Momboisse Family Adventures Quebec City, Quebec, Quebec City, Quebec

As we cruised down the Saint Lawrence River we finally experienced the vibrant fall colors we had been waiting for.

Arrival in Quebec City was breathtakingly beautiful. Quebec truly lived up to its name, "crown jewel of French Canada."

Taking the advice of my brother and sister-in-law, we booked a two hour Grand Tour of Old Town through Voir Quebec ($22 per person US). We met our tour at 12 Rue Sainte-Anne an easy walk from our ship which was docked at Pier 22 (150 Rue Dalhousie Street).

Our tour begins at the Place d' Armes which was created in the 1640's by Governor Montmagny to serve as a place for military exercise for the French troops who would see much action from the British over the next hundred years or so.

The statue in this square is the monument to the Faith. Erected in 1915 on the tercentenary of the arrival of the Récollets (French branch of the Franciscans Friars) in Quebec City.

Here in the Place d' Armes under the shadow of the Château Frontenac our guide gave us a short history lesson on Quebec.

Before European exploration, the entire region was settled by various Aboriginal groups. In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier arrived and claimed territory on the Gaspe Peninsula (Gulf of Saint Lawrence) in the name of the King of France. The following year, Cartier was back again, this time he ventured down the Saint Lawrence to the Iroquoian village of Stadacone, which is near present day Quebec City. In 1541 he was back for his last time and established the first French settlement and fort, Charlesbourg Royal. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).