Canada's insider blog

Life is not supposed to be a dress rehearsal.  But if we really need to do it, it should be like the pre-party “rehearsal” last night that Quebec threw to prepare for today’s big occasion.  Bonne Saint-Jean-Baptiste!

Imagine the scene.

The streets of Quebec turned to a sea of blue-and-white Fleur-de-lis flags and hats.  Loud crowds sang and cheered each other on to celebrate. The backdrop was fireworks and large drum circles that formed in pockets in the middle of walkways and underneath monuments.  The braver revelers even hugged strangers as they passed by you on the street.  Shaking hands, kissing on the cheeks and high-fives were in tall order.

The centre of the party congregated at the Plains of Abraham, where more than a dozen bands performed at a free outdoor concert for crowds that swelled to 200,000 people at the peak of the night.  What a night!

This morning it’s all quiet and calm.  I went to drink a big bowl of café latte downstairs from our hotel, Hotel des Coutellier.  It’s near the fortified walls of the city and right across a farmers’ market, which by the way is a fabulous way to start the day.  Grab local bread and cheeses and a pint of strawberries and you’re set for the day.  I’m off to go cycling the city and then dinner at Panache.  Until then...