2008 marks the 400th centenary of the French Canadian city of Quebec. A heady melting pot of culture, architecture and history, next year will see the famous city celebrate its anniversary with a series of special events and festivals throughout the year follow this link for details and calendar.

Spread out between the upper and lower towns, Quebec is a city that reaches far beyond its centre housed by the city walls. Take in the Musée des Beaux-Arts du Québec, the city’s most important art museum, which focuses on the works of local painters and sculptors such as the famous abstract expressionist Jean-Paul Riopelle. Next door to the museum is the Parc des Champs-de-Bataille - a former prison which is now open to tourists to trek through its corridors and cells with added sound effects to make the visit that all-the-more realistic. The grounds of the prison are less intimidating these days of course, with the surrounding parkland a scene of picnic grounds, open air theatres and street performers.

Take a drive to the Avenue Cartier - a street ideal for shoppers and diners. Here, shops are housed by an indoor mall and market selling local foodstuffs, such as fish, meat and cheeses.

To experience Quebec’s nighttime vibrancy - head to the Grande Allée, where rows and rows of bars, cafes and clubs sit side by side. One of the most noted of these establishments is Maurice - where non-stop dining and live entertainment is the order of the day, to be enjoyed on its fantastic terrace bar.

Finally, no trip could be complete without taking a drive to the Observatoire de la Capitale, where at the 31st floor, break out the camera and gaze at the rewarding panoramic views of this fantastic, culturally rich city.

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