Chateau Frontenac, the crowning glory of Quebec City, is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2018.
The elegant hotel has hosted everyone from Queen Elizabeth II along with Prince Philip, and Princess Grace of Monaco, to rock stars Paul McCartney and Celine Dion.
Even Charlie Chaplin took in the view from its perch high above the St. Lawrence River.
“We’re all owners of the Château.”
The hotel was the setting for the top secret meetings in 1943 and 1944 that became known as the Quebec Conference.
Canadian Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King was host to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, as they strategized during the war. Italy’s surrender was organised here.
Designed by American architect Bruce Price, the hotel opened on December 18th, 1893, with 170 rooms.
It was part of the Canadian Pacific Railway‘s effort to build luxury tourism with palace-like hotels across the country.
Expanded and renewed on several occasions the chateau now has more than 600 rooms.
In 2013 and 2014, a $75 million (Cdn) renovation brightened the hotel interior which included a silver-blue paint applied to the restaurants and almost all the rooms.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Chateau Frontenac has 12 kilometres of hallways, with elaborate stonework, shiny brass elements and twinkling chandeliers.
Robert Mercure, the hotel’s executive director, said most of the events that will be taking place in 2018 will be free to the public.
“We’re all owners of the Château. We want it to be accessible and for all Quebecers to feel welcome here,” Mercure told CBC News.
With files from Angelica Montgomery and Radio-Canada
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