Rue des Remparts and Montmorency Park

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Quebec City
Rue des Remparts and Montmorency Park
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Rue des Remparts is a delightful spot! This is the stone ramparts at the very edge of the Upper Town. You can't really see where the Upper Town ends on the map, but it is here, and also at Dufferin Terrace. You are high high up over the Saint Lawrence River. The lovely thing is that you are looking out at the water through maple leaves, so leafy and green, catching the light. A blissful breeze wafts up from the river. This is a peaceful spot with not too many tourists, just an occasional polite person walking by. There are many cannons since it was a strategic location. 

From here you can take a quick detour, a side street, to Rue Couillard, a peaceful street, with absolutely gorgeous architecture. Chez Temporel is a quiet cafe here, a great find!  Rue Saint-Jean is nearby if you need other cafes and shops. It's a bustling, cruise-ship-like spot. It has many cafes, some handy since they are counter-service, and great live music at lunchtime in summer.
Continue your walk along Rue des Remparts toward Chateau Frontenac and you come to Montmorency Park National Historic Site, a sweet square full of history. Monument Saint Francois de Laval looms above, with a tall statue of the saint who was the first bishop of Quebec, and from the distinguished Montmorency family near Paris. The silhouette of the bishop is full of atmosphere against the historic buildings. In the leafy square, there is a regal statue of Guillaume Couillard, one of the first settlers in Quebec, who came around 1613. He had ten children with the daughter of farmer Louis Herbert (whose statue is also in the square) and most old French-Canadian families descend from him. There is also a homely statue of Marie Rollet and her three children. She was the first European woman to settle in Quebec and her husband was apothecary to Samuel Champlain's expeditions. Couillard's widow sold his land to the Seminaire de Quebec, which is across the street. 
There is also a red chair from Parliament, and a government building with colorful flowers planted up a slanted wall. Montmorency Park is full of trees that look glorious in the autumn!
A pedestrian bridge with lampposts called Prescott Gate leads across to a sidewalk full of adorable shops on Côte de la Montagne. There are two shops full of Native Canadian creations. I bought a lovely gift for my daughter at one of these, Le Palier. It is right by the stairs that go up to Chateau Frontenac, called Escalier Frontenac. La Cinquième Saison is another beautiful shop, full of cute kitchen items and children's toys. Côte de la Montagne street is such a fun street! It takes you on a steep walk down to the Lower Town, which is full of amazing galleries to explore!

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Statue of Saint Francois de Laval, the first bishop of Quebec, with the river beyond.

Statue of an Indian man at the base of the monument.

Elegant building.

Montmorency Park, above the river.

Montmorency park with its lanterns, sculptures, and blessed position atop the river.

The stone walls of the ramparts, near Rue Sainte-Famille.

Cannon and benches to sit by the walls.

Looking down at the port and the Lower Town.

Cannon and pleasing building.

A cruise ship at the port.

Middle Eastern-style windows on Rue des Remparts.

A man sits by a cannon with views of the river and Lower Town.

Blue bay windows and steeples.

Looking down at Louise Tavern, in the Lower Town.

Visitors stand by the walls.

Blue bay window on a lovely brick building.

Cannons at the ramparts.

Steeple of the Seminary of Quebec.

Seminary of Quebec!

Guillaume Couillard statue among the lush trees.

Maple trees of bright green.

I love maple leaves!

Maple trees over the river.

Guillaume Couillard had ten children!

Maple tree.

Marie Rollet and her three children. The first European woman to settle in Quebec.

Seminary steeple.

The chair from Parliament, in the square.

Red chair from Parliament in Montmorency Park.

Plaque about the red chair from Parliament.

Flower wall beside the stairs.

Monument Saint Francois de Laval, the first bishop of Quebec.

Prescott Gate, a pedestrian bridge.

Flowers on a living wall.

Beaver relief.

Monument Saint Francois de Laval silhouette.

Prescott Gate and its lampposts, with the chateau behind.

Looking through the wall openings, near Prescott Gate.

Looking at Lower Town through the openings in the wall near Prescott Gate.

The fortifications near Prescott Gate.

Côte de la Montagne street takes you on a steep walk down to Lower Town.

View of Levis, across the river.

Trees overlooking the Lower Town.

Cote de la Montagne leads down to the Lower Town.

View of the cute street, Cote de la Montagne.

Prescott Gate, a pedestrian bridge that goes over Cote de la Montagne.

View of the chateau and the buildings along Cote de la Montagne, from Prescott Gate.

View of Lower Town and the river, from Prescott Gate, a pedestrian bridge.

Directions

Rue des Ramparts is the street of the old stone ramparts. It leads to Montmorency Park National Historic Site. You can start your walk at 4 Rue des Remparts and head south toward Montmorency Park.

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Last Updated: Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:06:41 GMT

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