The Grand Allée is the Place to Be

A Long Walk

Although most of the rest of the country had the day off for La Fête Nationale, it was work as usual at Finite Wisdom's Canadian Headquarters, although in the spirit of the holiday, I did knock off an hour early. We had a light dinner on the back terrace and then went for a long walk. We explored the Jardin Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc Garden) and Avenue Cartier before heading back in the general direction of our flat.

Just three blocks from our flat, in a direction that we apparently hadn't explored yet, we stumbled upon the Grand Allée. As we quickly determined and Alison put to words, "The Grand Allée is the place to be." The outdoor restaurants are packed, the fancy cars are waiting to be valet parked, and the "beautiful people" are everywhere. Our plan is this: we will start on the end of the street closest to our flat and dine at each restaurant, in turn, working our way up the block. Since we'll walk over there and have no need for the valet, they'll never know that we drive a far-less-than-fancy Subaru.  I'll even leave my Crocs at home and put on my big-boy shoes.

Tidbit

"Je me souviens" has been the official motto of Quebec since 1883. Literally, it means "I remember". Elaborating, it has been said:

"...these three words, in their simple economy of expression, are worth more than the most eloquent speeches. Yes, we remember. We remember the past and its lessons, the past and its misfortunes, the past and its glories."

and:

"...which says so eloquently in three words, the past as well as the present and the future of the only French province of the confederation."

​The longer form of the motto is:

     "I remember/
      That born under the lily/
​      I grow under the rose."

The lily and the rose refer to the floral emblems, respectively, of the kingdoms of France and England.