One of the most photographed hotels in the world, the Chateau Frontenac looms at an elevation of 54m (177ft) above Quebec City with commanding views of the Saint Lawrence River. The hotel is situated on the site that was originally the Chateau Haldimand, the official residence of the British Colonial Governors of Lower Canada and Quebec. In 1784, Frederick Haldimand ordered the construction of a castle. The then Governor of Quebec, Haldimand established the castle as the seat of Colonial Government from 1786 to 1791. By 1860, the Chateau Haldimand had become the headquarters for the Legislative Assembly of Canada. It served this purpose until 1866. Part of the castle was then used by the University of Laval until 1892, when it was demolished to make room for the construction of the Chateau Frontenac.
William Van Horne, the General Manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway, commissioned American architect Bruce Price to design and construct a series of train stations and hotels along the railway line for customers to enjoy. Price, an architect and innovator, designed the Chateau Frontenac in the Chateauesque style. It was a revival style based on French Renaissance Architecture. The Chateau Frontenac opened in 1893.
The Chateau was named after Louis de Baude, Count of Frontenac. Louis de Baude was a French soldier and courtier before becoming the Governor General of New France. He served in this role from 1672 to 1682, and then again from 1689 to 1698. During his governorship of the colony of New France, Buade established a number of forts and fought battles against the English and the Iriquois. He died on November 28th 1698 after a brief illness.
The Chateau Frontenac was built near the Citadelle, the construction of which was begun by Frontenac at the end of the 17th century. The Citadelle remains an active military instalment and the official residence of the Canadian Monarchy and the Governor General of Canada.
On the outside wall of the entry to the now 600-room hotel is the Frontenac Coat of Arms. Within the vaulted lobby there is a 300-year-old feature stone bearing the Cross of Malta. The rich polychromatic surfaces and the picturesque eclecticism of the build were a direct reflection of the taste in Victorian architecture at the time. The five brick-and-stone wings and central tower of Chateau Frontenac were built over seven stages between 1892 and 1993. Up until 1993, many expansion projects were carried out on the original Chateau. The Citadelle construction occurred in 1899, the Mont Carmel construction in 1908 and, in 1920 and 1924, Saint Louis and Tour Centrale work was conducted. In 1926, a central tower was added to the Chateau, designed and constructed by architects Edward and William Maxwell. In June of 1993, the inauguration of the Claude-Pratte Wing took place.
There are two distinct apparitions that have been sighted at the Chateau Frontenac. The first is said to be the ghost of Louis de Buade. Although de Buade died at a chateau close by, he is said to have been seen sitting, in period clothes, on window sills. He has also been sighted wandering the halls of the Chateau as well as the ballroom. Several guests have reportedly woken up to find the ghostly apparition of de Baude apparently watching them sleep. There are many conflicting stories about the de Buade ghost, some even saying he paces the halls of the Chateau Frontenac waiting for the arrival of his fiancé. This story conflicts with actual history, as Frontenac had a wife who remained in France while he went to the colonies. The female apparition said to haunt Chateau Frontenac has long hair and reportedly watches people sleep, and sometimes climbs into bed with hotel guests.
The hotel is a beautiful landmark in the even more beautiful Quebec City, which I love.
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