Quebec Question

[jan/cape]

We will be visiting Quebec June 20 -25. I have been told that Thursday 24th is Quebec Day. Is this so? I have also been told there is a festival.
Can anyone give me details about this. We will have a 12 year old in tow who is excited about going.

 

[Nagle]

June 24 is St. Jean Baptiste Day, the Quebec National holiday. There will be festivities in just about every small town and large city in the province. Where will you be staying while in Quebec?

John

 

[jan/cape]

We will be staying at the Frontnac. We stayed there 3 years ago and LOVED it!I am really looking forward to the visit, daughter and I will be on our own during the day on Mon. - Wed. Don't know any French, but the majority of people were wonderful last trip. Except the one waiter with an attitude. Unfortunately the tip we left equalled his attitude....Poor.
I can't wait to get there

 

[Nagle]

I am sure the staff at the Chateau Frontenac can steer you in the right direction to any Jean Baptiste festivities. Have fun.

John

 

[PanamaMike]

Originally posted by Nagle
June 24 is St. Jean Baptiste Day, the Quebec National holiday.
John

I must have missed this on the news. A Quebec National holiday? I didn't realize Quebec had seperated.

 

[DisFan2]

I must have missed this on the news. A Quebec National holiday? I didn't realize Quebec had seperated.

Sad, but it is accurate - at least in Quebec. They call it their "Fete Nationale".

 

[wdwmo]

Hi Jan/Cape:


I assume you are staying at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. The party usually starts on June 23rd with activities going well into the night and of course, all kinds of happenings on the 24th. You will find activities all around but usually, big parties are held at the "Plaines d'Abraham".

The Hotel will provide you with a lot of info.

I have found a website which talks a bit (in English) of the activities: http://www.telegraphe.com/events/indexen.html

Have fun!

P.S. The horse drawn buggy rides "caleche" are very interesting. The drivers are very funny - we had a bilingual one a few years ago and we found out alot of things. And did I say funny!?!!!


Mo

 

[maryliz]

Originally posted by wdwmo
You will find activities all around but usually, big parties are held at the "Plaines d'Abraham".

Ahhh ... "Plaines d'Abraham" brings back some fond memories of a much smaller party we had there while on an exchange trip to Quebec city back in highschool. Of course we were under-age, and were caught by the police ... well, almost caught

Enjoy your time there.


Mary Liz

 

[Nagle]

The people of Quebec have called it La Fete Nationale since I lived there as a kid. (Over 30 years ago) Give the separation thing a rest.

 

[jan/cape]

Thanks for the site. I will also ask the staff at the Frontenac for more info. I have a feeling we will fall into many fun/interesting things to do. My daughter doesn't want to do the horse drawn carriage ride, She feels bad for the horses.

Didn't mean to stir up any controversy (sp?).
Tyhank you again for the help.
Jan

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by PanamaMike
I must have missed this on the news. A Quebec National holiday? I didn't realize Quebec had seperated.

And don't forget, the provincial legislature is the Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly), and pretty much always has been. Of course when you think of the "First Nations" like the Cree, Micmac, Mohawk, Haida, Bella Coola... etc, why shouldn't the Québecois have a nation within the Canadian Federal system, if it makes folks feel better? I personally hope that the Federation does not divide into two or more different independent nations, but if people want to refer to themselves as a Nation, it's no big deal (pas grande chose).

As a Montréal educated, bilingual Yank, who is married to an Acadienne, we always have a big party on St Jean Baptiste, serving Canadian wines (from Ontario usually) and beer, traditional Québecois and Acadian foods (including Cretons, Tourtière and yummy Tête Fromagée, sometimes even Poutine!), and displaying the Québec, Canadian and Acadian flags.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

In the Old City, just inside the Porte St. Louis, on the left hand side as you're going towards the Chateau Frontenac is a little red roofed building called "Aux Anciennes Canadiens". Go there for lunch one day and order off the the "prix fixe" menu -- for about $15 CDN you will get soup or salad; a lovely entree; dessert; beer or wine; and coffee. The food is traditional French Canadian and was listed as one of the best budget places to eat in Quebec City by Frommer's Budget Travel magazine in early 2003.

 

[DisFan2]

but if people want to refer to themselves as a Nation, it's no big deal (pas grande chose).

Ah, but how will they treat minority rights within their "nation"? I think bill 101 (the Quebec language law) gives some indication.

Sorry, we're getting waaayyyy o/t here!!!

 

[Absimilliard]

Much better than french canadians living in the west I guess. French canadians in the west are gradually becoming english speakers, without any knowledge of french. I heard the figure of 5% for Manitoba for french speakers and that number is going down every year, because kids are being taught only english in some cases. Law 101 was to make sure french stayed alive and well in Quebec.

If you're scared minorities are treated bad in Quebec, please visit Montreal and its neighborhoods. West Island (western part of the city) is english speaking, in a lot of places and I could name lots of various places where minorities are present.

 

[wdwmo]

It's a bit of a shame that the thread has gone off on minorities, Bill 101 and the use of the word "national". Oh yes, we have our problems and I am not ignoring them (I have been living with this for 40 years!!) but I believe the original question was about visiting Quebec City. I am glad that we were able to give Jan/Cape some info about a great city to visit.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Good point, WDWmo, this is about visiting Quebec City, one of my favourite places to visit. And when in Quebec City, you will be hosted by folks in the tourist trade who are friendly and welcoming to visitors in many languages.

(And ABSimillard is absolutely right! I learned Portuguese from my Montréal neighbours, who manage to keep their language just fine, thank you, as are my Anglo-Quebecker friends. As for my Franco-Albertains and Franco-Manitobains friends, for example, keeping the language has been much more challenging.)

As for location, at the Château Frontenac you will be ideally located for enjoying the bounty Quebec City has to offer. Good restaurants, lots of real history you can see and touch, great music and cultural offerings galore, especially around St Jean Baptiste; you've gotta love it! Enjoy!