Quebec City - Old Town, 31 rue de la Porte

Whew, what a day.  Haven't walked that much in years!  The day began with breakfast at the Creperie le Petit Chateau known for Swiss fondue and crepes.  I had normal one egg/toast/hash browns/fruit and coffee $7.95 plus tax 15%.   This hotel does not have morning coffee so we had to get it somewhere and the Creperie was close.  The tour of the Chateau Frontenac began at 10 a.m. $8.50 me, $7.75 Dennis (senior rate) and was mostly about the history of the Chateau as one of the first railroad hotels built to attract travelers.  We were shown a room but none of the special suites because the place is full!  Roosevelt, Churchill and a Canadian premier spent extended time in the hotel during the war planning D-Day.  Lots of celebrities, too, have spent time there.  I really wanted to see where these famous personages slept but it was not to be.  Not to worry, the room we did see had internet connections, a fabulous view of the St. Lawrence River and a very normal bathroom - no gold faucets or anything.
     On to the Notre Dame Cathedral - another big church with a pretty impressive gold painted altar.  Quebec City has churches everywhere, too.  Lots of steeples.  I stopped in a church this afternoon and it turned out to be the public library - complete with stained glass windows and a baptismal font.  The woman who checked us in yesterday turned out to be from the Gaspe peninsula and she told us the reason the churches were closed - and she confirmed that they were ALL closed - was because there were no priests.  Current priests minister to several villages and the churches are only in use for weddings and funerals.  Wow, all those churches and no one to use them.  
     Lunch at the Cafe Boulangerie Paillard - salad with duck, cranberries, carrots, apple in a maple vinaigrette for me,  beef sandwich with bleu cheese and carmelized onions for Dennis plus a glass of wine.  It was delicious and writing about it is making me hungry.  The Boulangerie Paillard has been recognized as having the best croissants in the city.  Bought two to bring "home" for breakfast tomorrow so I'll get back to you...  Have to admit, our fine dining experiences are very limited as neither of us is comfortable spending $60 for an average dinner.  And $60 is low - advertised specials are for $80 - $98 for a dinner for two - usually chateaubriand.  Seems to be a popular menu selection.  The B.P. served excellent food and the tourist information woman who recommended it made a good choice. 
     Wandered around the old town enjoying window shopping and experiencing the European feel of the place.  Weather continues to be rainy and warm and manageable with an umbrella.  Fall color is present and that's tempering the dismal skies.  There is a rainfall warning for tomorrow and I don't know what that means.  We will find out as we drive to Burlington, Vermont.  dw