The Paris Independent
24
December 16, 2023
T R AV E L & L E I S U R E My friend and I both wanted to have crepes for exceptional. We were able to wander freely breakfast on Sunday. When we passed a restaurant throughout the church and each chapel was that had them on the menu, we popped in to see about breathtaking. From the art to the architecture, it is well a booking. They weren’t taking reservations, but we worth the short trip. were assured there would be a place. The gentleman Returning to the city, my friend and I were dropped did take my name. off back at the Christmas Markets, for another quick Sunday, we chose a short drive to see Montmorency walk around. With the crowds at that point in the day Falls and Saint Anne de-Beaupre Basilica. But first (3:30 pm), quick was only a wishful thought. Still it our crepes! felt like a festive time. Dinner was booked at the hotel’s Matto restaurant. Their menu is Italian and we The place we had scouted on Saturday was a bit of a all chose different entrees; each being declared the hike past the Frontenac, so we decided to stop by the best meal of the weekend! Cochon Dingue first. Here is where Quebec gets a bad rep; we were first in the door and asked if they had Having spent a little time driving, it reduced our step room for the 4 of us. Our request was totally ignored. count on Sunday:13,000 steps, 39 staircases and just The waiter looked at his computer as if we hadn’t over 8 kilometres. spoken or he hadn’t heard us and walked away. We The weather for the weekend, while cold and waited and he never returned. I have to say though this sometimes cloudy, was dry. Monday morning was was the only time we experienced this bad behaviour. checkout day and to make sure we had the total Most times it was a warm friendly exchange. The Quebec experience, Mother Nature delivered literally place we had chosen the day before proved to have a foot of snow! delicious food and exceptional staff.
After incredible crepes, it was a short walk to the Plains of Abraham. The plains lie at the western edge of the old walled city, overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The plateau was the scene of a battle (Sept. 13, 1759) between the French under the Marquis de Montcalm and the British under James Wolfe in which both leaders were mortally wounded. After a 30minute battle, the British won. Now it was back to the hotel and off on our little trip to see the falls and the Basilica. GPS made it a quick trip to Montmorency; the cable car was closed for the season. Still a nice, short walk gave us a picturesque view of the falls and the St. Lawrence River. About 20 minutes from the falls is the Basilica of Saint Anne de-Beaupre. Unfortunately, a good portion of the outside facade was under construction, covered in scaffolding. What was visible though, was still
Pictured is the Basilica of Saint Anne de-Beaupre. Karon explored the church and from the art to the architecture, it was breathtaking. All photos by Karon Sinning
