Can’t afford to travel to Europe to try food on the streets of Paris? Pas de problème, chérie. About 100 miles away from the Maine and Vermont borders lies a charming, old city resemblant of those found in the niches of France: Old Quebec City.
Known for small cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and quaint cafés that are literally everywhere, Old Quebec is considered to be a mini-Europe inside of North America.
Here are just a few ways that Quebec City in O Canada offers you a taste of France, sans expensive travel costs.
1. Bomb Ham and Cheese Sandwiches on French Bread
Photo by Gina Occhipinti
Croque Monsieur, translated as Mr. Crunch, is a reinvention of the ham and cheese sandwich. Served on a slice of toasted French bread, full slices of ham and tomatoes are covered in a warm blanket of gooey Swiss cheese.
2. Wines and Lacquers are Added in Sandwiches
Photo by Gina Occhipinti
Not just for your glass anymore. Behaving like grapes, black currants grow rampant in Quebec and are used to make wines and lacquers. On a black currant farm located on an island by the city, you find a restaurant that makes black currant lacquer into honey, jams for sandwiches, vinaigrettes, even sangria.
3. Crêpe Food Trucks
Photo by Gina Occhipinti
CRÊPE FOOD TRUCKS.
4. Simple Foods Like Salads are Chic as Heck
Photo by Gina Occhipinti
It doesn’t matter what you’re eating, the French do food damn well. Just like France where every salad leaf counts, Old Quebec City is no different.
5. Cafés Everywhere
Photo courtesy of Gina Occhipinti
At first it may seem like overkill, but when you’re in need of a coffee and croissant every 50 meters, suddenly it makes perfect sense.