Anniversary extravaganzas to come
People are already exited at the idea of some of major shows scheduled for this summer in Québec City. It will all begin next June 23 with the celebration of John the Baptist, Patron Saint of the province of Quebec. From 7:00PM (the festivities generally last all night), a bevy of stars will perform on the Plains of Abraham. Among them: Ariane Moffat, Stephie Shock, Pierre Lapointe, Kevin Parent and Andrée Waters. A special tribute will be paid to Felix Leclerc, a symbol among song writers of Quebec, who died in August of 1988. Rain or shine, about 100.000 people are expected. In deed, every year, many (young men and women particularly) come in from all over the province. Streets are packed and buses so filled that most must walk to the site of the free concert. But those who prefer to remain in the comfort of their home, the local TQS television stations usually broadcasts the concert live.
The next big event will take place a few days after, on July 3, commemorating the foundation of the city. The show will then move to the place in front of the General Assembly. 15 musicians will accompany major stars like Robert Charlebois, Diane Dufresne, Ginette Reno...
In the meantime, as of June 20th, the 40 minutes video production «Moulin à
images» by Robert Lepage will be projected by some 27 cameras on the grain silos on the river banks. Film clippings and images will narrate the city's history on an original soundtrack by René Luissier.
Last but not least, after the yearly Summer Festival, world renowned Celine Dion will perform on the plains of Abraham and the Cirque du Soleil will give two performances at the Coliseum. Tens of thousands of free thickets will be distributed for these events. Details will come later.
The Roger Van den Hende botanical gardens
May is the month when, every year since 1978, the Roger Van den Hende botanical gardens are open to the public. Created in 1966, its purpose was at first educative: It was to be and still is an experimental place for students of the Faulty of food and Agricultural Sciences of the University Laval. This is why it's located on the outskirts of the University campus.
Once you enter these 15 acres, you forget that you are in the middle of one of the busiest sections of Quebec City, an area where you find many business offices, shopping smalls, hotels and intense automobile traffic. The garden is so quiet, and the Zen atmosphere created by this lovely water garden at the entrance sets de mood for the rest of the visit. You can stroll through collections of over four thousands species of indigenous plant species and also of plants imported from various regions of the world. . One of my wife's favourite spots is the rose garden at the back, through the arboretum.
Guided tours and activities for children are offered as well as lectures from experts. The gardens are open through the summer until the month of October. It's located at:
2480, Hochelaga Boulevard
Quebec (Ste-foy), Quebec
More info is available by phone at (418) 656-3410
Au temps perdu : Café - Restaurant
I you feel the urge to get out of the tourist circuits, out of the historical district, I would lie to suggest an escape to the former city of Ste. Foy, now a borough of greater Quebec. It's actually not more that a half hour from the center of town and reachable by the No. 7 bus line. You may ask the driver to let you off at the corner of rue Myrand, a block before one of the main entrances to the Laval University campus. You cross Chemin Ste.-Foy , walk about a mile to a crossroad by a shaded park There you will find a nice café-restaurant with the suggestive name : Au temps perdu, a place where precisely you can take time and enjoy either their wide selection of beers during their happy hour (4-7 PM). You can also go there for lunch and have delicious and inexpensive meal ( more or less $12.00). The lunch menu includes various international dishes. I had the orange duck that was absolutely delicious. Their terrace is now open and you can enjoy the atmosphere of a nice residential neighbourhood while having some nachos, a sandwich, a hot dogs on French bread, or some thin crust pizza.
Although it's often full (their clientele is mostly business people and university students) it's not necessary to make reservations. But if you feel the need to do so, give them a call.
Au temps perdu
867, avenue Myrand
Quebec, Qc G1V 2V8
(418) 681-5601