Quebec

Welcome to French Canada!

You will notice throughout Canada the two cultures at play – for example, signs in English and French – but nowhere in the country will you notice the mix of the two cultures as colourfully as in Quebec.

Quebec (pronounced ‘kebec’) is Canada’s largest province – more than double the size of Texas – and is a very different experience of Canada than other provinces. The residents of Quebec refer to themselves as ‘Quebecois’ in this province that is predominantly French speaking. The locals hold a strongly separate identity which accompanies the notion of being ‘Quebecois’ and in 2006, the Canadian House of Commons passed a motion, declaring the Quebecois a “nation within Canada”.

The thing to remember is that whilst travelling through Quebec, you are certainly still passing through Canada, but this area has an entirely different hue. Many elements in Quebec are strong reflections of Canada’s early days and the province’s strong French heritage. Whether it be cobblestones or amazing food, Quebec has its own style. You might occasionally see references in Quebec to “ROC”. Translation: Rest Of Canada.

The main city focus is split between Quebec City and Montreal. It wouldn’t be Canada without wilderness on your doorstep, so think of taking in the snow capped peaks of Mont Tremblant, the raw, indominatable nature of the Laurentians and the St Lawrence River, and the fountain spring of Canada’s development, the Hudson’s Bay.

Because of the breadth of Quebec the temperature can change greatly between different sections of the province as you head from continental to arctic. The more populous areas of Quebec are famed for having four distinct seasons – as opposed to the joke about much of Canada (“three months of summer and nine months of winter”). As you travel through this delightful province, remember Quebec has many calendar highlights including in February which marks the Maple Syrup festivities as they commemorate the ‘sugaring off’-  where the sap is drawn from the southern maple forests.

In winter, the Carnaval de Quebec is held over 17 days from the end of January and is the largest winter festival in the world, and third on the list of world’s best carnivals after Rio and New Orleans. Expect to see snow sculptures, winter sports, canoe races, dogsledding, dance parties, parades, and fireworks. If you’re in luck, the delegation from Calgary might even cook you flapjacks!

If you’re looking for whale watching, the St Lawrence River is home to the protected St Lawrence Beluga, and you may be fortunate enough to see the magnificent Blue Whale. If you’re skiing head to Le Massif, for the highest vertical drop east of the Rockies, and for a dose of luxury and Fairmont pampering, look to stay at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu – ‘a vision of historical splendour’.