You can see the castle not only in pictures, or climbing inaccessible peaks. One of the most famous castles - Chateau Frontenac is located in Quebec (Canada). Its silhouette, so proudly soaring over a small town, has become one of the most recognizable silhouettes of buildings around the world. Restrained beauty and grandeur are the qualities that are inherent in this amazing castle hotel.
In the very center of Quebec, or rather, on Cape Diamant, is one of the most famous hotels in the world - Chateau Frontenac. It is located very close to the famous Quebec fortress, thanks to which this place is known as the only city in North America that has preserved the ensemble of its defensive structures.
On one side of this military building, the castle offers breathtaking and soothing views of the St. Lawrence River and the city itself, which has so carefully guarded its history. Today the castle is a visiting card of Quebec, the pride of all its inhabitants, and also one of the most desirable hotels in the world.
Castle history
Looking at the brick-red walls of the building, directed upward and at the green roof, all dotted with large and small spiers, it seems as if you are in the Middle Ages. As if the horses' hooves were about to pound as they were taking eminent guests to a magnificent ball, and the castle itself would be painted with an inviting flame of candles. However, the history of Frontenac Castle is not so ancient.
Initially, in its place was a residence for the colonial rulers (in the 1620s). However, it did not last so long, and its appearance was incomparable with the current castle. A little later, at the end of the 18th century, Chateau-Khaldimand was erected in its place, which also did not exist for a long time (it was demolished as soon as the building passed 100 years later).
Even then, in 1894, the Chateau Frontenac was erected on the site of the long-suffering residences, which was destined to become not only popular among visitors, but also a very famous hotel all over the world. [Tp_search_shortcodes id = 4 origin = ”” destination = ”YQB”]
It owes its origin to the Canadian Pacific Railroad. The company hired renowned New York-based architect Bruce Price. He was already familiar with the architecture of Quebec: some time ago he worked on the building of the railway station. The future hotel reflected modern trends in architecture - hence its unusual and such a majestic appearance. It got its name in honor of Louis de Buad (Count of Frontenac), a man who is known to descendants as the founding father of Canada.
According to the plan of the company that was engaged in the construction of the hotel, it was to be part of a series of several Canadian hotels located along the railway track, so that wealthy tourists traveling in this way would stay in it. The idea was a success - immediately after the opening, Frontenac Castle became one of the most visited places in Canada. Today, people from all over the world fly to Quebec to capture this unique hotel in photographs.
This is not surprising, because every detail is made with amazing grace and luxury. Here you can find majestic fireplaces, delicate staircases, snow-white curtains and unique lamps. Most of the interior details are made of marble, which gives the castle decoration a special shine.
In 1925, a central tower, 20 stories high, was added to the castle. It has become not only the highest part of the chateau, but also a favorite place for many famous personalities who at different times were visitors to this hotel. It is thanks to this iconic tower that the silhouette of the Château Frontenac is recognizable among people from all over the world.
[tp_hotel_widget hotel_id = 92021 responsive = true subid = ”shatofrontenak”]
Interesting facts about Château Frontenac
When you first get to Quebec, you can already see the silhouette of this wonderful castle-hotel from afar. Looming against the background of a bright blue or, on the contrary, gray sky, it amazes with its grandeur and it seems as if it is the tallest building in all the surroundings.
However, this is nothing more than a brilliantly implemented idea of an architect who decided to build a castle on top of a small rock, which makes it visually appear much higher and larger than it really is. In the city itself there are also higher buildings, but it was this decision that helped to create the famous silhouette of the chateau, which the residents of the city print with such pleasure on their stamps.
Famous guests of the castle
The castle-hotel owes its popularity not only to its royal decoration, but also to the permanent public, who stops here as needed. During its short history, Château Frontenac has seen many politicians and figures in the field of art.
The most famous among the visitors of this extraordinary place are Queen Elizabeth, Alfred Hitchcock, Ronald Reagan. In 1943-44, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt stayed in the central tower of the castle, who at that time held a number of military conferences.
Feel like a king
If the decoration of their rooms is not enough for the guests of the hotel, then the owners have provided an opportunity to make their visitors feel like royalty. It is not without reason that the hotel's services offer separate excursions for guides dressed in costumes from the 19th century, as well as walks with the most real well-trained guide dogs.
Record holder among hotels
Today, Chateau Frontenac is not only one of the most unusual tourist destinations on the planet, but also has a Guinness Book of Records as the most photographed hotel in the world. Looking at this huge tower overlooking the old city, one really cannot resist the desire to quickly photograph it from all sorts of angles. Therefore, it is not surprising that it amazes not only its guests, but also all tourists who are lucky enough to be at its foot.
Looking at Chateau Frontenac, it is impossible not to notice how fair the love of the city residents to this attraction is. No wonder they call this place the "pearl" of Quebec. Located in the very heart of the old city, it not only reminds its residents and tourists about the ancient history, but also, like a stone giant, follows the tranquility of its native land, casting the shadow of its majestic spiers far around.
Canada is famous for another castle - Hatley, with its beautiful gardens and mesmerizing atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
