Since the Canadians aren’t coming to the U.S., we decided to visit Quebec City and Montreal. We have been to Montreal but Quebec City would be a new experience.

Bonjour!

We spent several days in Quebec City, staying at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, which encompasses three sites in Quebec City’s Old Port. During the construction of the hotel a large-scale archeological dig discovered several new artifacts, some of which date to the 1600s and are on display at the hotel.

One night we had an incredible dinner at the former Chez Muffy, which has been renamed but was still wonderful. Also, the hotel had one of the best showers in hoteldom.

The old city is very European in design and atmosphere. It is also very vertical. Every day is leg day when walking, which helped us since the food was pretty good!

The highlight of our food tour was la Buche, offering cuisine québécoise and a sugar shack experience, culminating with maple syrup spread on ice to make a maple lollipop.

The menu for the last stop in the food tour included poutine (of course) and gin.

Montreal

After a few days we boarded the VIA train to Montreal, where Robert’s Lambda Alpha International organization was gathering.

We stayed by the Place d’Armes, the location of one of my favorite art pieces, “The English Pug and The French Poodle,” designed by local artist Marc André J. Fortier.

It consists of a well-dressed Englishman, holding his pug, sticking his nose up to Notre-Dame Basilica. Parallel to him is a woman in Chanel-style suit, holding a French poodle, snobbishly glaring at the Bank of Montreal’s head office.

We did have some free time to visit the Marche Jean-Talon, one of the most incredible farmer’s markets ever.

Another culinary treat was two dinners at Monarque, a lovely French restaurant. We had been there twice on our previous visit to Montreal and it was so good we decided to visit again – twice! Helpful hint – get a reservation at the bar; the bistro menu looks much better than the restaurant.

Au revoir Canada!

So, we reluctantly said goodbye to Canada and returned to the chaos of America to prepare for our next adventure – London.