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 Place Royal in Old Quebec by jamiesno
Place Royale is the birthplace of French civilization in North America. Samuel de Champlain began construction of his fortified "abitation" at the foot of Cap Diamant, in 1608. This is the first permanent establishment in New France. Rich merchants settle here and lively business develops in the area. In 1686, a bust to the glory of Louis XIV is erected. Place du Marché becomes place Royale.
Wars between France and England reach out as far as New France. Québec occupation by the English occurs for the first time from 1629 to 1632. In 1690, the place Royale cannon play a decisive role in turning back Admiral Phipps' fleet. In 1759 however, French resistance is overwhelmed by cannon ball and fire bombs. The Conquest begins.
Under the British Regime, Place Royale, with its merchants, shipowners and shipbuilders continues its leading commercial role and remains the centre of business. By 1860, the situation is one of decline. Place Royale regresses into a mere, stagnating place du Marché. By 1950, the area has become poor and rundown.
Place Royale is one of the oldest settlements on the North American continent. The architecture and narrow streets bring back four centuries of history. Place Royale is bustling in summertime. This is where you will discover l'église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires (church), only a few steps away from boutiques, restaurants, maison Fornel with its exhibitions and the Place-Royale interpretation centre. Leave a Comment Directions: Old Quebec
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 Life in Quartier Petit
Champlain Mural by jamiesno
A trompe-l'oeil mural measuring 100 square metres (900 square feet). You don't have to be an artist to appreciate the beauty of this outdoor work of art, located at 102 rue du Petit-Champlain, on the wall of the building owned by the Coopérative des artisans et commerçants du Quartier Petit Champlain.
This mural illustrates the origins of the Cap-Blanc neighbourhood, the bombardments in 1759, fires, landslides and other disasters to have befallen Quartier Petit Champlain over the years, as well as the strength and courage of those who built, lived, developed and breathed new life into this part of Quebec City.
For a full indepth interpretation of this mural you can visit the web site I provided. Cheers :-) Leave a Comment
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 Quartier Petit Champlain,
Quebec City by cruisingbug
The streets are cobblestone and seemingly pedestrian-only, but actually a van did squeeze past as we were walking along Rue du Petit Champlain.
Don't miss the great chocolates at the shop halfway down Rue du Petit Champlain. (I'm kicking myself for not taking note of the name.) The proprietor is an American and his wife makes all the chocolates by hand. Try the port-filled dark chocolate truffle! Leave a Comment Directions: At the base of the cliff under Chateau Frontenac
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Place Royale is where it all began! When Samuel de Champlain arrived in America in 1608, he decided to build the first house in New France where Place Royale now sits (if you look on the pavement near the church, you'll see the outlines of where his house used to be). Soon enough, the area around Champlain's house became the marketplace and when a bust of King Louis XIV was erected in the middle of it in 1686, it became known as Place Royale. As you walk through the streets surrounding Place Royale, 400 years of history come to life before your very eyes - just think of Rue St-Pierre, which used to be Quebec City's Wall Street!
All summer long, it is possible to go on a free guided tour of Place Royale. Tours start at the "Centre d'interpretation de Place Royale", at 27 Notre-Dame Street. Tours last about 45 minutes and will help you get better acquainted with the history of the city and life in New France.
Also, don't forget to walk into Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America (built in 1688). Movie buffs might also recognize the church and its surroundings from a few scenes from the Steven Spielberg movie "Catch me if you can", starring Leornardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks. The scenes towards the end of the movie when the characters are supposed to be in France were actually shot at Place Royale. Leave a Comment
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 Église
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
(church) by jamiesno
Built in 1688, it is the oldest stone church in North America. Destroyed by shellfire in 1759, the church was restored twice. Remarkable interior. A scale model suspended in the nave depicts the vessel "Le Brézé", which transported the commander Marquis de Tracy and soldiers of the Carignan Regiment to New France in 1664.
It may be closed sometimes during weddings, funerals and christenings.
I just took pictures of it one time in Place Royal and during a second visit to the area I explored around inside :-) Leave a Comment Directions: Place Royal in Old Quebec
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 Detail of a Petit Champlain
house in the fall by Jefie, 3 more photosLeave a Comment Phone: 418-692-2613Directions: From the Terrasse Dufferin, walk down the stairs located near the Samuel de Champlain statue. When you reach the bottom, walk down the hill until you reach another set of stairs (on your right). These stairs lead to the Petit Champlain area.Website: http://www.quartierpetitchamplain.com/ Other Contact: info@quartierpetitchamplain.com
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 Top of Breakneck Stairs, Petit
Champlain, Quebec by cruisingbug
The next staircase is known as Breakneck Stairs - don't lean too far forward! Seriously, these steps were lined with some kind of rubber so they were very safe. There are shops and restaurants as you go down (or up). At the bottom is the funicular station, for going back up! Leave a Comment
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 Place-Royale, Quebec City by cruisingbug
Maison Chevalier, on rue Marche-Champlain, dates back to the late 1700s. Exhibits on the first floor explain the history of the area, and upstairs typical rooms from the region's past are depicted. Free admission. Leave a Comment
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 Escalier Casse-Cou by mim95
From here, you can get a good view of the narrow streets and the buildings of Lower Town. Leave a Comment Directions: Steps from the funicular
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 Shops along Rue du
Petit-Champlain by mim95Leave a Comment Directions: Directly facing Escalier Casse-Cou in Lower Town.
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