Québec, Canada

Canada seems like one of those countries that would probably be quite nice to live in. It seems so down to earth and clean, and very beautiful, too, with lots of gorgeous nature.

Apart from Vancouver, the French-speaking Québec province fascinates me the most. Now *that* area probably wouldn't be the best place to live for me as I don't speak any French, but it does seem like a lovely area.





These particular postcards show glimpses of the Historic District of Old Québec, which is also a Unesco World Heritage site. Doesn't it look wonderfully colourful?!

Founded in the 18th century, Québec, illustrates one of the major stages in the European settlement of the Americas: notably, it was the capital of New France and, after 1760, of the new British colony. The Historic District of Old Québec is made up of two parts: the Upper Town, defended by fortified ramparts, citadel, and other defensive works; and the Lower Town, which developed around the Place Royale and the harbour. A well-preserved integrated urban ensemble, the historic district is a remarkable example of a fortified city of the colonial era, and unique north of Mexico.

The top postcard shows Château Frontenac. It was designed by American architect Bruce Price, and was one of a series of "château" 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, five years after its sister-hotel the Banff Springs. The railway company sought to encourage luxury tourism and bring wealthy travelers to its trains.

Thank you, Léo of Montréal, for these postcards!



The envelope in which these cards arrived had some very nice stamps on it. The one on the left is a commemorative one, issued in 2010. It shows Romeo LeBlanc, governor general of Canada from 1995 to 1999, who died in 2009. The other two stamps are from a set of 2 stamps, also issued in 2010, and they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy.