Yes!
I’ve been back from Quebec City just over a month and have the most exciting news…I got engaged! Jared totally surprised me on our last day with a proposal in front of the Chateau Frontenac AND a kind stranger who had no idea the turn his role of snapping our picture would take! As our photos show, Jared was trying to catch a picture of the proposal by tricking me into thinking we were posing for just one last snap. However, the amateur photog got a little overwhelmed and missed the main shot! But the photos he did get are just as sweet:
Special note: You’ll notice I did indeed wear my outfit I posted in the pre-Quebec blog article!
And oh yes, Quebec City was magnifique! Here are some highlights and recommendations:
Lodging: We stayed in the cutest hotel, Maison Sur Le Cap. It is just across from the Chateau Frontenac and was perfect for late afternoon naps and warming up from the cold for a few hours.
Eating: We ate out at several restaurants, but here are the memorable ones:
1. Our first night’s dinner was at Le Lapin Saute down in the Lower City, very quaint and European-esque and full of rabbit (lapin = bunny, awww!).
2. Le Hobbit is definitely not to be missed. It is out of the city walls, but not far. Excellent atmosphere, food, and waitstaff.
3. Epicerie Richard is the place to go when you need a little nibble mid-afternoon to bring back to the hotel room while you kick off your heavy winter boots and let your legs warm up. We went here for pre-made deli sandwiches, drinks, and snacks when we didn’t want to spend money on a restaurant meal. I loved how they had fresh grapes, cheese, and crackers packaged up in the deli case. Who needs chocolate bars and chips?
4. Finally, the best deal around, Marche du Vieu Port, the Farmer’s Market! Even in February it was open every day and full of ciders, cheeses, breads, root vegetables, fresh pastas, seafood, meats, jams, mustards, pastries, chocolates, and most important: French Macarons! My new favorite treat.
I bought a bunch and was so gutted when we went after the proposal and there were only four left! Boo, I had wanted to buy a carload to take back to Maine. We ended up buying some fresh pastas, sauce, bread, and of course, ciders.
Entertainment: Our reason for going to Quebec City in the middle of the winter was for the Carnaval de Québec. I had never been and Jared hadn’t been for years. Go for the:
snow sculptures…
skijoring…
ice canoe racing, tobogganing, white water raft sledding, music, ice bars, outdoor drinking, and loads of other fun stuff!
Vieux Québec is a great place to visit. It feels so European yet is only a 5 hour drive from Portland, Maine. You need to go!
