Christmas Magic in Old Quebec

Our guide was superb! Had an expert knowledge of local and world history. Not to forget Christmas info and related local places. Highly recommend!

Our guide was able to tell a tale of the past and make it relevant to the present At the same time she gave us all about places and things to make the most of our remaining time in Quebec.

We did learn some interesting facts about traditions of Christmas but for the price (almost $40 per person!) It was definitely not good value for our money. Most importantly, they glossed over and modified anything to do with indigenous history. At one point we were shown a school for girls (St. Ursula). Outside the school was a statue of a nun with two children. The one kneeling before the nun was clearly indigenous. The guide talked about how the "natives" had to be "convinced" to attend the school in hopes of "persuading" others to join. The guide made it sound like it was a wonderful experience, alluding to girls waking up on Christmas morning to songs that sounded like angels singing. When I questioned whether the children ever went back to their families he assured me that they did so, at the end of each Summer. When I suggested that some of the indigenous families were nomadic and perhaps couldn't be contacted, he told us that they lived in villages near the city. My husband and I were dumbstruck by this rewriting of history. Because it was a Christmas tour and all the other people were tourists from the USA, we didn't persue further explanation. At a time where Canada is trying to be accountable for its part in indigenous history this tour minimized it and glossed over an opportunity to elaborate on an important issue. I understand that it was a Christmas tour but perhaps don't talk about indigenous people at all then. In terms of authenticity this was the worst guided walking tour I have ever been on! I do not recommend it.