Had it not been for Lord Frederick Dufferin, who was appointed governor general of Canada in 1873, Québec might have lost its walls. Struck by the city's unique fortifications and influenced by the trend toward historic romanticism then popular in Europe, Lord Dufferin introduced a campaign to preserve the walls and rebuild the destroyed gates.
Wider and more medieval gates, such as Porte St-Louis, were constructed, and Porte Kent was added to create a new opening. Dufferin also enlarged the terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River and Lower Town, which was then named after him. Dufferin's concepts prevailed and were adopted by 20th-century leaders.
Although destroyed in 1897, Porte St-Jean was rebuilt in 1939 in the same medieval style. The Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site and Artillery Park Heritage Site were created to protect the buildings as well as to present and interpret their history.
The best way to explore this area of narrow streets, lined with a mixture of military, religious and residential buildings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, is on foot, wearing a pair of comfortable shoes. The city's administrative, military, religious and cultural history unfolds in this compact area.
The Fortifications Promenade, which begins at 100 rue St-Louis, skirts the top of the ramparts and features interpretive panels describing the walls. The rue du Trésor is lined with artists demonstrating their crafts during an open-air festival in the summer, and restaurants occupy some of the older buildings.
To pass through the city gates is to enter a world unique on the North American continent: It is the 17th-century heart of an essentially European city.
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site
Morrin Cultural Centre & Heritage Site
Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral of Québec
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church