Old Quebec Funicular (Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec), Quebec City (must see)
The Old Quebec Funicular (Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec) is a cable railway that links the Upper and Lower Towns (Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville) of Old Quebec between Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin) and Petit-Champlain Street (Rue du Petit-Champlain).
Apart from being quick and convenient, let alone scenic, this form of transportation is also a valuable piece of heritage. The funicular first opened in 1879. Before its conversion to electricity, in 1907, it operated a hydraulic system whereby water had to be transferred from one reservoir to another to make it function.
On July 2, 1945, a major fire damaged the structure, necessitating its rebuild, which was completed a year later. Another two renovations, in 1978 and 1998, resulted in two cabins being made fully autonomous, operating automatically as an elevator. Technically speaking, this is now more of an inclined lift than a funicular.
Small as it may seem, the funicular offers an amazing way to "see things". When traveling uphill, you get in through the Louis Jolliet House and then, after getting your ticket (which takes roughly 10 minutes on a summer afternoon), click-clack 64 meters (210 feet) up at a 45-degree angle whilst enjoying a beautiful view of the Lower Town, the St Lawrence River, and the iconic Frontenac Castle (Château Frontenac).
Indeed, being here makes it one of a kind experience that you won't get in many other places worldwide. The ride itself may be short, but the fun of it is long-lasting!
For extra pleasure, there is an on-site gift shop and café.
Apart from being quick and convenient, let alone scenic, this form of transportation is also a valuable piece of heritage. The funicular first opened in 1879. Before its conversion to electricity, in 1907, it operated a hydraulic system whereby water had to be transferred from one reservoir to another to make it function.
On July 2, 1945, a major fire damaged the structure, necessitating its rebuild, which was completed a year later. Another two renovations, in 1978 and 1998, resulted in two cabins being made fully autonomous, operating automatically as an elevator. Technically speaking, this is now more of an inclined lift than a funicular.
Small as it may seem, the funicular offers an amazing way to "see things". When traveling uphill, you get in through the Louis Jolliet House and then, after getting your ticket (which takes roughly 10 minutes on a summer afternoon), click-clack 64 meters (210 feet) up at a 45-degree angle whilst enjoying a beautiful view of the Lower Town, the St Lawrence River, and the iconic Frontenac Castle (Château Frontenac).
Indeed, being here makes it one of a kind experience that you won't get in many other places worldwide. The ride itself may be short, but the fun of it is long-lasting!
For extra pleasure, there is an on-site gift shop and café.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Quebec City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Old Quebec Funicular (Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec) on Map
Sight Name: Old Quebec Funicular (Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec)
Sight Location: Quebec City, Canada (See walking tours in Quebec City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Quebec City, Canada (See walking tours in Quebec City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Quebec City, Quebec
Create Your Own Walk in Quebec City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Quebec City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Quebec City Introduction Walking Tour
Cresting a cliff above the St. Lawrence River, Québec City (French: Ville de Québec) is the soul of the province of Québec – a place all its own; a country within a country with its own traditions, architecture, and French-speaking population.
The Algonquian people had originally named the area Kébec, which means "where the river narrows", because the Saint Lawrence River... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Algonquian people had originally named the area Kébec, which means "where the river narrows", because the Saint Lawrence River... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Historical Houses Walking Tour
Often referred to as the cradle of New France, Québec City has one of the richest architectural heritages in North America and is particularly evocative of Europe in its atmosphere. Most of the city's architecture, however, had to be adapted to harsh winters and the lack of specialized workers and materials in the colony; as such, most houses were designed as simple and efficient before... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Old Quebec Walk
The historic part of Quebec City known as Old Quebec (French: Vieux-Québec), sometimes also referred to as the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin), is the neighborhood centered around Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant), located on the eastern edge of Quebec hill promontory. The area comprises Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower Town (Basse-Ville) and is currently listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Top Religious Sites Walking Tour
The first religious buildings in Canada were established by Récollets and Jesuits in 1615 and 1625 when they first arrived to "New France". Later on, the colonists brought French culture and architectural traditions. The establishment of British and evangelical society brought major developments to Quebec City. Here is a list of some of the most alluring divine attractions to visit.
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles