|
Quebec: Joie de vivre
November, 2010
|
Five things you didn’t know about Quebec City
1. Quebec City’s winter carnival, the Carnaval de Québec, features an ice palace made out of 9,000 tons of snow. In its first several years, the palace even had a dungeon, used to jokingly jail Carnaval-goers who refused to honour the Carnaval mascot.
2. The Quebec Bridge is a cantilever bridge, since it is suspended from two large vertical structures. It is the longest cantilever bridge in the world.
3. Québec City has the oldest international theatre festival in Canada: the Carrefour international de théâtre de Québec.
4. The oldest business district in North America is Quartier Petit-Champlain, located in Québec City.
5. Québec City has its own castle. The Château Frontenac, which opened its doors in 1893, was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. It is now owned by the Fairmont Hotel Group.
Source: Government of Canada, www.quebec400.gc.ca
|
|
The city’s historic chemistry is reason enough for meeting planners to celebrate
By Jamie Zachary
Old-word charm and rich cultural traditions are transforming one of North America’s most storied cities into a Mecca for travellers seeking that je ne sais quoi.
“The European character of the city, the French language against the backdrop of North America, and the bilingual welcome extended to tourists and business travellers set the region apart,” says Roselyne Hebert, director of media relations for the Quebec Ministry of Tourism.
“And having nature at the city’s back door offers a very enjoyable blend of the two settings and a wide range of experiences.”
For Canadian and Eastern U.S. corporate meeting and event planners in particular, Quebec City is a rare find. Not only is the provincial capital easily accessible, but it also feels like it’s a world apart.
Perched high atop Cap Diamant overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Quebec City offers direct flights to several major U.S. centres on the Eastern U.S. seaboard, and is only a two-hour drive east of Montreal.
Consider it an international destination without the jet lag.
Once there, it’s no surprise that history figures prominently in the city of some 715,000 residents. As one of North America’s oldest cities, old-world architecture is commonplace throughout, including historic neighbourhoods such as Chalesbourg, Beauport, Cap-Rouge and Wendake, as well as attractions such as the Citadelle and UNESCO-recognized Old-Quebec fortifications.
“History and heritage permeate the region’s tourism – from the heart of the fortified city to the countryside, through a whole host of accessible buildings, interpretation centres, museums, historical sites, parks, thematic routes and tours,” says Hebert.
Located a stone’s throw from the historic Citadelle sits Chateau Frontenac, which holds the Guinness World Record of being the most photographed hotel in the world.
Opened in 1893 atop a tall cape overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, the Fairmont-owned property not only offers spectacular views of the city around it, but also modern, multifunction meeting space that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.
“It is a destination in itself – it is the icon of the city,” says Genevieve Parent, director of public relations for the historic property.
“Meeting delegates can have their meeting in a unique location where history was made.
“(And), they are within walking distance of all the unique attractions of Quebec City.”
Chateau Frotenac joins 17 other facilities in the region that offer both accommodations and meeting facilities for groups of more than 300 guests.
For those still seeking a piece of history, they might want to consider Hotel Chateau Laurier Quebec, located on the historic Plains of Abraham. The facility completed renovations in 2007 that added more than 90 rooms and suites, 17 meeting rooms and ballroom.
Or for those travellers looking to stretch their legs, just a 25-minute drive from Quebec City lies Chateau Mont Sainte-Anne, which features 239 rooms and suites, meeting space for up to 700 guests and ski-in/ski-out facilities.
Back in the city’s old quarters are also a number of dedicated meeting and event facilities, including the Centre des congres de Quebec.
Featuring 33 meeting rooms and nearly 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, the centre hosts 130 to 140 events every year, and welcomes some 200,000 visitors.
It is the largest in the city, accommodating upward of 7,500 attendees. It has the added bonus of being linked to nearly 1,000 hotel rooms, and in close proximity to more than 12,000.
Yet it’s more than just history, architecture and facilities that drives more than 9 million people to visit the city each year – including more than 1 million from outside of Canada, notes Hebert.
The city is also renowned for celebrating its colourful French, British and Aboriginal ancestry through an array of events and museums.
“There are a wide range of international cultural events and event products (the Festival d’été, Cirque du Soleil, The Image Mill) throughout the summer, and even during the winter (Carnival de Quebec, Hotel de Glace),” says Hebert.
“And renowned institutions including two major public museums, the Musee de la civilisation and the Musee national des Beaux-Arts du Quebec, make it worth the trip.”
Filed under: Canada
|
|