Quebec Trip #13: Boardwalk,Toboggan Run, Citadel and Quebec's Founder

The Toboggan Run

In this blog about our trip (in May) to Old Quebec City, you'll learn about Chateau Frontenac's Boardwalk, Toboggan Run, the Citdel and the city's founder because they're all in the same place! 


OUT ON THE BOARDWALK - In the Upper Town, adjacent to the famous Chateau Frontenac that we've been talking about in our last couple of blogs, there's a great boardwalk.

Rob's sketch of what's what

   Walk on this beautiful wooden boardwalk that runs alongside the St-Lawrence river. You can watch the boats, the ferry and on the other side of the river, see Levis (the city on the other side of the river). It's a beautiful place that's packed with tourists. There are benches available all over to sit and relax and sometimes there are actors and troubadours singing and playing guitar, as well as acrobatic shows. 

THE TOBOGGAN RUN - The traditional toboggan run is one of the very oldest attractions in town. It's operational in the winter time of course, when the snow falls and last I checked it was about $2.00 per person.
 Zooming down at speeds of up to 70 kph  (43 mph)  is quite a rush! The three icy runs are open from mid-December to mid-March, or even longer if weather permits. Up to four passengers per toboggan.(See below for a video of the quick trip!). For information: http://www.au1884.ca/en/

Hotel Frontenac

THE CITADEL -  Although we didn't go in the
The Citadelle of Quebec, also known as La Citadelle, is an active military installation and official residence of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada. 
  CITADEL TIES TO BENEDICT ARNOLD- It was built in 1775 after the attack from Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery of the U.S. attempted to take Quebec on 31 December. There, Montgomery was killed  and Arnold wounded and forced to retreat. The Americans attempted to  keep Quebec under siege, but withdrew after the arrival of British  reinforcements in the spring of 1776.
   It is located atop Cap Diamant (Cape Diamond), adjoining the Plains of Abraham. It's the oldest military building in Canada,  and forms part of the fortifications (walls) of Quebec City.
For more about the Citadel's history, go to Wikipedia's entry which is quite lengthy!

Statue of Champlain

SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN'S STATUE AND ODD FACT - There's never been a portrait of Champlain located, so sculptors and artists just imagined how he looked to create a statute. His remains have never been found either!
  WHO IS HE? - Champlain is known as "The Father of New France," because he founded Quebec on July 3, 1608!  He was a French navigator, cartographer, draftsman, soldier, explorer,  geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and chronicler.  He is important to Canadian history because he made the first accurate map of the coast and he helped establish the settlements.


 Here's a video of the Toboggan Run in operation during winter: https://youtu.be/_2gh0JGjwVw