PlanetEye

I don't think that there has been a time when Quebec City had that many visitors.   Of course the 400th anniversary celebrations and the publicity around these events can provide us with an explanation.  But the truth is that Quebec is an extraordinary destination with excellent deals, more things to do that you can imagine and, most of all, a unique atmosphere.

Things offered these days can be as simple as a pleasant sidewalk café and as unusual, but extraordinary, ephemeral gardens planned and designed by landscape artists from France, the US and of course various provinces in Canada.   Each of the 11 gardens (you can get a 45 minutes free guided tour) has a different aesthetic and ideological concept but all of them deal essentially with the environment and its protection for future generations.   They all provide an enjoyable walk along the marina in the city's old port.

A bit further, along the river side, are the most surprising vegetable gardens built of the steps above the Museum of Civilisation.  This "exhibition" is a call to protect water, abundant today in our regions but so scarce in other parts of the world.

If you are environmentally conscious, if you enjoy an immersion in nature, Quebec City is one of the rare places on earth to have access to so many parks and forests.   One of them, within the city it self is the Parc du Bois de Coulonge where you have a 3 km trail through grounds planted with maple trees.   From time to time, you come upon a garden showing French or British influences, planted with bushes of seasonal flowers.  The gravel alleys also take you to a gazebo overlooking the Saint Lawrence River.  The former residence (burned not so long ago) and grounds of the residence of various representatives of the British Crown, some of the utilitarian buildings still remain.

A fee is charged for parking on weekdays and the park is accessible by bus (line 11).   Picnic tables are available.