Quebec City Day 1

We were up and out the door early to catch our 6 am train to Quebec City. We hadn’t intended to leave so early but ultimately were happy to arrive with the whole day ahead.

Coffee & Drinks

With an early rise to catch the train, we had only train coffee and another from a small random shop. Also, any drinks were at restaurants with meals rather than at breweries or bars. So, sadly, there is nothing to share about coffee and drinks for this day.

Food

Sapristi. It was a very sunny and hot afternoon; finding a patio with shade was near impossible. But, we managed to snag a little shaded table and shared a pizza.
La Pizz. This was one of my favourite meals of the trip, largely due to the incredibly quaint location in the Quartier Petit Champlain. I could truly imagine that I was having dinner and a glass of wine somewhere in Europe. My pasta was divine, and the chilled glass of white wine was perfect for the warm evening.

Experiences/Sites

Via Rail to Quebec City. This was my first time travelling by train in Canada! The trip was just around three hours and was comfortable. I settled in and did some writing while enjoying the passing landscapes.
Old Quebec. Our Air BnB was just a 15-minute walk away from Old Quebec. It was as though we got transported back through time and into a small European town.

Breakneck Stairs. This sharp incline of 59 stairs was built in 1635. Pausing at the top (whether to catch your breath or gather your wits) offered a perfect view of the bustling, cobblestone street below.
Umbrella Alley. A sweet little street filled with restaurants and cafes, topped with colourful umbrellas, a perfect Instagram opportunity.
Quartier Petit Champlain. We wandered into this little square, away from the crowds and a brief reprieve from the busyness.

Plains of Abraham. We had intended to head here on our second day, but our wandering led us to the beautiful hillside, offering a stunning view of the Chateau Frontenac.
Art Installations. While walking around, we noticed a few yellow boxes that pointed out various art installations. Passages Insulates is a public art event that takes place every summer in Quebec City in the Place Royale, Petit Champlain and Old Port districts. My favourite was the series of “Mouse Houses” at the bottom of a few buildings and a three-dimensional piece layered over several buildings. The mouse dioramas are part of a worldwide installation series titled “AnonyMouse.” The “Double Interlaced Concentric Circles” by Felice Varini was incredibly neat, especially at night.