Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that this first full week of 2020 is off to a wonderful start! This week I am excited to share with y'all one of our first stops that we took on our Holland America Cruise, Quebec City!
It was our first time being in Quebec City and I look forward to sharing more about this charming city that reminded me so much of Europe this week! Today I wanted to share with y'all about a walk around the historic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac!
The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which was opened in 1893, holds 18 floors and stands impressive, situated on top of a hill in Quebec City's old city. Created as one of the first "grand railway hotels" (built originally by the Canadian Pacific Railway), the hotel continued to expand and was later designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.
The hotel has a central fortress like tower design that was inspired and taken from the medieval chateaus that can be found in France's Loire Valley region.
The hotel holds incredible historical significance from a variety of events that have taken place on the property (which can be viewed throughout the free museum on the bottom floor of the hotel). In 1953 the hotel was used as a filming location for a final scene in an Alfred Hitchcock film and the hotel has had numerous visits from presidents and royal family members alike.
But, the one piece of history that I was delighted to see and explore in this beautiful place was viewing the area where the World War II Allies' met to hold the First and Second Quebec Conferences. Respectively code-named "Quadrant" and "Octagon" these conferences (in 1943 and 1944) would help to layout plans for winning World War II and discuss other important details regarding strategies for the war.
Important agreements between the American and British leaders happened here and FDR attended both meetings which can be seen in pictures around the hotel.
It was at "Octagon" (the second Quebec Conference) that agreements were not only made on how to handle the occupied zones in defeated Germany, but also where plans were made to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.
It was a fascinating thing to walk around this beautiful property where so much incredible history was decided on and I would truly recommend spending the time if you are ever in Quebec City! Also- the property looks amazing and if you ever have a chance I am sure that a stay here would be wonderful too!
Also- a fun and random side note: the Starbucks on the property was the best Starbucks that I have ever had and I can't recommend it enough!
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read today! I can't wait to share more with y'all regarding our Holland American Cruise adventures and about the beautiful Quebec City this week!
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
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