[geomorph]

My photo threads highlight urban areas I have visited, featuring what I found to be the most notable landscape architecture and urban design and architecture projects that I experienced, especially modern design. As such, these highlight collections are probably a good primer for anyone with the same interests who is planning on visiting this city. I avoid posting poorly composed shots, redundant series of images, construction progress updates, and pictures of gritty decay and weird urban character studies. That way, viewers do not need to trudge through a quagmire in need of an editor. All killer, no filler!

Quebec highlights photographed in July 2008:
This thread focuses on Quebec City, specifically the historic area on and around Cap Diamant which forms the original city founded in 1608.

Historic skyline:
These views are from the smaller town of Levis, across the St. Lawrence River.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/827/quebec002.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/i/quebec002.jpg/)

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3561/quebec003.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/quebec003.jpg/)

Vieux-Quebec Basse-Ville:
The historic lower old city lies along the St. Lawrence River and contains a large area of 17th century buildings around the Place-Royal. A funicular, stairways, and a winding street connect this area to the walled Haute-Ville which looms above. Also here is the Musee de la Civilisation, a modern building by Moshe Safdie that contains galleries devoted to Quebec's human history and culture. Nearby is Vieux-Port, with additional waterfront facilities including a modern visitor center pavilion that faces an immense series of silos across the basin.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7123/quebec004.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/quebec004.jpg/)

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1518/quebec022.jpg (http://img124.imageshack.us/i/quebec022.jpg/)

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/8138/quebec007.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/i/quebec007.jpg/)

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2971/quebec011.jpg (http://img124.imageshack.us/i/quebec011.jpg/)

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5108/quebec013.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/i/quebec013.jpg/)

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9923/quebec020.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/quebec020.jpg/)

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/1286/quebec021.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/i/quebec021.jpg/)

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/1705/quebec005.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/i/quebec005.jpg/)

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/2203/quebec006.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/i/quebec006.jpg/)

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/8157/quebec008.jpg (http://img124.imageshack.us/i/quebec008.jpg/)

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2662/quebec009.jpg (http://img124.imageshack.us/i/quebec009.jpg/)

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/5176/quebec012.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/i/quebec012.jpg/)

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/3044/quebec017.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/i/quebec017.jpg/)

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9853/quebec081.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/i/quebec081.jpg/)

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/7893/quebec083.jpg (http://img365.imageshack.us/i/quebec083.jpg/)

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/3612/quebec084.jpg (http://img359.imageshack.us/i/quebec084.jpg/)

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6798/quebec088.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/i/quebec088.jpg/)

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6622/quebec090.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/i/quebec090.jpg/)

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/1395/quebec091d.jpg (http://img359.imageshack.us/i/quebec091d.jpg/)

Vieux-Quebec Haute-Ville:
The historic upper old city is perched on Cap Diamant, the defensive hill which is surrounded by ramparts. This walled city is a wonderland of 17th century buildings and twisting small streets, with occasional newer buildings from the 18th to early 20th century. It retains a European hilltown feeling and is a delight to wander. The massive Chateau Frontenac hotel towers over most of the Haute-Ville.

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2269/quebec074.jpg (http://img111.imageshack.us/i/quebec074.jpg/)

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/6595/quebec079.jpg (http://img110.imageshack.us/i/quebec079.jpg/)

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/9356/quebec076.jpg (http://img359.imageshack.us/i/quebec076.jpg/)

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/8266/quebec078.jpg (http://img366.imageshack.us/i/quebec078.jpg/)

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/790/quebec064.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/quebec064.jpg/)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1298/quebec065.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/i/quebec065.jpg/)

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8707/quebec058.jpg (http://img295.imageshack.us/i/quebec058.jpg/)

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/6546/quebec063.jpg (http://img386.imageshack.us/i/quebec063.jpg/)

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2381/quebec056.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/i/quebec056.jpg/)

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2393/quebec048.jpg (http://img238.imageshack.us/i/quebec048.jpg/)

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3125/quebec049.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/i/quebec049.jpg/)

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/5794/quebec050.jpg (http://img381.imageshack.us/i/quebec050.jpg/)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2733/quebec028.jpg (http://img507.imageshack.us/i/quebec028.jpg/)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/5778/quebec034.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/i/quebec034.jpg/)

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/2655/quebec031.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/i/quebec031.jpg/)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/7015/quebec032.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/i/quebec032.jpg/)

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1632/quebec026.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/quebec026.jpg/)

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/741/quebec027.jpg (http://img381.imageshack.us/i/quebec027.jpg/)

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/6199/quebec043.jpg (http://img381.imageshack.us/i/quebec043.jpg/)

Gare du Palais:
This train station is just outside of Vieux-Quebec but echoes the style of the Chateau Frontenac.

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9683/quebec053.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/quebec053.jpg/)

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/475/quebec051.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/quebec051.jpg/)

Hotel du Parlement:
Quebec's provincial government is centered just outside the old city's walls and features a large plaza and park in front.

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1824/quebec067.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/i/quebec067.jpg/)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/3692/quebec069.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/i/quebec069.jpg/)

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/7894/quebec070.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/i/quebec070.jpg/)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/9822/quebec072.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/i/quebec072.jpg/)

Enjoy! You can also see my threads 'Tacoma - Highlights', 'Portland - Highlights', 'Seattle - Highlights', 'Omaha - Highlights', 'Denver - Highlights', 'Philadelphia - Highlights', 'Boston - Highlights', 'Palm Beach - Highlights', 'Saint Augustine - Highlights', 'Dallas - Highlights', 'Fort Worth - Highlights', 'Tampa - Highlights', 'Baltimore - Highlights', 'Washington DC - Highlights', 'Toronto - Highlights', 'Montreal - Highlights', 'Ottawa - Highlights', 'Honolulu - Highlights', 'Miami - Highlights', 'Las Vegas - Highlights', 'New York City - Highlights', 'Canberra - Highlights', 'Sydney - Highlights', 'Cincinnati - Highlights', 'Indianapolis - Highlights', Saint Louis - Highlights', 'Kansas City - Highlights', and 'Atlanta - Highlights'.

[Brandon716]

I want to do a Montreal - Quebec tour someday. Beautiful shots!

[LAsam]

Does anyone know what that white stone is that appears to have been used to construct a lot of the older buildings? I assume whatever it may be is found in abundance in that area...

[Arseniq33]

I will never get tired of that city, ever.
I've probably been there over 15 times, and it feels like the first time every time.

[PhilippeMtl]

Does anyone know what that white stone is that appears to have been used to construct a lot of the older buildings? I assume whatever it may be is found in abundance in that area...


The rock used was a kind of limestone very common in Quebec area. During the french regime (before 1760), most of rock was clay limestone called Pierre noir de Quebec (Black rock of Quebec), used for indoor walls. The exterior was made of lime mortars.

Here is a link if you want to practice your french ;)

http://www.ggl.ulaval.ca/ledoux/roches_carbonatees.html#1

[Okstate]

Stunning.

[Wheelingman04]

I was there in 2002, but I am going back with some friends next year. It's almost too good to be true that a city and province can be one of the world's best.

[geomorph]

Philippe, thanks for the stone info!

[LouisianaRush]

Fantastic

[geomorph]

I'm wondering if anyone went there this summer and if it was alot less crowded than last summer's 400 year anniversary celebrations!

[le calmar]

I haven't been to Q.C. this summer, and really wanted to, that sucks... I haven't been there last summer either, so I can't tell. From what I remember this city is always crowded in the summer.

[ShadowMaster]

You're really knocking it out, Geo! Fantastic job, what more can I say. You are covering some old northern American settlements and it's architecture. I like QC, although I never been there, I will definitely visit one day.

[geomorph]

Shadowmaster, thank you. Speaking of historic settlements, I would like to visit and photograph Santa Fe someday, I have only been there once 10 years ago and only took a few photos.

[ErickMontreal]

Great job! Thanks!

Proud to live in such a nice city!

[pablosan]

Fantastic