August 1, 2017
Day 96: Quebec City
We spent hours today exploring Old Quebec. It is very beautiful - quaint and charming - and also very crowded with tourists. After so many weeks of small towns and tiny villages, it really seemed busy. The old streets are lined with shops and restaurants. Every restaurant seemed to have outdoor seating and the tables were full from mid-day until late in the evening. It has been warm and sunny and everyone wants to be outside.
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We took a tour of the Citadelle of Quebec, which was built by the British following the War of 1812 to protect Quebec from attacks by the Americans.
Quebec was first founded by the French in 1608 and after over a hundred years of struggle for control with the British, it finally fell into British control in 1760, after both Quebec City and Montreal were captured by the British in what is called "The Conquest". American Revolutionary forces under Generals Benedict Arnold and Robert Montgomery had attacked Quebec City on December 31, 1775, but were repelled. General Montgomery was killed here. Americans attacked again during the War of 1812, attempting to take Montreal, again unsuccessfully. The British felt they needed to strengthen their defenses in case of future attack. But, since it was completed in the mid-1800's, the Citadelle has never been attacked. It is the home of Canada's only solely Francophone infantry regiment, the Royal 22nd Regiment.
It is on the highest point of the city and has great views of the city and the St. Lawrence River.
Later in the day we walked along the riverfront and took a few more pictures.
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