Friday, September 9, 2011

PARLEZ-VOUS FRANÇAIS? QUEBEC CITY ...

Happy Friday everyone. Well, I finally downloaded the endless pictures I took on my visit to the glorious Quebec City. If anyone wants a feel for France and not want to hop over the Atlantic, one only has to venture to our sister country, Canada.  

Quebec City has all the charm of Paris, only more intimate. Sit at a cafe and watch the soft light form around the stunning architecture and friendly people. Although French is the preferred language almost everyone speaks English and with a smile. Parisians are well known for their uppity attitude, but you will NOT find that the case in this lovely city.

So sit back, relax, grab a latte, and enjoy a walking tour of this fair city.

Ah, where to begin? I must have taken at least two hundred pictures ....





Why not with the location .... situated on the St. Lawrence river.


Venturing up the many stone staircases winding skyward from the river, the stunning architecture certainly reflects the classic country French style.




Don't you just love the hanging flower planters? They are everywhere along the riverfront streets.



At the top of the FIRST plateau ...



The goal ....


The view along the way... make sure you wear comfortable hiking shoes. Phew!


Finally! It is so worth the effort! Just look what's all around you.







Can you believe these vistas? So beautiful.  I can go on forever with more, but I will be posting all day. But I must finish the tour with a bit of whimsy. Even in side alleys one could see extraordinary art. Here are just a few hidden treasures of this amazing place.





Although not in an alley, this sculpture is truly awesome...


Well friends that concludes our tour of Quebec City....  I'm sure you could tell by the smile on my face that I had an amazing time on my visit to Canada. If you ever have the chance to visit this wonderful country I hope you do. You will not be disappointed in any way.

My trip inspired me to host another blogfest... A non HP fest for the first time. I will post about it on Monday... but think about what you did on your summer vacation. Remember? The first assignment returning back to school is always "What did you do on your summer vacation?" Let's hold onto summer  just a bit longer ... shall we? I want to know ALL. Pics are a must. So start looking through all your fun summer photos and get thinking. A three to five hundred word essay will be due....

Have a great weekend everyone!








35 comments:

Summer Ross said...

Oui, Je parle Francais! Tres magnifique Michael! The photo's are amazing! Oo lala a blogfest! yay!

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Holy Cow! That last sculpture looks just like you. How awesome :o]

It's wonderful. I hiked along with you in my bunny slippers and my feet feel great.

Seriously I'm going to spend a lot more time with these pictures. They are beautiful.

Sarah Tokeley said...

I did nothing special on my summer vacation :-(

Those pictures are incredible, the sculptures are wonderful, and the architecture...

I'm not surprised you had a wonderful time :-)

Creepy Query Girl said...

Gorgeous pictures! Thanks so much for sharing them! I live just outside paris and I speak parisian french BUT both my grandmother's were of french canadian descent and I can trace the lines back all the way to Port Royal and Acadia. I've always dreamed of visiting Quebec City.

Heather said...

What a lovely city, it's like a piece of France, only on our continent! I'd love to visit it someday. Thank you for sharing the pictures, they're very inspiring. Can't wait to read about the blogfest!

Danette said...

Can't wait to hear and will be on the lookout. The photos are terrific! Sooooo jealous! Would love to see Quebec City.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I like the ones that show the streets and shops. And crap, I didn't take a summer vacation.

Misha Gerrick said...

Oh wow that's so beautiful! I'd love to go there.

:-)

Melodie Wright said...

Thanks for sharing these great pics. Quebec is a very European-style city - the architecture reminds me of Victoria on the other side of Canada. My folks live in Nova Scotia..another gorgeous place to go when you get a chance.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

Deniz Bevan said...

Wow. Thank you so much for sharing these, Michael! I was in Quebec City the winter before, but your photos are so much better than mine [g]

Roland D. Yeomans said...

You have a great eye for fantastic screen captures, Michael. I truly do envy you this trip. Hogwarts, now this. Thanks for letting us feel a part of your travels, Roland

Anonymous said...

Great photos! Must admit, I've never been there; but I have been to France, so I enjoyed your comment: "Parisians are well known for their uppity attitude, but you will NOT find that the case in this lovely city." I did, however, meet two friendly cops in Rouen who, despite their speaking no English and my speaking no French (except for "Please" and "Thank you") went out of their way to guide me back to my hotel late one night when I was very lost!

Talei said...

Hello Michael,

Wonderful pictures and thanks so much for the le tour! I love seeing places I'm yet to visit, one day I shall visit Canada, its such a beautiful country.

Happy writing and relaxing this weekend!
xx

Golden Eagle said...

Great pictures! The sculptures look amazing; it must have been interesting to come across them while in the city. :) And there's some wonderful architecture.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I, too, love Quebec City and being among those speaking French there. Probably wouldn't like it as much in the dark of winter!

Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. Like the one of you as well!

Monti
NotesAlongTheWay

Ciara said...

I SO want to go. Those pics are amazing. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Rachael Harrie said...

Wow, looks like you had an awesome time :) I've never been - one day perhaps!

Hugs,

Rach

Anonymous said...

Wow I must visit there myself it looks fab!
Love the new avatar pic of you too.

Anonymous said...

Excited about the new non-HP blogfest too :O)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pics!! Thanks for sharing. I love the sculpures!

mshatch said...

what fabulous pics! I'm thinking I should make Quebec my next vacation spot. The architecture alone is to die for.

Talli Roland said...

You've brought a smile to my face! I'm so glad you enjoyed my home country. It is an amazing place.

Lola X said...

Wow! Amazing photos! In the words of Tina Fey/Liz Lemon - 'I want to go to there!' (and no, that's not a typo! Lol!)

Unknown said...

Wow, what an absolutely gorgeous time you must have had! Thanks for sharing the photos :-)

Lisa Potts said...

I'm glad one of my blogy friends travels, otherwise I would never get to see anything outside of the Midwest!

Thanks for the great pics, Michael.

J.C. Martin said...

Welcome back! What awesome pictures! Love the quaint streets and shophouses, and the funky art!

I'll be looking out for your new blogfest!

PK HREZO said...

Oh it's just gorgeous! I think I could live there. Plus all the French cuisine.... I'd be in heaven.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful time, Michael! I wish I could say I had as good of summer, but we were busy moving ALL summer. Oh well, maybe next year. And remember you're always welcome here in Tampa. ;)

dolorah said...

Summer vacation? Me? I wish . .

Those are gorgeous pictures. They certainly make me want to go there.

Happy First year Michael. It has sure been a pleasure hanging out with you :)

........dhole

LTM said...

hey, you cutie! And omg! Look how colorful and gorgeous it is. I love those rooftops, and that jester! Wow. So jealous~ :D <3

Maeve Frazier said...

Michael - Beautiful pictures! Looks like a fantastic trip. I am also enjoying touring around your blog! I'm glad I came across it.

Jennifer Lane said...

Wow, amazing photos! I flew into Quebec City for a job interview in upstate NY once, but it was in the dead of winter so I didn't stay outside for long. Looks like a perfect vacation spot for summer.

Michelle Merrill said...

WOW! I had no idea Quebec was so beautiful. I found those pictures very inspiring. Now I want to go there too :)

Thanks for sharing!

Nicki Elson said...

I approve of the new profile pic. ;) And now I want to go to Quebec City even MORE! So Euro-feeling without a pesky ocean in the way. Your photographs are stunning.

And now...to find out about that homework assignment...

Donea Lee said...

Oh, wow. Those pics are truly breathtaking! Thanks so much for sharing! Looks like you had a wonderful time ~ So, tell me... did you indulge in French pastries, after all?? You must share - I live vicariously on occasion. :)

Heather Henry said...

Wow, what beautiful pictures. Looks like a wonderful trip, now I really want to go there. What amazing sculptures too, I love artistic cities. Thank you for sharing. Gorgeous!!