A short trip by train from Montréal is the wonderful city of Québec, capital of the province carrying the same name.

Although Jacques Cartier built a fort there in 1535, it wasn’t until Samuel de Champlain came in 1608 that the city was founded.

It has always been a capital city, whether of New France, or Lower Canada or of the Québec Province, and the people are obviously proud of their city and province as well as the rich history of the city, steeped in military conquests and battles.

The city is located on the banks of the St Lawrence River and has Cape Diamond as its highest point. Famous sights include Château Frontenac and La Citadelle. The old city is split over a lower and an upper town and you’ll find yourself climbing many steps and there are many steep drops (warning signs everywhere, so you only have yourself to blame should you have a tumble). If the steps are too much, there is always the funicular that delivers you from the lower part to the upper part for $2.25 or visa versa.