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Published: October 16th 2013
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Manor MontmorencyToday we ventured outside of the city of Quebec. Our first stop was the Parc De La Chute-Montmorency just outside of the city.
These waterfalls can be seen from the main road and really are a bit of a tourist trap but you dont know that at the time! Cost us $32 to park the car and go up a short cable car ride up the mountain to see the falls. If you don't want to go up in the cable car you can walk up the 487 steps to the top. The stairs are anchored to the cliff side and from the stairs you are meant to hear the full force of the falls.
There is supposed to be a guide to talk about the falls on the ride up but we never saw one. At the top there is a walk to the suspension bridge which also gives you views of Quebec City. There is a walking circuit but its nothing special. We would have spent less than an hour here.
Next we drove to Sainte Anne Canyon which about 50 km out of the city. Admission here is $12 each. Here you walk over a
Montmorency fallsseries of steps, ledges and bridges over a deep chasm. The views are nice but having recently experienced canyons in British Columbia and Alberta on the west coast of Canada they really can't compete.
If you've only seen canyons on the east coast then I guess you may be impressed. Maybe we've just been spoilt but when you consider that on the West coast of Canada these types of attractions are free and are around every corner it seems a bit steep to charge customers $12 each for a similar view.
Driving through Sainte Anne we stopped to view the Basicilia. Across the road from the Basilica are the "holy stairs" - The Scala Santa - a replica of those that Jesus ascended at Pilates tribunal.
Behind there are a set of enormous bronze statues that are positioned along the hillside. The statues were very impressive set amongst the trees with the many colours of fall.
Also on the hillside is the Memorial Chapel which was built in 1676 and has been renovated several times. It was so nice just to wander in and look around these hillside buildings.
The present basilica was built in
View out to the St Lawrence river 1923 and is open every day to the public. The basilica boasts a multitude of magnificent paintings, mosaics, stained glass windows and both wooden and stone sculptures. The church consists of 2 floors -upper and lower - the lower floor is the home to the "immaculate Conception Chapel" and is dedicated to Mary.
After our look at the Basilica we headed back into Quebec City - driving along the waterfront in the Lower City. Quebec is definitely a beautiful city - we have enjoyed our stay here.
Walked around the cobble stone streets and stopped for dinner at a small pub "Antoine's". Enjoyed a beer along with a pizza and smoked meat sandwich before heading back to the hotel.
We were both feeling rather exhausted today - so many days travelling catches up and all you want to do is sleep!
Tomorrow we will leave Quebec City to go back to Montreal for 2 nights before flying to NYC.
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