I have a passion for all things French. French silk scarves flung breezily over stylish shoulders. French film noire cinema (with those darkly lit close-ups of twitching lips). And of course, sipping a café allongé on a terrace in the oldest French district in North America: Quartier Petit Champlain.

In winter, especially during the holidays, there’s a magical, snow-globe quality about this historic area of Québec City, QC. For a special treat, I like to ride the funiculaire, a glass-enclosed cable car that runs on a 45-degree angle between Upper and Lower Town, to get an early start on my shopping.

The area feels like an artist enclave. If Van Gogh were alive, what scene would he paint here? Maybe the glow of thousands of lights strung across narrow cobblestone streets lined with unique shops like Boutique Zazou, Peau sur Peau and L’Oiseau du Paradis. Or carollers in period costume singing beneath lantern light. Or warm bistros serving mustard-flavoured rabbit behind their 18th-century stone walls. Romantic? Mais oui! 

Though it may feel like Montmartre, Paris, these shops proudly display works by Quebec artisans. There’s jewellery by Robert Langlois, Gilles Maurel and Julie Sarra-Bournet. And astonishing leather paintings, Aboriginal art and rare porcelain figurines trimmed with gold. And the fashions? Let’s just say you won’t be duplicating outfits with your best friend anytime soon. You can drape yourself in wool capes and gorgeous hand-dyed fabrics, showing off that effortless ready-to-wear flair all French women seem to have. Ooh the envy!

And don’t be surprised if that friendly shopkeeper takes time to iron your new silk scarf before demonstrating a few dazzling ways to show it off. (video)

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