1K 3Y2
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-692-2517
Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    
Website:        www.marchevieuxport.com   

Although we visited Québec in the summer when there were many festivals and special events, the city has year-round festivals and events, as well as new discoveries to experience in every season.  

Spa Experiences 

When we made a reservation at the Bioterra Urban Health Spa at the Hôtel Château Laurier in Québec, Canada, little did we know that we were about to embark on a "virtual trip" to Bora Bora via their unique massage experience ‘Boarding pass for Bora Bora," which utilizes lomi-lomi techniques, and engages all of the senses. The attractive Bioterra Urban Health Spa located at the Hôtel Château Laurier, opened in July 2011, and we had the opportunity to experience the Spa during our stay at the hotel in August 2011. We emerged from our treatment relaxed and refreshed with virtual memories of walking on a white sandy beach. 

Bioterra Urban Health Spa Reception 

The Bioterra Urban Health Spa may be accessed either from within the Hôtel Château Laurier or from the Spa entrance on Grande Allée Est, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm.  

Bioterra Urban Health Spa - Massage 

Read about the Bioterra Urban Health Spa in the Spas section and about the Hôtel Château Laurier in the Hotels and Resorts section.  

Bioterra Urban Health Spa
661-A Grande Allée Est
Québec (Québec) G1R 2K4
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418- 522-1795
Toll Free:      1- 800-789-7174 (Canada and USA)
Email:           This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:       www.SpaBioTerra.ca    

Hôtel Château Laurier
1220, Place George-V Ouest
Québec (Québec) G1R 5B8
Canada
Telephone:    +1-418-522-8108
Toll Free:      1-877-522-8108 (Canada and USA)
Fax:               +1-418-524-8768
Email:            This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   
Website:       www.HotelChateauLaurier.com  

Important Information for Québec: 

Québec is a walking city that is waiting for your discovery, however, the hills are steep, and there are cobblestone streets in the old part of the city, so bring comfortable walking shoes for exploring and save your dress shoes and high heels for going out in the evening. 

The currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). As of August 2011, the exchange rate was 1 US Dollar (USD) to .95 Canadian Dollar, and 1 (EUR) to 1.37 Canadian Dollar (CAD). The Canadian Dollar is divided into 100 cents, with coin denominations of .01, .05, .10, and .25, 1 dollar, and 2 dollar coins; bank note denominations are: 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars.  

Electricity is 110 volts/60 cycles, which is used throughout North America. Bring a converter if your appliances do not have dual voltage and plug adapters if traveling from outside North America.  

French is the official language of Québec, and while many people speak English, it is always helpful to have some basic language knowledge when traveling. 

Read other articles on Québec, Canada  in the Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs' Recipes, Spas, and Events sections.

For more information on Québec, Canada please visit the websites: www.QuebecRegion.com, and www.BonJourQuebec.com.

© September 2011. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.