The Quebec 400th anniversary celebration features lots of free exhibits, street performances, outdoor theatre, and a few paid events. Check out a few of the free events and some of the paid ones also. Every evening there is a free multi-media exhibition along the Basin Louise, called "The Image Mill" which provides a pictorial review of Quebec City's history projected along a serie of huge grain silo. Through computer generated graphics they manage to flatten out the silos into the largest (600 m) outdoor project screen in the world. The show begins at 10:00 PM but getting a good view makes it necessary to find a space earlier. If you have a folding or camp chair you would be well advised to bring it otherwise several hours sitting on a hard pier or bench may be your only option. Since the focal point of the projection is located to the left of the giant "screen", it is adviseable to look for a seating place towards the left of the installation. The projection will take place until Sept 7, inclusively.
Quebec is a very clean and well maintained city. Its public transportation system is very user friendly and you can purchase one day passes ($6.15 CDN) for unlimited bus passages for the day or for two people on Saturdays and Sundays for the same price. You can also purchase tickets from all local convenience stores, one of them is called “Jac and Gil” by Carré d'Youville, near the western wall and St Jean Gate. Advisable if you spend four days in Quebec City and take advantage of the buses often. They are convenient and run frequently on schedule. Once you figure out where you are staying and which stops are located near your hotel or B&B, you can navigate quickly around the Old City, the Port area, and the many historic districts. for the duration of the 400th anniversary activities, there are special shuttle buses, # 400, leaving the Aquarium Park near the bridges all the way to Espace 400e in the Lower Town. For $2,25 CDN you may use the shuttle as often as you like on a given day.
One event that is a must is the yearly International Fireworks Exhibition at the Montmorency Park, held until Aug 6 in 2008. The setting is spectacular, featuring the large Montmorency waterfall in the center of the park surrounded by smaller falls. The transportation to the park is coordinated with amazing logistics and efficiency. A shuttle bus operated by the RTC (transit authority) leaves from the town center square called the Place d’Youville or Carré d'Youville. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes and costs the same as a regular bus fare. The display is incredibly beautiful. The competition is very good in a beautiful setting, set to music coordinated with the fireworks. At the conclusion of the display make your way back to the parking area where the bus had dropped off. The RTC organized well marked signs for each shuttle stop and had hundreds of buses ready to take the people back to the point of demarcation. Be amazed how coordinated they RTC were in getting the people back, it rivals the effort of any American city to do it so effortlessly. It makes the transportation to the event by car unnecessarty and troubleless.
If you are so inclined, definitely recommending renting a bike. Quebec City has miles and miles of fantastic biking trails. The trail which runs from the Espace 400th location along the Boulevard Champlain is fantastic. A newly constructed linear park ("Promenade Samuel de Champlain") along the trail features eclectic art work, fountains, rest areas, shelters and a café at the end of the line to refresh yourself with a light meal or a coffee; it follows the St Laurent river bank, and has been very popular among locals and tourists as well since its recent inauguration. Cyclo Services at 289 Rue St. Paul, in Lower Town, rents bicycles. The staff is friendly, the bikes are in good repair and the access is convenient. There is another bicycle rental available in Upper Town called Museovelo, at 463 St Jean St. The owner is a bike maniac, who used to be a dancer on bike ...
Another must see place is a stop at the small Marché de the Vieux Port, a farmer’s market right off the Rue St. Paul. The market includes incredibly fresh produce, a crêperie, several local wineries and lots of other treats. Sample the wonderful produce from the Ile D’ Orléans. Buy some fresh raspberries and strawberries which are the reddest and juiciest. Food is generally expensive in Québec City more so than in Montreal. Possibly because of the Quebec 400th celebrations there is some price gouging but it is hard to tell. The Rue St. Jean has some excellent smaller Bistros featuring local cuisine and traditional favorites. Two stand outs for you to check out are Le Hobbitt and Café Aux Bonnets D'Âne. Both are very European and great for casual dining in a relaxed pace. The latter is more like a local bistro frequented by people in the neighborhood, like the nearby Le Billig (serves crêpes) as well. Both places are very accommodating to English speaking patrons. Commensal is also a very good Vegetarian Buffet restaurant located along the Rue St. Jean which is highly recommend. The section of the “City” surrounding the Rue St. Joseph is a good place to visit with high end shopping and some great Pâtisseries’ to grab a snack or a coffee. The neighborhood is a little more diverse than you may feel comfortable about with an influx of homeless people but they don’t bother you and just seem to keep to themselves.
Quebec is a good walking city but there are some very long hills and steep climbs. Get to know the RTC system and couple that with your walking maps, added to the use of cable cars (one paying called Le Funiculaire, going from Petit-Champlain street and neighbourhood in Lower Town to Château Frontenac in Upper Town, and a free one leading to St-Roch neighbourhood in Lower Town) and you can ditch the car.
