La Belle Quebec, Day Three

When you only have two and a half days (so call it three) to enjoy a new city, it's impossible to do everything. Rick and I made some wise choices, I think. Do what we can in the time we have and don't worry about what we can't do. And pretty much all of what we did -- except eat -- was free. And I didn't miss out on a thing.

We started our final full day in Quebec City as we did the day before -- with a walk through Haute Ville, where we were staying, our final destination being another stop at Basse Ville where we had some shopping to do.

Often we passed by this building with the red roof. I'm not sure what it was (and it didn't matter). I just loved it!

We paused along the way for a photo of Chateau Frontenac from a different view...

...and then took the steps down to a park where we people-watched for a few minutes and admired this planting.

Then more steps... to Basse Ville.

Why? Well, we had a little birthday shopping to do. But first, we thought we'd take a ride on the Quebec-Levis ferry.

Now, you can do the St. Lawrence River cruise. For about $30 you get nice views and probably see far more of the coastline than we did.

But for $6, we could go round trip across the river, get some of the same views and enjoy time in the park at Levis with its spouting fountain.

We did exactly that, then got a sandwich at a little shop near the ferry and headed back. It was a perfect solution for us!

And loads of fun.  (By the way, that sandwich was a whole lot less expensive than eating anywhere in Quebec City -- even if you factor in the boat ride!)

Oh, if you could see it through my eyes!

Back on land again, it was time to do a little shopping. We both had our eyes on different pieces of art. Rick was very interested (and still is) in this painting by a South American artist. I have to say, I've rarely seen wine bottles and liquid captured so well.

He hasn't purchased it -- yet. But I wouldn't be surprised if one day we find a crate at his door. The terms were very reasonable, despite the price.

I, too, had a favorite. But when we returned to Atelier Galerie Bedard, it was gone. But apparently the artist's girlfriend (and framer of the piece) had it and he asked if we could wait for her to bring it. So, off to the cafe!

And when we returned? The painting! Here it is, at home. And especially meaningful after our cruise on the ferry earlier in the day, watching the sailboats on the river with the Chateau as a backdrop.



We ambled back to Haute Ville, up this hill. Ambling may be too strong a term for me. Or maybe not! But it was a big one!

I had wanted to see the Basilica Notre Dame and we hadn't yet found it. And then -- poof! There it was! (I'll have a separate post on the churches of Quebec City).

And in the square in the front of the church? The fellow who became our favorite street performer. I really wish I'd taken a movie but I forgot my charger and was living on limited camera battery. But he knew how to work the crowd and incorporate them into his act, choosing children for some of his antics.

Like all street performers we saw in Quebec, his act included juggling, fire and a unicycle.

But he was the only one who included a tightrope walking bit!

Oh, the faces on the kids watching! There was laughter and fear...

...and sheer delight!

After wandering a bit more, we thought dinner was in order and since we hadn't stepped outside the fortification walls of the city once, decided to step out onto the Grande Allee and find a spot to dine.

The Grande Allee is the street that turns into rue St. Louis when you go through the walls and it was lined on both sides by restaurants. The weather had turned and the cafes were filled with people dining outside. We chose Taverne Grand Allee.

It was a friendly place with generous umbrellas and a lively atmosphere. Our sausage appetizer and our spiced meat (bearing strong resemblance to corned beef) sandwiches were delicious.



Then it was back to the walls. Dark now. And we were on to a special event.

Each August, Quebec City hosts a fireworks display from the banks of Levis across the river. We nabbed some good seats on the bleachers after the street performer concluded. Yes. He had a unicycle and fire, too!

And then they came. Remarkable fireworks and my photos don't do them justice. I'd seen some I'd never seen before, coming down like confetti. Some were shot low, others high, which made for a lively display everywhere you looked!

There must have been a good two thousand people on the boardwalk, in the bleachers, peeking from windows and restaurants and the Chateau.

Children of all ages were delighted -- and if there was any bit of downside it was that there were so many fireworks, it was hard to see them through the smoke as the show went on!

But all good days come to an end, and so, too, did ours. Tomorrow we would leave...

Miss anything -- here are links to Day One (Arrival) / Our terrific B&B / Day Two, Morning / Day Two, Afternoon /