This classic Canadian Pacific travel poster presents Québec City from an elevated, almost bird’s eye perspective, with the Château Frontenac rising prominently above the St Lawrence River. The illustration captures the dramatic geography of the city, where steep cliffs separate the Upper Town from the working waterfront below.
Rendered in rich, saturated colours, the Château dominates the skyline as both a landmark and a symbol of Canadian Pacific’s luxury hotel network. Below, the tightly packed streets and buildings of Lower Town follow the curve of the shoreline, while ships and open water emphasize Québec’s long relationship with river travel and international trade.
Produced during the height of Canadian Pacific’s tourism campaigns, the poster promotes Québec as a destination of history, grandeur, and Old World character. The elevated viewpoint reinforces the sense of permanence and prestige associated with the Château Frontenac, positioning it as the natural focal point of the city.
Elegant and aspirational, this image reflects how Canadian Pacific marketed its hotels not just as places to stay, but as gateways to iconic landscapes and cultural experiences.
