Quebec School Trip Itinerary Ideas
There are many variations of possible trips you can imagine. Our Quebec School Trip Itinerary ideas will help you enrich your students understanding of Canada’s french province. It will all depend on your trip objectives, time and destinations in the province. Discovering Quebec City and Montreal on a school trip with your student can take on many dimensions.
The history
The language
The attractions
The History
You can focus on the rich history of the city and province. Quebec played a pivotal role in the French-Indian war (also known as the 7 years wars between the French and English). The countries at war saw the colonies at war as well. Quebec was an important strategic entry to the great lakes. If you controlled the great lakes you had a stranglehold merchant ships.
Here at the battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, this confrontation between the french and english was crucial. While the french lost late in the year, it would be determined in 1760 who would win. The reinforcing fleet that arrived could have turned the tide. The english arrived before the french and solidified the conquest of Quebec.
From 1760 to 1776 during this period many events happening here were connected to the events in our revolution in the US. The english knew they needed the support of the french to fight off the americans. In exchange for fighting along side the english, the king granted them their civil code (law system based on the napoleonic code), freedom to practice their religion and use of their language. This was known as the Quebec act of 1774.
The Language
This would help the province maintain it french character, culture and language. But it wasn’t without friction. In 1960, there was a “Quiet Revolution”. The separation of church and state was made more official. This would see the birth of the french candian middle class. However, there would still be some rumblings. As the english dominated industry and most businesses, the french community felt their culture and language was threatened. A sepratist movement came along. In 1980, headed by the Parti Quebecois’ Rene Levesque, they would call a referendum to separate the province from Canada. They lost. And again, in 1995, it was tried again without success. Since then economic prosperity has mostly pushed this question out of the public eye.
Most importantly, the french canadian community is thriving and there are cultural and language protection measures in place. And this is in part why it makes Quebec’s history so fascinating.
Moreover, the cultural impact and legacy of the original french settlers is still felt today.
The Sites and Attractions
The architecture we see in Old Montreal and, likewise, in Old Quebec City, is part of that legacy. The many mores and traditions of the province can be traced back to the 17th century in many cases. When you go to the ‘sugar shack’ (cabane a sucre) this is very much a hold over from decades of practice.
When you see the farming plots as you drive on the highways of Quebec, you will notice they are long and narrow. Because these were land grants from the crown. Tenants would farm these narrow patches of land. It was called a ‘seigneurial system’. (seigneur is lord, the land owner). And they are also still very visible from the road and from the air.
On your next Quebec school trip itinerary should try to include as many of these aspects. From staying within the walled city in Quebec City to walking the streets of Old Montreal and taking the subway as part of the ‘underground city’.
Make sure to chat with our team to help you plan the best experience with our Quebec school trip itinerary ideas for your student group.
