Quebec City

Leaving the Ottawa Valley as Labour Day Monday dawned, we sped eastward on the 417 around the nation's capital, before crossing the Ottawa River and into Quebec at Hawkesbury.

From there, we strategically skirted Montreal to avoid traffic chaos and emerged a little to the northwest, for a relatively stress-free run up the west bank of the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City.

Arriving by lunchtime, we drove past the city to visit Montmorency Falls, before crossing the river onto Ile D'Orleans for a scenic tour around this rustic and agricultural gem in the middle of the St. Lawrence.

Returning to Quebec City, we parked and found our hotel, La Maison Sainte-Ursule, a quaint little inn in the Haute-Ville. From there, we set out on foot to explore Vieux-Quebec. We strolled, shopped, and twice dined, soaking up the European charm of the old town, before culminating the evening with a late-night Ghost Walk of these historic alleys, cobblestones and crenelated walls.

Montmorency Falls just north of Quebec City

Suspension bridge over the falls

Montmorency Falls basin and bridge to Ile D'Orleans

Plunging falls!

Carriage tour of Old Quebec

Samuel de Champlain surveys the Promenade

Down to the Basse-Ville

Beer and Poutine at a sidewalk cafe

Beautiful day in the Basse-Ville

St. Lawrence River from atop the city walls

History through murals

Chateau Frontenac looms atop Vieux-Quebec

Fleur-de-Lis flapping in Place Royale

Ghost Walk with a great guide!