Quebec City's 400th anniversary should mean plenty more visitors for this fascinating Francophone corner of Canada.
Just back from a week in Quebec City. The city is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year – that’s 400 years since it was founded by Samuel de Champlain. It was the first settlement in New France and today the French language is still dominant – I met a couple of people who said they didn’t speak English at all. A few others said they didn’t know much English – though they then proceeded to speak it pretty competently. What was interesting was how different the French of Quebec sounded to that spoken in France. I found it really hard to catch anything – far more so than in say, Paris or Lille. In the end I didn't even attempt my usual efforts at Franglais.
“Some French people laugh when they come here,” one local told me. “They certainly notice a difference and say that we speak very quickly. They also think it’s funny that we don’t allow any Anglicisms in Quebec French.” “So, you don’t say ‘le weekend’ or ‘le camping’?” I ask. “Oh no,” she looks rather appalled at the thought.
The city also has a more European feel than others in Canada or North America. There are little squares, some winding streets and – perhaps most welcome of all – you can walk everywhere. In fact you get great exercise, since Quebec City is divided into a lower town by the old port, and a higher town on top of the escarpment. Walking up and down the steps between them tones the thighs beautifully. Good thing too, if – like me - you’ve given in to temptation in the local patisseries .
