QUEBEC CITY TO CELEBRATE ITS FOUR CENTURIES

Quebec City will be getting something of a makeover as the city edges closer to marking its 400th anniversary.

Pierre Labrie, general manager of Quebec City Tourism, told a recent Toronto gathering that the architecture in its old quarter can't be found anywhere else in North America, and its ambiance is winning the city accolades, with Conde Nast regularly placing it among the world's top 10 destinations, and National Geographic this year saying Quebec City belongs in the same select category as such destinations as Sienna and Versailles when it comes to preserving its heritage.

"However, this does not mean that Quebec City is a museum city, focused only on its heritage and history," he said. "On the contrary, it is a modern, people-friendly city, turned towards the future." Indeed, more than $350 million is now being invested on new public places and existing infrastructure as Quebec City approaches its 400th anniversary in 2008, a year that will see ongoing celebrations.

Among 2008 highlights will be the Louvre Museum in Paris lending Quebec City several hundred artworks for a special exhibition, and the development of the Promenade Samuel-de-Champlain, which is being described as a "long linear park that will be built along the St. Lawrence River." The Eucharistic Convention is expected to attract thousands of people from around the world, with Pope Benedict expected to celebrate a mass on the Plains of Abraham.

As well, the city will see a number of international organizations hold conventions in Quebec's capital.

"These are only a few of the events and embellishments that will take place in Quebec City in 2008," Labrie said. "A full year of surprises and discoveries awaits you." Quebec City normally sees more than 4.5 million visitors a year and visitations are expected to increase in 2008 "Quebec City is already vibrating to the rhythm of this exceptional anniversary that will be a gathering of visitors and locals, a celebration of history, our present and out future," Labrie added. "For us, this anniversary is like the 2010 Winter Olympics are to Vancouver. We are getting ready and will be more beautiful than ever." Meanwhile, the Quebec City-area Ice Hotel will be open from January to April, and hotel management notes it can hosts weddings, cocktail parties and private receptions. More information on the hotel is found at www.icehotel-canada.com.

Author

- First name: Canadian

- Last name: Travel Press

- Company: Baxter Travel Group

-Email: ctp@baxter.net