The ball finds its mark at La Citadelle de Québec in this round through Quebec City. The map is the real city and the game is played on its actual streets, using real attractions as the holes. Skip knows every cobblestone and alleyway here, even the ones where the best crumbs hide. This full round of 18 holes with a par of 50 covers a 9.5 km walk, aided by 6 portals for the longer stretches between districts.
Perched atop Cap Diamant, the high cliffs provide a commanding view of the surroundings. This is the site of La Citadelle de Québec, a citadel and military museum designed by architect Elias Walker Durnford. It is a classified federal heritage building of Canada and remains an active military installation today. When the monarch of Canada is in Quebec, the Citadelle is their official residence. I've noticed that the height of the walls makes the whole place feel like a fortress watching over the city.
You might see the name and think of a place to sleep, but this is actually the Hôtel du Parlement. It is a parliament building that houses the National Assembly of Quebec. Designed by architect Eugène-Étienne Taché, the structure was built between 1877 and 1886 in a Second Empire style. While the building was fully completed on 8 April 1886, the National Assembly first met there on 27 March 1884. I've seen plenty of folks stop to admire the facade, and it's easy to see why this eight-floor building is part of a Quebec heritage property.
You might think of a place to watch the stars, but this is an observatory for the city itself. The Observatoire de la Capitale lets you look down on the surroundings from a height of 221 meters. It is a great spot to get your bearings and see how the streets lay out below. I usually find the wind is a bit stronger up here than on the sidewalks, but the view makes the climb worth it. Whether you are a visitor or a regular, seeing the layout from this height changes how you perceive the neighborhood.
Let me show you Fontaine de Tourny, which is a fountain located in the heart of the city. It is a place where you can stop and admire the water as it flows. Work on this structure was started in 1857. I usually see people gathering around the base while I am flying overhead, making it a great spot for you to take a break during your walk. It is a simple pleasure to watch the water move, and it provides a nice point of orientation for anyone visiting this part of the town for the first time.
You will first notice the distinct architecture of this museum, which is actually a drill hall. It is a classified federal heritage building of Canada and was established from 1938 to 1939. The site is located in the Battlefields Park, a historic area known as the Plains of Abraham. This specific ground is significant because the Battle of the Plains of Abraham took place here on 13 September 1759. The land was ceded to Quebec City in 1908, and today the park is used by 4 million visitors and tourists annually. I've seen plenty of crowds gather here during the warmer months.
The Chapelle des Jésuites is a chapel located in the Old Quebec neighbourhood of Quebec City. Its construction took place from 1818 to 1930, with an inception in 1820. François Baillairgé was the architect of the building. The site is situated on Rue Dauphine close to the ramparts of Quebec City. Today, the chapel remains a significant part of the local area as it is part of a Quebec heritage property. It serves as a chapel of the Society of Jesus within the historic confines of the city.
Let me show you the Musée de la Civilisation de Québec. This history museum was designed by architect Moshe Safdie in a postmodern architectural style. It is situated in the historic Old Quebec area near the Saint Lawrence River and is part of a Quebec heritage property. Since it opened its doors to the public on 19 October 1988, it has become a major draw, seeing 496,647 annual visitors. You can pick out the unique shapes of the building as you approach the riverfront.
Let me show you the Musée Naval de Québec. This museum focuses on the maritime history of the area, offering visitors a chance to see how the sea shaped the city. It is a great spot for anyone interested in nautical exhibits. I usually find the best views of the harbor from nearby, but the museum is where the real stories are kept.
Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is a Roman Catholic stone church located on Place Royale in the lower town of Old Quebec City. Construction of the building started in 1687 and was completed in 1723, though its inception was in 1690. It was built on the site of Champlain's habitation. Because of its history and presence in the city, the building is now a national historic site of Canada and is also a classified heritage immovable.
You are not looking at a municipal hall or a museum. This is St. Andrew's Church, a church building that was started in 1810. It is part of a Quebec heritage property. The site is home to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, which is a Presbyterian church congregation located in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. This specific congregation belongs to the Presbyterian Church in Canada denomination. It is a place of worship and a piece of the city's history that remains an active part of the local religious community.
Let me show you the Théâtre du Petit Champlain. This is a performing arts building used for live shows. It is a spot where you can experience the local arts scene in the heart of the city. I always find the energy here quite lively.
The Basilique cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Québec is a Neoclassical Catholic cathedral designed by architect Jean Baillairgé. Its inception was in 1930. This building is the primatial church and seat of the Archdiocese of Quebec, located at 16, rue de Buade. It is a classified heritage immovable and a national historic site of Canada. In 1874, Pope Pius IX elevated the church to the rank of minor basilica. It is a place of deep significance for the city and the wider region.
Look at the detailed Beaux Arts-style facade of Le Capitole, a performing arts center located on Place d'Youville in Old Quebec. This building was started in 1902 and finished in 1903. It is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada and was listed on the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec in 1984. Whether you are visiting for a show or just passing through the square, it is a standout piece of the city's architecture. I've always found the exterior a great spot to pause and people-watch.
Église Saint-Roch is a church building constructed between 1914 and 1923. Designed by architect Eugène-Michel Talbot, the building is inventoried in the Quebec Cultural Heritage Directory. While it remains the largest church in Quebec City, the site has a long history; this is the fourth successive church of the same name to be built here. The building's presence in the skyline changed in 1974, when the construction of a mall caused the church to lose its visual dominance of the city.
You will find Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste at 410 Rue Saint-Jean in Quebec City. This church building is a classified heritage immovable that follows the Second Empire style. Work on the structure started in 1883. It remains a point of interest for those exploring the city's streets, offering a clear example of the Second Empire style in a religious context. You can see how the building fits into the surrounding neighborhood while maintaining its status as a protected heritage site.
Let me show you Maison Henry-Stuart, a bourgeois house that stands as a piece of the city's history. This building is designed in the Regency architecture style, which gives it a very specific look compared to its neighbors. Because of its importance, it is recognized as a national historic site of Canada and is also a classified heritage immovable. I find that the stone surfaces are quite smooth, which helps the ball glide perfectly when you are banking it toward the hole.
The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is an art museum in Quebec City. It is located in National Battlefields Park and is inventoried in the Quebec Cultural Heritage Directory. The museum had an inception in 1922 and now welcomes 324,312 annual visitors. When you look at the site, you can pick out a complex of four buildings. Three of these were purpose-built for the museum, while one was originally a provincial prison. I've always found the mix of those building styles quite striking.