French Canada (Montreal / Quebec City) (Multi-Day Tour)
This tour can be combined with Niagara Falls and Toronto travel packages
Tour package includes educational Step-On-Guides

Montreal is the second largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec.  Originally called Ville-Marie (City of Mary), the city came to be known as Montreal – a name derived from Mont Royal (literally Royal Mountain), the name of the three-head hill at the heart of the city.  Formerly the metropolis of Canada, it is the second largest French-speaking city in the Western world, after Paris.  Montreal has a unique mix of historical, natural and cultural offerings to satisfy even the most diverse student groups.  Montreal is truly an experience:  old world charm, French joie de vivre and a modern style all its own.

Quebec or Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec.  It is the second largest city in the province, after Montreal.  Quebec's Old Town (Vieux-Quebec), the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist, was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1985 as the ‘Historic District of Old Quebec.’  It is also one of the oldest cities in North America.

ARTILLERY PARK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA

This site, where the French built various defense structures in the 17th and 18th centuries, was of great strategic importance to the history of Quebec.  Towards the middle of the 18th century the area was gradually transformed into a garrison.  The British Royal Artillery Regiment established its headquarters here until 1871.  A cartridge factory set up in 1879 provided munitions for the Canadian army until it closed in 1964.  Today visit the three unique historic buildings within Artillery National Park: (i) the Dauphine Redoubt (1712) and its sumptuous setting of the officers' mess, (ii) the vaults and casemates and (iii) the Officers' Quarters (1818), with period furniture and restored chambers reflecting the decor of the era.  The old iron foundry (1901) industrial architectural building containing remains of a British powder magazine is also available.  Students can view a famous scale model of Québec (1806) and several exhibits.  Historic characters in period costumes will guide your group through the Park.

BATTLEFIELDS PARK

The site of many clashes for supremacy between the French and British Empires, Battlefields Park is the scene of the 1759 Conquest which changed the fate of North America.  The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, September 13, 1759, during the Seven Years War, fought upstream from Quebec on a tract of land that is thought to have been named after Abraham Martin, to whom it was granted from 1635-1645.  A powerful British force under Major-General James Wolfe was sent up the St. Lawrence to capture Quebec.  The French, commanded by Lieutenant-General the Marquis de Montcalm, at first held the British at bay.  The armies actually on the field seem to have been about numerically equal, but the British were all regulars, whereas many of the French were ill-trained militia.  The French attack was broken by British infantry fire and the French retired in disorder.  Both Wolfe and Montcalm were mortally wounded.  The French field army retreated up the St. Lawrence that night.  Quebec surrendered on September 18th.  A French attack early in 1760 failed to recover the city and later in the year the British captured Montreal and New France fell.  Apart from its historical past, the park is to Quebec what Central Park and Hyde Park are to New York and London: a city park of outstanding value, the lungs of the city.  One hundred and eight acres of meadow and grassy knolls, decked with flowers or covered with snow, are there for students to enjoy.  The Battlefields Park, which groups together the Plains of Abraham and the Des Braves Park, was developed to honor the memory of both French and British combatants.  Students will enjoy a guided tour of the park.

CANYON STE-ANNE

Located north of Quebec City, the beauty of Canyon Ste-Anne will be marveled by students.  You will travel to a preserved natural park where you will discover viewpoints and three suspension bridges, a succession of cascades and seven waterfalls rumbling between the abrupt walls of the Canyon Ste-Anne.  At the turn of the 20th century the river was used to float logs from lumbering operations and part of the dramatic gorge was created by dynamiting around 1917.  Trails descend both sides to the 181 foot high McNicoll Bridge above the yellowish iron-tinged water that crashes over massive rock walls.  From there, a trail follows the northern rim to Laurent Bridge, ending in an observation platform which offers an astonishing view of the canyon, the falls and a giant 49 foot caldron.  The woods that surround the gorge are privately owned and were only opened to the public in 1973.  Management has wisely avoided commercial intrusions along the trails and the few descriptive signs are muted, letting the undeniable natural beauty of the site speak for itself.

CENTRE D'EXPOSITION LA PRISON-DES-PATRIOTES

Within the walls of Montreal’s old prison, known as the Pied-du-Courant, the Centre d’exposition La Prison-des-Patriotes recalls the rebellions of 1837 to 1838, the Patriotes and their enemies as well as the imprisonment of 1,300 people, 12 of whom were hanged.  Guided visits describe the prisoners' living conditions, the building's architecture and the political motivations of these Patriotes.

CENTRE D'HISTOIRE DE MONTREAL

Housed in a former fire hall with elegant Dutch-inspired architecture (dating from 1903), the Centre d'Histoire de Montreal invites students on a captivating journey through the history of Montreal.  The exhibit Montreal, Five Times highlights significant events on the city's timeline since 1535, while Montreal of a Thousand Faces, in a more intimate setting, gives students a sense of the daily lives of Montrealers, both yesterday and today.

CHATEAU FRONTENAC

The Chateau Frontenac, a grand hotel, is one of the main attractions of Quebec City.  Designed by architect Bruce Price, the Chateau Frontenac was one of the first of a long series of ‘chateau’ style hotels built for the Canadian Pacific Railway company at the end of the 19th and the start of the 20th century.  It opened in 1893.  The railway company sought to encourage luxury tourism and bring moneyed travelers to its trains.  The hotel is perched on a tall cape overlooking the St. Lawrence River, thus giving a spectacular view for hundreds of miles.  Your guided tour of this historic property will be led by a costumed guide representing a character 100 years ago – perhaps a bellman, or a chambermaid, or even an honored guest.

DUFFERIN TERRACE

Dufferin Terrace overlooks the St. Lawrence River.  This terrace was built in 1838 on the site of the former Saint-Louis Fort that Samuel de Champlain had erected at the top of the cliff.  The terrace owes its name to Lord Dufferin, the governor of Canada from 1872 to 1878 and is by far the most visited student attraction in Quebec City.  In the spring you can see the water slowly run in the St. Lawrence River and in the winter you can see the ice fight against the current.  From up here you will get a breathtaking view on the South shore, the Île d'Orléans, the Old-Port and the Chateau Frontenac, the most photographed hotel in the world.  Your guides will show you the canons that were used to defend the city more than once, as well as the Champlain monument and the one dedicated to generals Wolfe and Montcalm who both died during the battle of the Plains of Abraham.

EXPORAIL / CANADIAN RAILWAY MUSEUM

The Canadian Railway Museum in Montreal features a collection of more than 160 cars, including 44 showcased in its new pavilion.  Canada’s most important museum of its kind allows students to discover its immense site on an old fashioned streetcar or take a ride on a miniature train.  Since the opening of its new exhibit pavilion, Exporail has become one of the most popular group student attractions of the Montreal region.  Exporail’s collection, one of the world’s best, is renowned for its authenticity and its quality.  It assures that students will learn everything about Canadian railway history.  Discover the fascinating world of trains and an unforgettable railway experience.

FORT CHAMBLY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA

Fort Chambly stands on the banks of the Richelieu River at the foot of the Chambly Rapids in Montreal.  Dating from 1711, the structure of this imposing stone sentry draws inspiration from the French fortifications designed by Vauban.  It protected New France from British attacks.  Fortunately, Fort Chambly withstood the upheavals of the history of New France.  It stands as an invaluable witness to the French presence in North America.  Restored in 1983, a number of thematic exhibitions and guided tours around the fort offer insight into its architectural history and archaeological remains as well as an unsurpassed view of the Richelieu River.

HOTEL DU PARLEMENT

The most important historical site in Quebec City, the Parliament Building is an imposing structure comprising four wings that form a square of about 330 feet per side.  In fact, it is one of the few buildings in North America whose architecture is in the Second Empire style. Your guided tour of the Parliament Building includes the National Assembly Chamber (where the members of provincial parliament sit) with its Renaissance architecture and the Legislative Council Chamber (standing committees have been held here since 1968).

LOUIS JOLLIET CRUISE

See Quebec, the river and its history from a whole new angle.  Along with your guide, discover the bucolic charm of Île d'Orleans.  Admire the Montmorency Falls – the highest waterfall in Eastern Canada.  View the port installations on both shores of the St. Lawrence and cruise beneath the prestigious Chateau Frontenac, perched atop Cap Diamant, with the majestic Laurentian Mountains in the background.  Go for less than an hour or enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise.  This unique experience awaits and is a great introduction to Quebec.  Follow in the wake of a legendary explorer and discover for yourself the attractions of Old Quebec and the surrounding countryside from aboard the Louis Jolliet.

MCCORD MUSEUM OF CANADIAN HISTORY

The McCord Museum of Canadian History in Montreal is home to one of the finest historical collections in North America.  It possesses the most important First Nations collection in Quebec, the foremost collection of Canadian costumes and textiles, and the Notman photographic archives, unparalleled in the world.  The McCord Museum conserves and presents over 1,375,000 objects, images and manuscripts, all irreplaceable reflections of the social history and material culture of Montreal.  These myriad items – glass negatives, pieces of fine china, hand-forged tools, beaded headdresses, historical letters and documents – represent the lives and dreams of the men, women and children that came before us.  They are words and actions brought to life, witnesses of our collective memory.  This collection is an inspiration for anyone seeking to explore the history of Canada.

MONTMORENCY FALLS

At 272 feet, Quebec’s Montmorency falls, named by Samuel de Champlain for his patron, the duke of Montmorency, are 98 feet higher than Niagara.  They are, however, far narrower.  The waterfall is surrounded by the provincial Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, where students can stop to take in the view from several perspectives (there are staircases that allow students to observe them from different angles).  A suspension bridge over the crest of falls provides access to both sides of the park as well as a spectacular view.  There is also an aerial tram that carries passengers between the base and the top of the falls.  In winter the plunging waters contribute to a particularly impressive sight: the freezing spray sent up by the falls builds a mountain of white ice at the base called the pain de sucre (sugarloaf), which sometimes grows as high as 100 feet.

MONTREAL SCIENCE CENTRE & IMAX THEATRE

Located on the site of the Old Port of Montreal, the one-of-a-kind Montreal Science Centre’s amazing, fun and surprising exhibitions allow students to explore, learn and understand through a variety of interactive means.  Students will discover new exploration halls, cultural and educational activities with a scientific and technological flavor, multimedia challenges, unusual games, special interactive areas and an interactive movie game.  The scientific exhibitions have been designed to make the science and technology that shape our daily lives more accessible, provide students with a direct and amusing connection to basic scientific concepts and techniques, and develop an understanding of the impact of scientific and technological applications on our daily lives and on society as a whole.  When you’re done, kick back and enjoy a movie on the IMAX Theatre giant screen.

MUSÉE DE FORT

Located in Quebec City, this museum presents a unique and original sound and light show that recreates the six attempts to take the city over the years.  The military history is related using a spectacular 400 square foot historic model of Quebec City in 1759 along with the latest visual and audio technology.  Permanent exhibitions with artifacts complete the show.  In a historic building facing the Chateau Frontenac, on Place d’Armes, the museum is an excellent start for the students’ visit to Quebec.  Both educational and entertaining, students will learn why Quebec City was considered impregnable due to its topography and location.

MUSÉE DE LA CIVILISATION

The Museum of the Human Adventure in Quebec is characterized by its innovative and daring outlook.  It defines itself as a seat of knowledge and ideas, a museum endowed with valuable collections, an education centre and a living memory.  The Musée de la civilisation links the past, the present and the future.  While remaining strongly rooted in the reality of Québec, it projects a new, attentive and dynamic outlook on all of human experience in its whole, and on civilizations from the world over.  Its thematic programming opens up the way for a great variety of topics, from the fundamental issues and major social problems of our times, to various aspects of daily life.  All exhibition themes are developed in a way that is both active and spectacular.  New interactive technologies and multi-media projections also contribute to the dynamism and accessibility of subjects.  At the Musée de la Civilisation, students enter into a world of discovery and exploration.

MUSÉE DES URSULINES DE QUEBEC

Facing the Ursulines' chapel, the Museum occupies a building erected in 1836, which is superimposed over the little house built in 1644 by Madame de la Peltrie, the Ursulines' benefactress.  A permanent exhibition entitled Les Ursulines en Nouvelle-France: Mission et passion highlights one of the richest artistic collections passed down from the French Regime is presented in the warm setting of this house converted into a museum.  Paintings, sculptures, embroideries, engravings, archive documents, furniture, decorative art objects and Amerindian handcrafts offer an authentic and refined illustration of the life and educational work of the Ursulines in the 17th century, and consequently of the religious and social history of Quebec.  Four themes are presented: (i) the arrival of the Ursulines in 1639, (ii) the evangelization of Amerindian girls and the education of girls in the 17th century, (iii) daily life at the monastery and (iv) the Ursuline's artistic activities, evoked by the art works selected from among the oldest in the collection and presented in a workshop.  A new fifth room presents a unique collection of liturgical ornaments embroidered with gold and silver thread by the Ursulines of Quebec City in the 17th and 18th centuries.

MUSÉE NATIONAL DES BEAUX-ARTS DU QUEBEC

The Musée’s main purpose is to showcase the creativity of Quebec artists from the 17th century to the present.  To do so, they regularly make use of their collection of more than 27,000 artworks and objects, which includes remarkable canvases, sculptures, drawings, engravings, decorative art and design articles, photographs, etc.  The Musée is also the largest public holder of works by Jean-Paul Riopelle and Jean Paul Lemieux, two of Quebec’s favorite artists, which it honors in permanent galleries.  The Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Quebec also regularly hosts major exhibitions featuring international art which in past years have spotlighted the artistic heritage of countries such as France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, England, Spain, the United States and the African continent.

NOTRE-DAME BASILICA OF MONTREAL

A masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, Notre-Dame Basilica was built between 1824 and 1829.  The magnificent interior sculpted in wood, paint and gold leaf and the boldly modern design of the Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur Chapel, captivate thousands of students each year.  Paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows illustrate biblical passages as well as 350 years of parish history.  In the evening a sound and light show presents the founding of Montreal and the Notre-Dame Basilica.  This state-of-the-art presentation highlights the Basilica's exceptional works of art and brings to life its cultural, architectural and spiritual heritage.

OLD MONTREAL

Located between the river and the city centre, Old Montreal and the Old Port will take you on a historic tour of a great North American metropolis.  So much of Montreal's unique past is still visible today – from the place where the city was founded in 1642, to physical evidence of all periods, such as the French colony’s winding paths, remarkable 18th and 19th century architecture and the first Canadian skyscrapers.  Architectural lighting has made the Old Port and Old Montreal more charming than ever, highlighting their rich past and the museums, boutiques, sidewalk cafés and public places that are alive with activities all year long.

PLACE D'ARMES

Place d'Armes, considered as a single heritage feature – the square itself, its central monument and the surrounding built environment, resonates with multiple historical meanings.  It is the heart of Montreal’s historic centre, summing up its diverse heritage.  The square is bordered by the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice (whose earliest construction dates back to 1684), the great Notre-Dame Basilica (which, when completed in the 1820s, replaced the 17th century church), the Bank of Montreal head office, two early 20th century skyscrapers and a modernist office tower built in the 1960s.  In the centre of Place d'Armes is a monument to Montreal's founder, Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve.  The work of sculptor Louis-Philippe Hébert, it portrays Maisonneuve surrounded by Charles Lemoyne, Lambert Closse, Jeanne Mance and an Iroquois brave.  In the evening Place d'Armes and the surrounding buildings are superbly enhanced by architectural lighting installed as part of the Old Montreal Lighting plan.  Horse-drawn carriage tours leave from different points around the square.

‘QUEBEC EXPERIENCE’

The hall of reception opens on a remarkable amphitheatre where the spectacle 3D is presented.  Students will be immersed in 40-minutes of emotions through the 400 years of Quebec’s history as the cradle of French civilization in North America.  The 3D show appeals to all the senses and takes you back to the midst of Quebec’s history.  The ‘Quebec Experience’ is a fantastic voyage in time and in space that beckons students to relive the era of the explorers, the magic of the Amerindians, the founding of Quebec and its development, the religious institutions, the skirmishes and wars, the age of the great shipyards, the bustling market life, the construction of major landmarks, as well as the vibrant culture life which shaped the extremely distinctive face of the city.

SAINT-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRE SHRINE

Each year, over 1.5 million pilgrims and visitors come to the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré to spend some time in peaceful prayer and reflection.  The Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in North America.  Through the presence of Saint-Anne and her daughter Mary, the Redemptorist community and their collaborators welcome you to Saint Anne's loving home.  Listen to the soft sound of carved stones.  Join in dialogue with the mosaics and stained glass windows.  They have joy and pain, faith, hope and love to share with you, all told from pilgrims of yore.  Students will enjoy a guided tour of this historic shrine.

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