OT Quebec - Is it European or French or Not ?

[abdmom]

I frequent other travel boards. It really bothers me when people, usually from the US, refer to Quebec, usually Quebec City, as European or having "French culture". I don't even live in Quebec! Does it both other Canadians, whether you live in Quebec or not?

Here's an example from something I read this morning

am looking for quaint French flavor

French atmosphere

Not French-Canadian, not Quebecois, just French

And the ones that I frequently see (from those in the US)

Quebec City is so European

or

It's like visiting Europe

Would these descriptors bother you? If so, would you call the poster out on it and correct them?

Thanks!

In the poll, you can choose as many answers as you wish.

Also, in the poll, by French, I mean just French, not French-Canadian or other common descriptors.

 

[Gigi22]

Honestly, I don't think it matters. I have lived close to Quebec (Province) most of my life. If other nationalities perceive Quebec as being more European/French, it's more of a plus for Quebec tourism, right?

 

[abdmom]

Ok. I must be the only one who gets bugged by it. I agree that if Americans want to think they're visiting someplace European by visiting Quebec City, who am I to argue?

 

[minnie mum]

OP, I know that you said you don't live in Quebec, but have you even visited there? Ever been to QC or Montreal? Ever driven through the Eastern townships? Now compare these to similar cities/areas in France or even other European countries. If you had done these things you would understand the comparisons. Old QC is VERY European in both its architecture and ambiance. Montreal, being one of the more cosmopolitan cities in Canada can absolutely be described as having a certain European flair.

I can't imagine that anyone would be insulted or bothered by such comparisons. And by the way, I'm 99.9% sure that these comparisons are meant as a compliment.

ETA: I highly doubt that the Americans you are referring to think they are visiting Europe. I DO think that they are well travelled enough to appreciate the resemblance.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Doesn't bother me a lick. I've been to Europe and through France (yes Paris) and I find when I travel to Montreal it is "French" and Quebec City "European". That's how I would describe it!

 

[GoofyCdn]

I am an American living in Canada, (Ontario). I went to Quebec City when I was 14 and still lived in the States. I have been to Montreal and driven through Quebec many times to see my family on the East Coast. When my American friends or family ask me what Montreal/Quebec is like I tell them it is European/French. How else would you describe it? I find the drive through Quebec very much like going to another country. I find the culture there, that much different. Southern Ontario feels like U.S.A North, but Quebec is very different.

 

[abdmom]

OP, I know that you said you don't live in Quebec, but have you even visited there? Ever been to QC or Montreal? Ever driven through the Eastern townships? Now compare these to similar cities/areas in France or even other European countries. If you had done these things you would understand the comparisons. Old QC is VERY European in both its architecture and ambiance. Montreal, being one of the more cosmopolitan cities in Canada can absolutely be described as having a certain European flair.

I can't imagine that anyone would be insulted or bothered by such comparisons. And by the way, I'm 99.9% sure that these comparisons are meant as a compliment.

ETA: I highly doubt that the Americans you are referring to think they are visiting Europe. I DO think that they are well travelled enough to appreciate the resemblance.

Yes, I've visited Quebec many times. I've also visited France. Any many other countries and regions. I've never confused one country for another. They're all unique.

 

[Evelyne]

I live in Québec, not the city the province. My parents were born in France and moved to Montreal in 1967, 2 years before I was born. So I'm a Canadian from Québec with French roots... I'm a little bit mixed...
France is unique so is Quebec and Canada. Good for me or selfish of me, I have the opportunity to take what ever I feel is good about the 3 of them. I married a ''pur Québécois'' and we raised our kids (now 17 and 20) with some of the French culture, they like it. Unfortunatly we don't go in France as much as I would like. Definitly love the Frech pavillion in Epcot though

 

[souris]

I am French Canadian, from Ontario. I have lived in France and I agree that Québec city has a French/ European flair. I am not bothered a bit by it. I would disagree that the rest of the province reminds me of Europe or France, but that's just me. What bothers me a bit is the assumption that all French Canadians are either from Québec or live there. Or that i have a Québecois accent.. hmmm.. my family has been in Ontario for hundreds of years... Oh well, we all have things to learn about others!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I'd say that Quebec and Montreal have an older feel to them especially in the older sections of the cities. Something else to keep in mind they were amongst the first places to be settled by the French when they first came to Canada, mainly because getting to the rest of Canada wasn't easy. Getting to Ontario meant going up the saint lawrence and into Lake Ontario which meant several days of portage. Whereas in Toronto a lot of our older buildings got destroyed by fire in 1904 or were torn down to make way for newer ones.

 

[sophiagymgall]

I was born and raised in Quebec City, and I love that our culture is a blend of European and North American characteristics. I like to think we've taken the best from both cultures, but then again, I might be a tad biased I will say that I feel much more French than American or even Anglo Canadian, and I think the comparison with famous European cities is very flattering - in short, it may not be completely accurate, but I'll take it

 

[Ted in Halifax]

It's Fruopean.

 

[robinb]

Yes, I've visited Quebec many times. I've also visited France. Any many other countries and regions. I've never confused one country for another. They're all unique.

People are not confusing one country for another. They are comparing one region with another that folks are more familiar with. It's like saying something "tastes like chicken.". Quebec City "feels" like Europe.

FWIW, I have been to Quebec City, Montreal (my DH was born there), Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg (and Switzerland and Germany). While Strasbourg was officially French, it "felt" very German ... then again, Germany was right across the Rhine river.