Vacationing In Quebec (1950s)

more inter it is both old and new and in its wealth of historic scenes and architecture and yet it is as modern as the 20th century itself this new Quebec is expressed not only in City shops and skyscrapers but by the countless modern Resort hotels which offer both summer and winter accommodation in the playground areas While most vacationists naturally prefer to enjoy the summer pleasures of this great holiday land many of the smooth Resort highways are kept open all winter by the provincial Department of Highways for the benefit of those who enjoy the winter sports [Music] similarly most of the same hotel which off excellent summer accommodation remain open for 12 months of the year they are friendly and comfortable and they provide easy access to good ski slopes most of which are equipped with ski toes [Music] the region in the Laurentian mountains north of Montreal is perhaps the most highly concentrated skiing area in North America the rolling Countryside is typically Scandinavian in character it offers magnificent CrossCountry touring and its downhill trails and slalom courses provide real Thrills for the skier even European experts admit there is no snow like Quebec snow climatic conditions are such that the snow remains dry and crisp throughout almost the entire winter [Music] season there are steep descents and jumps for the experienced skier there are gentle slopes for the novice who learns under the guidance of qualified instructors and if you enjoy Variety in your holiday entertainment there are slaying trips along Mountain Trails or you can mush behind a team of huskies and after a morning of activity in the Great Outdoors you can also relax to enjoy your Noonday meal on the sunny Terrace of your own hotel and these are only a few examples of the pleasures offered by Quebec's Winter [Music] Wonderland but when the snow melts in the valleys and the Brooks Run free then we discover another Quebec the lovely and different Quebec of spring an anger's Paradise where scores of fishing clubs attract members from all parts of the continent [Music] every year Quebec extends a hearty welcome to thousands of American visitors at any one of the many border crossing points Canadian customs officials do their Duty quickly and courteously several of the principal ports of Entry lead directly into that large area of the province which lies south of the St Lawrence and which is known as the Eastern townships here smooth scenic highways lead Through The Verdant green Countryside to sherbrook Queen City of the Eastern [Music] townships sherbrook is a beautiful and prosperous City it is the home of more than 50 Diversified Industries tourists are impressed by its fine churches its modern up-to-date hospitals by the excellent playgrounds provided for the children and by its attractive well kept homes which are among the finest in the province and if you have an eye for Scenic Beauty you could hardly fail to enjoy the lovely rural vistas of Quebec naturally every tourist will be tempted to stop for a while in Montreal Canada's largest city and second only to Paris as the largest french-speaking city in the world [Music] in the heart of Montreal lies Dominion square a focal point for both visitors and residents the square itself is surrounded by luxurious hotels and Office Buildings while only a block away is St Catherine Street one of the longest and busiest shopping streets in the world along stately sherbrook Street you will see fine apartment buildings modern hotels and exclusive stores all catering to the most discriminating tastes sherbrook street is often referred to as The Fifth Avenue of [Music] Canada just a step from the whirling traffic of sherbrook Street you enter an atmosphere of quiet Beauty and calm dignity which provides the setting for Mill University founded more than a century and a half ago by a Scottish fur Trader Old Mill has given Canada some of her greatest figures in public and professional life in a province famous for its wealth of shrines and Cathedrals Montreal naturally has its share one of the most impressive is St Joseph's oratory on the lower slopes of Mount Royal erected through the tireless efforts of the famous brother Andre two others which should not be missed in any tour of the city are the ancient notredam Church in the very heart of the lower City and the equally famous St James Cathedral cornering on Dominion Square which is modeled after St Peters in [Music] Rome Montreal is internationally known for its many fine restaurants where you will find food that would Delight even the most exacting epicures at prices which are easily within the reach of every tourist [Music] but wherever you go you'll discover historic relics and landmark one such place of interest is the chatau dur Ramsey originally the governor's residence and now a museum and then you're back into the world of today as you look upon the ultramodern University city of Montreal the largest Center of French culture on the continent back in the Heart of the City here is bosur Market trucks and carts are piled high with Rich produce from the fertile soil of the Quebec Countryside Hardy Farmers mingle here with their friendch and english- speaking customers of the city [Music] leaving Montreal we travel North to the extensive summer playgrounds of the Laurentian mountains throughout this holiday land you'll find facilities for almost any type of recreation you may desire if you favor aquatic Sports the refreshing crystal clear waters of innumerable Lakes are ideal for swimming sailing or boating of any kind [Music] the Exotic beauty of the Laurentian Countryside becomes more thrilling than ever when you see it from the cabin of a sightseeing plane Air Taxi service is also available to whisk you quickly to and from nearby but secluded fishing spots where you can match your skill against the Wy speckled trout the fighting black bass or the sporty northern [Music] pike rustic bridal paths winding along the Mountainside and through Shady Woodland Trails offer the rider an outing of sheer enjoyment that he will long remember golfers too will find the thrill in the fast greens and tricky Fairways of the excellently kept golf courses for which the laurentians are [Music] noted equally fast tennis courts provide an enjoyable spectator sport for those who prefer to just Loa in the warm comfort of a summer sun [Music] but now let's return to our Vagabond tour driving Eastward from Montreal through this land rich in agriculture we become aware of a Serene tempo of living characteristic of the Quebec farmer which provides an interesting contrast to his modern and Progressive methods of enriching and conserving the soil [Music] in The Villages of Quebec you will find a pattern of Life which has preserved the people's language their religion and their customs [Music] the church is the heart and center of community activities the parish priest the spiritual leader and the family the social [Music] unit the villagers in many parts of Quebec have also taken pride in preserving their traditional skill in the handicrafts of their forefathers the Artistry of their rugs the quality of their home spun and the unique character and beauty of their wood carvings are the pride and joy of collectors [Music] everywhere situated in the heart of an historic area of the province is the city of tro Rivier which is the correct name for what many call Three Rivers it was so named for the Triple Outlet of the samaris river as it flows into the St Lawrence founded more than three centuries ago by the French explorer laviolet it was once a famous fur trading post for the huran and Algonquin Indians today it is famed as the home of some of the largest paper mills in the world a harbor for oceangoing merchant vessels and an all round prosperous industrial [Music] city in the environment of this busy industry we find one of the most noted religious shrines on the continent the shrine of Our Lady of the cape only a few minutes drive from the city and focal point of a great annual pilgrimage of The Devout leaving TR Rivier we travel Eastward through rolling Countryside which leads to the venerable city of Quebec capital of the province and truly the Cradle of Canadian history here one of the world's most picturesque hotels the chatow Fronton covers the site of the ancient castle of the 17th century chatau s Louis which was the residence of early governors of Lower Canada the quaint cobblestone streets and the graceful Norman architecture of the buildings combined to give an old world charm and dignity that's characteristic of the city of Quebec as you come to the historic s Louie gate you pause to reflect that it was here that General monom in a gallant display of personal leadership rallied his men in defense of the city receiving his two mortal wounds you feel as if the pages of a 300-year old history were being turned before your very eyes a proud romantic history of the only wall city in America a city which staunchly resisted any attack through five devastating sieges it is upon this solid foundation that the city of Quebec is [Music] built spencerwood the home of the leftenant governor of the province occupies a setting of park-like beauty while in these dignified buildings the vinal government meets here we have the Basilica and the Cardinal's Palace while nearby stands the Protestant Cathedral the two invisibly United in a common purpose Laval University is a living testimonial to the French culture which was brought to this country handin hand with the prayer book and the sword it was founded in the 17th century by France deasi Laval First bishop of Quebec originally a seminary today it ranks with the great universities of the world for its academic and scientific standings as this beautiful National Park comes into view Canada's history again unfolds a story of brave men and great Deeds for this is the famous Plains of Abraham taking its name from the original owner a river pilot called Abraham Martin it was here that wolf and monom commanding generals of the opposing armies both lost their lives in the epic battle of the Plains of Abraham The Citadel ancient heart of the Mighty Fortress of Quebec still stands proud and high on the rocky prometer of Cape Diamond below the Towering walls of the chatow Frac is duffen Terrace which figured prominently in Canada's early history today it provides an extensive prominade commanding an inspiring view of the Majestic St Lawrence a few minutes drive from the city along the North Shore are the MOSI Falls with cascading Waters 100 ft higher than the mighty Niagra nearby in mid St Lawrence we come to the Le D Leon in 1535 the Explorer Jack K named this the island of bakas on account of the numerous grape Vines growing there though traces of early times are now Vanishing before the tide of 20th century progress the Deep philosophy and Faith of the folk on Le Doon remains written in their daily lives for more than 300 years this faith has been deep rooted in the Quebec soil they love so much many of them even today live on the very same piece of land cleared by ancestors who came to Canada with shamp plain founder of [Music] Quebec just visible in the background across the river is San de bpre one of the world's most famous shrines while still incomplete it contains the murals and handicrafts of many of the 17th century [Music] ecclesiast no trip would be complete without a glimpse of lorenti Park a short distance north of Quebec City it can bear [Music] for those who like their vacation on the social side there is Murray Bay and the exclusive ma risho operated by one of Canada's best known steamship lines at the Mawa you may enjoy luxurious comfort and all the pleasant diversions associated with the soour in this lovely summer Resort if you like your swimming just so there is an outdoor swim swimming pool heated to the correct temperature this pool contains natural salt water drawn from the St Lawrence whose ocean tides extend Upstream even beyond the city of Quebec and here again the golfer can enjoy his favorite pastime in an atmosphere of unrivaled Beauty on a golf course which enthusiasts claim to be one of the finest on the continent this District also invites you for a delightful drive along the Sagan River where you can pause and enjoy a picnic in a setting of magnificent scenery [Music] from nearby s let's ferry our car across to Rivier Deo on the South Shore of the St [Music] Lawrence this attractive section of Quebec's vacation land offers you a variety of interesting activities ranging from a bathe in The Splendid facilities of the Southshore beaches or golf on a number of excellent courses to practically any form of divertisment associated with a pleasant [Music] holiday as we travel Eastward through the rugged beauty of the gaspay peninsula our nostrils are assailed by an appetizing Aroma we can't quite identify until we catch a glimpse of an outdoor Bake Oven here Madame is turning out loaves of rare and succulent flavor [Music] coming to gaspay Bay which is one of the finest deep waterer refuges on the Eastern Seaboard we learned that more than four centuries ago Jac C took possession of the land in the Name of the King of France and we see the stone cross erected to commemorate that event in Canada's history the chief industry of the gas Bay Coast is fishing Herring and mackel are abundant in these Waters but it is the Cod which constitutes the most profitable catch the Fisher folk of gas Bay Bay are descendants of the Hardy Pioneers from Normandy and Britany who came to this land over 300 years ago to carve out a new home [Music] nearby is the beautiful Resort town of Pi whose outstanding Landmark is the famous pierced Rock from which the settlement gets its name the unusual beauty of the gaspay coast in the vicinity of per has long been an inspiration for artists who have been attracted there from all over the world [Music] and so we end our vacation in Quebec carrying Homeward the memory of a Holiday Tour unlike any other we have ever known and of a people rich in Olden culture and traditions but Progressive in Outlook with eyes fixed on the future a sturdy and a friendly Folk [Music]