This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
While this beginning of the year is marked by a slowdown, there is no question of letting winter bring us down! It is good to see that certain traditions persist and adapt. This is the case for the Carnaval de Québec which, from February 4 to 13, will offer the public winter entertainment adapted to the current context. Several hotel establishments also offer attractive formulas so that you can treat yourself to a cozy getaway of one or two nights. Here are some suggestions for combining the outdoors, pleasure and cocooning in the Old Capital.
To move
Continuing the tradition, the city of Quebec invites its population and its visitors to a panoply of outdoor activities, with the aim of getting some fresh air and, in many cases, letting go of the crazy. In addition to improvised walks in historic districts, on the ramparts or on the Plains of Abraham, several opportunities will be offered to create beautiful rosy cheeks as part of this 68and Carnival edition.
When we were younger, we loved to hurtle down the “cliff side” with our friends… A memory superbly revived by the sliding slopes of the Parc de la Francophonie. In addition to the two intersecting icy descents, whose 80 meters promise to provide thrills, toddlers have access to a slide created for them.
Right next door, Place George-V is home to a reinvented lumberjack camp: if you’ve never danced a rigadoon to techno music, now’s the time to try! The public can also test their ax throwing skills, attempt the obstacle course, find the clues scattered throughout the maze and, finally, catch their breath while listening to some tales where wood is featured.
Admire
Some people say that Quebec City is never as beautiful as when it sports its vast white cape. If nature itself produces breathtaking panoramas, it also offers great materials for creating beauty.
In the Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale, near the Tourny fountain, stands the unmissable Ice Palace. Thumbing its nose at the coldness, its architects chose this year to build it taking inspiration from the great Californian villas. Made of thousands of blocks of ice and boldly lit, Bonhomme’s residence shimmers like a jewel.
As in an ephemeral open-air art gallery, a hundred ice and snow sculptures adorn the city. They can be found on rue Saint-Joseph, rue Cartier and rue Saint-Jean, on the Grande Allée (where four allegorical floats are also on display to visit), in the gardens of the Hôtel-de-Ville, in front of the Palais Montcalm and in the Petit Champlain . An application, available on the Carnival website, transforms this walk into an interactive course. In the absence of a parade, fabulous animals will form little processions imbued with poetry at dusk on February 4, 5, 11 and 12.
be pampered
After a day outdoors, the desire is strong to take refuge in a warm and luxurious cocoon to be pampered. Several hotel establishments are currently offering great concepts, including the in-room gourmet package at the Le Germain Québec hotel.
Concocted by Groupe La Tanière, the adventure begins with canapés, a starter of scallop tartare and a rich consommé garnished with mushroom tortellini. Charcoal-grilled beef tenderloin, flanked by Cru Berger aligot and miso root vegetables, forms the main course, accompanied by a bottle of wine. Finally, the apple and pear tartlet and its maple cream conclude this very nice meal served in your room.
The next morning, breakfast is also delivered to the room, at the desired time. This package, which includes parking, is available on Fridays and Saturdays until February 26. An experience to offer or to offer yourself to take advantage of the city’s attractions and to reconcile with winter.
Our collaborator was the guest of the hotel Le Germain Québec.