Standing on the cobblestoned street of Rue du Petit Champlain as the rain hammered down, the towering Le Château Frontenac’s reflection glimmered on the windows of shops and slabs of stone. Experiencing rain in 32C Canadian heat is a surreal yet romantic feeling and perfectly suited to Quebec City.
The French elegance and heritage shines throughout the streets and buildings. Its origins can be traced back to the First Nations who resided in the area, but it is more well known for the later discovery by explorer Samuel de Champlain in the 16th century.
It is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and Old Quebec was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is the signature sight with the red-brick hotel towering over the city and St Lawrence River, acting as the perfect navigational marker.
Like Charles de Gaulle, Alfred Hitchcock and Paul McCartney, I also had the pleasure of staying in one of the hotel’s luxurious rooms. With dignified and stylish decor, dark wood panelling and muted tones, pale greys and yellows, leather desk chairs and lavish bathrooms, everything is so comfortable and inviting. Nestled toward the back of the property is Le Sam restaurant, which showcases some of Québec’s hottest culinary trends and ingredients.
The menu in itself was a feast for the eyes – local ingredients were scattered across all the different dishes, making a decision both exhilarating and difficult. The goat cheese and spinach puff pie, featuring caramelised onions with honey from the Château, was simply an explosion of fresh flavours and easily one of the best restaurant meals I have had. The accompanying cocktail was also a vibrant fruity tipple – a welcome refreshment in the summer humidity.
