Once you get north of Mexico, Quebec City is the only walled city in the world. This distinct characteristic is one of the unique facets that make Quebec City a magnificent place to visit. The atmosphere, official language, and culture of the town is French, and this becomes evident as you find out that 95% of the population of the city speaks in the native French tongue. Who are we to speculate, but it is most likely that this homogeneity is the reason why there are many fewer conflicts in Quebec City than in other, more diverse Canadian cities. Other regions such as Montreal constantly struggle over the French-English rivalry that has haunted the cities for decades, and is only getting worse. Meanwhile, the Anglophones (English-speaking Canadians) who migrate to Quebec City, adopt the French language and live in harmony with the rest of the citizens. The streets are safe and the locals are friendly, and the majority of the 648,000 citizens speak enough English to communicate with you effectively.
You should spend most of your time in the Vieux-Quebec district, which is the old walled portion of the city. Some of the best historical sights, restaurants and stores are here, and the surrounding architecture is glorious. The first colony in this region was built at Cape Diamond near the St. Lawrence River. This scenic area was home to traders, seamen, and merchants until the mid-1700?s, when a fire destroyed nearly everything. Thereafter, this portion of the city was rebuilt into a warehouse and wharf area, as the locals moved into much safer homes beyond the high cliffs of Quebec City. Over two hundred years later, the original Vieux-Quebec area is being rebuilt, with new cafes, entertainment, and shops to entice visitors. The ancient walled city is spectacular, and its location, overlooking the St. Lawrence River, is absolutely perfect. The air is fresh and the rustic granite houses beam with nostalgia, creating a lovely ambiance in picturesque Quebec City.
