If you’ve been reading my weekly emails for a while, you know I’ve got a thing for Québec City. As part of my visit to Club Med Québec-Charlevoix two weeks ago, I was treated to a night in Québec City, as well as an excursion to Baie-Saint-Paul which is very close to the resort. The same gondola system that takes you up the mountain to the ski slopes also can take you down to the seaside to take the scenic train to Baie-Saint-Paul.
It was such an easy way to have an adventure without taking away from a stay at the resort. This trip was easily done after lunch and before the evening entertainment at the resort starts. Baie-St-Paul was named the culture capital of Canada in 2007. Many artists have come to the town to find inspiration in its colors, mountains, sea, and wide open spaces. These wide open spaces are also the source for the culinary products featured at the resort. There is no doubt that this town is a source of inspiration for many as you wander through the streets.
As much as I enjoyed my short visit to Baie-St-Paul, Québec City was the highlight of my non-Club Med time in Québec (surprise, surprise). It seems as if it is the setting for a fairy tell which was made even more magical by the sprinkle of snow on the ground and the Christmas lights and decorations.
Québec City is the only North American walled city north of Mexico. The walled citadel was built after Americans attacked British Quebec in 1775-1776 during the American Revolution (which turned out to be a bad idea for the Americans). The Upper Town (Haute-Ville) is perched on cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence River with the focal point being the grand hotel Château Frontenac which now operates as a Fairmont property (shameless plug that my agency is part of their elite agency program which means extra perks and amenities for my clients)
I was limited on time during my one evening in QC so I did not visit Château Frontenac this trip, but I did visit during my last visit in 2016. This time I stayed in the lower town, also known as Basse-Ville, the original neighborhood of the city around the harbor. The upper town is accessible to the lower town via funicular car or steep stairs known as the ‘break neck’ stairs.
Here are a few more pics of me enjoying one of my favorite cities!
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is not the only game in town. Club Med put us up at Hotel 71 which was quite lovely. Although the hotel is part of an older building, it felt very modern yet cozy inside.
The rooms were much larger than I expected, and I really loved the high ceilings and large windows that looked upon Old Québec.
are you ready to explore more?
want to keep reading?
Read about my fabulous stay at the brand new All-Inclusive ski resort, Club Med Québec-Charlevoix!
Read The Top 10 Reasons to Book an All-Inclusive Ski Vacation … because all-inclusive resorts are not just for the Caribbean!
