Our next destination was Place Royale the central and principal square of Lower Town. This square's existence goes back 400 years!
Our group listening to our guide Silvia talking about the history of this area.
French king Louis XIV is memorialised here. This is a copy of the original Rodin sculpture, which was placd in a museum for safe keeping.
Close up of Louis XIV, and banners hrealding the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. Careful readers will have noted that the statue in Montmorency Park states that settlers arrived in 1617. But the history books (and numerous sources) state Quebec was founded by de Champlain in 1608. He spelt the name "Kebec", from the Algonquin word meaning "the river narrows here". So, how 2005 is the 400th anniversary is beyond me.
The Eglise Notre Dame des Victories (Our Lady of Victories) church is also on Place Royale. The building dates from 1688, and is the oldest stone church in North America. It is built on the spot where, 80 years earlier, de Champlain had set up his stockade. The church derives its name from several successful battles against the English in the nearby river. The name was not changed after the English defeated the French in 1759.
A view from Lower Town showing the Funicular heading up towards that hotel.
The lower end of the Funicular is in this building. There's a plaque on the front explaining the origins of this building:
Louis Jolliet House
This house was built in 1683 by Architect Baillif for Louis Jolliet,
discoverer of The Mississippi, who occupied it until his death in 1700.
A subterranean passage led to the Cul-de-Sac Cove.
The Funicular started operations in 1879, as explained by signs placed near the base station.
Old Quebec Tour - Lower Old Town II