President Trump and world leaders have met in Charlevoix for the G-7 summit. Located in the Quebec Province of Canada, both Quebec and Charlevoix are dynamic travel destinations replete with history, food, incredible hotels and more.
QUEBEC and CHARLEVOIX, Canada: Charlevoix, Canada, where the G-7 summit is being held is, without a doubt, a gem for travelers, environmentalists, and adventurers. The G-7 summit is being held at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu (1899), is about ninety minutes north of the Capital City of Quebec.
The Le Manoir Richelieu is an architectural doppelganger to the Fairmont property, the Château Frontenac, a National Historic Site of Canada, located in Old Town Quebec. The Chateau Frontenac is replete with old world charm, architecture, and art and furnishings dating back to 1893 when American architect Bruce Price began designing a series of “chateau” style hotels for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPR). Hotels designed for the CPR include the Banff Springs Hotel, opening in 1888, among many others.
Getting to Charlevoix, if you don’t have your own helicopter, means an opportunity to fly into and visit Old Quebec. Old Quebec is rich in historical buildings dating back to 1608 when Samuel de Champlain founded the city where the mighty St. Lawrence and the St. Charles rivers converge.
The location made the city easier to defend from the rivers and land as the St. Lawrence that runs alongside the Old Town naturally narrows so that ships were unable to converge en-masse to attack the fortified city. Today it remains one of the only fortified cities to exist in North America.
Many visitors associate Canada’s national food, Poutine with its history. However, this dish of fried potatoes laden with gravy and “squeaky” white cheese curds only dates back to mid-1970s. However, when in Canada, do as the Canadians do. After having tried many version’s of this national treat, my personal favorite was found at the Le Chic-Shack, conveniently located across the square from the Château Frontenac.
What makes them the best – roasted red potatoes with rosemary are covered with flavorful and tender brisket and cheese curds and their gravy – which starts with a base of chicken, beef, and pork stock, seasonings all triple strained to silky goodness.
Old Town Quebec begins with the Lower Town, Petite-Champlain, considered to be the Most Beautiful Street in Quebec. Summer, Spring, Winter and Fall, Petit-Champlain is a historic area full of ages old architecture and modern day art and shopping.
A must-stop (for many) is the La Fudgerie located at 16 rue du Cul-de-Sac. This little shop offers a variety of fudge including flavors like Wasabi Fudge. More standard varieties include fudge shaped like sausage and sliced caramel and almond fudge brittle.
A Funicular takes riders from Lower Town to Upper Town where The Château Frontenac, looking much like a castle out of Harry Potter’s realm and where the Korean soap opera Guardian: The Lonely and Great God [ -Goblin was, in part, filmed. The Chateau Frontenac is the most photographed hotel in the world, due to its position on the skyline. That red door is actually the emergency exit for the Théâtre Petit Champlain in Old Quebec’s Lower Town.
Inside the walls is the Citadel, built by the British in the early-mid 1800s. Today it is an active garrison, home to the Royal 22nd Regiment of the Canada Forces. It is also open to tourism and you can take a tour of the Citadel, as well the history museum.
Quebec City is the area’s third attraction. Shops, eateries, street vendors, cafe side-walks and fabulous churches abound inside the fortified wall.
Shrines, Basilicas, and Churches in Canada are as remarkable as those found in Europe. The Notre-Dame De Quebec Basilica-Cathedral is no exception. The church is a Historical Monument of Quebec and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is the first cathedral built north of Mexico and is referred to as the first ancestor of all the Catholic parishes to follow in both Canada and United States.
Viewing the door up-close, regardless of your religious history, is awe inspiring. The door’s exterior opener is Christ’s outstretched hand. The interior of the brass door features the Dove of Peace emanating down to the Virgin Mary. Other images on the door are of women, children, and family.
The Notre-Dame de Québec’ is important to the goal of keeping French alive in North America. The shrine has been a part of the cultural changes shaping religious society over the centuries. Notre-Dame de Québec’ is often said to be the “Rome” of the New World.
The Diocese of Quebec was founded in 1793 and by 1804 The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity opened its doors. The Cathedral was designated a National Historic Site of Canada and it is protected under provincial heritage legislation.
The Church’s Palladian style architecture is modeled after the St. Marin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square, London. King George III paid for the church’s construction. The bell-towers eight bells are the oldest change-ringing peal in Canada.
A boutique hotel located in Old Quebec’s lower-town, the Auberge Saint-Antoine is impressive in its design, individualized rooms, and farm to fork dining at Chez Muffy.
Auberge Saint-Antoine, located along Québec City’s Old Port, and facing the St. Lawrence River features more than 300 years of Quebec history. Over its history, the property has been a wharf building, then a cannon battery, and then later in use by British merchants. The hotel is the result of combing three different buildings.
As the three buildings, one of which served as a bank and rooms still feature the vaults, fireplace mantels, architectural oddities and other items from the original structure. The construction of a below building parking lot became an archaeological dig that revealed new artifacts, some dating back to 1600.
Those artifacts, bits of pottery, household items, original exposed brick walls and century-old exposed wood all add to hotels unique charm where, around every corner, there is something new to talk about.
With over 300 years of history to its name, the Price family is dedicated to preserving Auberge Saint-Antoine’s history while providing a modern and luxurious 21st Century hotel experience.
During the construction of Auberge Saint-Antoine, a final large-scale archaeological dig was held that led to the discovery of several new artifacts, some of which date back to the 1600s. The objects discovered shed new light on a part of Québec City’s history. These precious items were documented and restored by the conservation center and are now on display throughout the hotel. You can find these artifacts featured in the common areas and guest rooms as a tribute to more than three centuries of Québec history.
The property also includes impressive business meeting spaces and projection theater room.
