QUEBEC - CA:

Tour through Quebec:

week: 24. 4. to 1. 5. 2010

Route to border of Quebec and further to Riviere-du-Loup:

The tour from Grand Falls via Edmundston leads along the river Saint John and along the USA border (Maine). It is very pittouresque but this time we took the Interstate. Also from Edmundston to the border of Quebec and further to Riviere-du-Loup. Here we saw the first time the huge St.Lorent river. The route climbs up to 300m and we still some snow remained. In Riviere-du-Loup we found a beautiful place directly by the ferry harbour. With a gorgeous view to the St.Lorenz (with fantastic sun set and rise).We ate in a fish restaurant the best mussels ever - you feel the French background. 

The ferry next morning took 1,5 hours to the left side of the majestic Lorenz

drive along the coast of the St. Lorenz river towards southwest to Baie St. Paul:

This route is just fantastic but difficult to drive (at least with a truck). This part of Quebec is very hilly and the Canadiens built the street just along the hills (sometimes slopes of 20% and more). And at the end of such a slope you can expect a curve of sharp 90° in front of the ocean. You need highest concentration, good nerves and even better brakes. Luckely our Volvo has a strong and reliable engine brake. One time uphill we even had to use the first gear (never ever before). We had a fuel consumption (on this slopes) of 235 liter / 100 km).
Baie St.Paul is full of art. One street has plenty of galaries with first class paintings and good restaurants.

Continuation along the Saint Lorenz:

First stop was 15 km before Quebec-City at the campground Co-op northwest of the city. We wanted to visit the city from here by using public busses. But this was impossible. So we made our necessary clean up and looked for an place to stay in town.

Quebec-City (2 nights)

This more than 400 year old town has the only surrounding stone wall north of Mexico. This town could well be in Europe (Northern France). Narrow streets, places with Cafes and tiny Restaurants. Big churches, museums, theatres and of course the world most famous hotel: Le Chateau Frontenac“ (which was built by the Canadian railway).

We found a beautiful place to stay opposite of Quebec - City in Levis (not the jeans) on the other side of the St. Lorenz. The ferry which runs evey 30 minutes you are in 10 minutes right in front of the old town.

Everything is in walking distance. And because of the many stairs and steep roads you have in short time lost the pounds which you gain in the excellent restaurants.

From top at the citadelle we had a phantastic view across the city and St. Lorenz.

Knowledgable traveller know: „The best view is always from the side where the canons stay“.

The most famous building of town - Chateau Frontenac is just beautiful to look at (at day and specially at night when it is illuminated and looks like flying above the river.
Story tells that during world war II  in this hotel Churchill, Roosevelt and Mac Kenzie King plant the D-Day landing in Normandie. They did this on a napkin during dinner and .... they forget the napkin when leaving. The waiter found it and brought it back. It seems he has not understood what he found.

A visit to this marvelous city is definitely a must.

We were also very happy to meet Lessard Sylvain from Festo Quebec. We had a nice chat over a cup of coffee and updated us on Festo Quebec affairs. Thanks Sylvain for the nice evening.

Quebec-City by night:

Sun set and sun rise over Quebec-City:

Bridges over the river St. Laurenz near Quebec city:

The old bridge (a beautiful and esthetic design) was built around 100 years ago. It collapsed twice during the construction works.

We took the new one.

Drive to Ontario:

Now we have enough from the coldness and we will drive southwest to Ontario. Since this lies quite south spring should start.

We took the Interstate and past through busy Montreal without stopping along the St. Lorenz to „Thousand Island Park“. 

Our first stop was in Cornwall were we stood overnight. By chance at our parking lot was an exhibition of motorhomes (especially trailers) and we had the oppertunity to look inside.

We were impressed by the size but not by the interior design.

We were very happy in Quebec; nice and friendly people and beautiful landscape. We will come back - most probably in July.

For continuation of the tour report please refer "Ontario"