Simply by donning an 18th-century costume at Quebec City's New France Festival, visitors become celebrities. While children look at them with wide eyes, vacationers snap their photos. They even get to march in the parades.

This annual five-day event in August celebrates Quebec City's heritage as a French colony. The city has faithfully preserved its historic architecture, from cobblestone plazas to its thick protective walls. With costumed royalty, bourgeoisie and peasants strolling the streets, it's easy to feel transported to the colonial area.

Throughout the old city, actors perform vignettes about New France that portray the year's theme, the most recent being economic life, trade and industry. A young peddler, for example, attracts a curious crowd as he demonstrates a fire starter. His patter is as smooth as today's vendor of vegetable slicers.

Around a bend, dozens of colonial shopkeepers march, chanting and waving placards. Their protest? Traveling merchants are ruining their business by selling products at cut-rate prices.

At another location, artisans demonstrate traditional craftsmanship as they weave wool, make delicate lace and fashion felt hats.

While exploring major venues, festival goers soon become acquainted with Old Quebec's upper and lower sections Highlights include Dufferin Terrace and its view of the Saint Lawrence River, fabled Chateau Frontenac, Painters' Alley, the gilded sanctuary of the Notre Dame Cathedral-Basilica of Quebec and the city's historic center, Place Royale.

At every turn, something entertaining is happening, from toe-tapping fiddle playing to comedy acts. Pedestrians howl with delight as two geezers, one mounted on a "horse" and the other on a "bull," spar with each other. The men's voices and body language are so amusing that even those who don't understand French burst into laughter.

A favorite venue is the public market. Farmers sell a variety of local foods at a great value (items cost $1.25 Canadian or less). A delicious build-your-own lunch may include grilled goat cheese, roasted new potatoes, lamb brochette and crepes drizzled with maple syrup. Canvas-topped taverns offer libations to accompany the savory items.

The market whets the appetite to dine later at one of Old Quebec's sidewalk cafes. To enhance visitors' culinary experience, Les Artistes de la Table offers classes in cooking French Canadian meat pie and other traditional foods.

Throughout the evening, the festival features musical performances, from baroque ensembles to neo-traditional Acadian bands. Best of all, there are the parades, starring costumed festival goers who have become lords and ladies for the day.

For residents in the Americas who want a European-style destination without flying across the Atlantic Ocean, Old Quebec City is a great choice. This historic town is located in the Canadian province of Quebec and possesses a French ambience that is rare in North America.

In Old Quebec City visitors stroll the cobblestone streets while watching artisans busy at work making crafts and painting pictures. While admiring the 17th-century architecture, one is reminded of the days when Samuel de Champlain founded the French Colony now named Old Quebec City. Fortification walls were built around the city to protect it, and these walls still stand as a remembrance of New France - Champlain's name for the city.

This fortress of a town is divided into two parts - Upper Town and Lower Town. Both sections offer a variety of recreational activities easily accessible by foot. The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac stands tall in the Upper Town. Its castle-like structure was built in the late 19th century, and its towering luminance at night adds to the city's allure. This famous hotel has attracted many visitors, such as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and has also been the filming site for many movies including Alfred Hitchcock's I Confess.

The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac overlooks a dramatic view of the St. Lawrence River, also known as The Great Canadian River. Visitors can explore the river on a variety of cruises, which may include dinners and trips to historical sites. On Dufferin Terrace alongside the hotel, jugglers, musicians and other street performers entertain onlookers. People-watching and vendor booths add to the festive atmosphere.

Nearby, the Musée de Fort presents an exciting show using a diorama with special effects to reenact Old Quebec City's combative past and its struggle to free Canada from British rule. This program draws viewers of all ages and provides a valuable insight into Quebec culture and heritage.

The district of Lower Town is only a funicular ride away. And in true European fashion and to a stroller's delight, the cobblestone streets of Lower Town are narrow and lined with sidewalk cafes and small shops. The Quartier Petit-Champlain tops all shopping areas in the vicinity with its abundance of stylish boutiques and French restaurants. Another vital section of Lower Town is the Place-Royale, the locale of the trading post Samuel de Champlain constructed for New France. This well-preserved historical area hosts a series of events during the year, including the New France Festival and Quebec Winter Carnival.

With its colonial architecture, distinctive culture and diverse attractions and events, Old Quebec City delights visitors every season.

IF YOU EXPLORE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OF OLD QUEBEC:

Location: Quebec City is located in the Canadian province of Quebec in northeastern Canada. Major domestic and international air carriers serve the Quebec City airport.

Maps:

• Old Quebec City
• Quebec City
• Quebec
• Canada

Lodging: Numerous hotels and bed and breakfasts offer accommodations within or in close proximity to Old Quebec City. Rates range from Canadian $70 to $550.

Dining: Restaurants with terraces abound along Grand Allee, inside the old city walls and in the lower city. Menus are posted at entrances.

Attractions:

• The Citadel, Cote de la Citadelle Street, 694-2815:
  Originally a fortification built by the British between 1820-1831 for protection against American invasion. Tours are 60 minutes and guide you through the fortress and its buildings, the Royal 22nd Regiment Museum, and an old prison designated for military use. Groups are requested to make a reservation in advance. Hours vary throughout the year. The Changing of the Guard ceremony starts at 10 a.m. daily from June 24th until the first Monday in September. The ceremony of the Retreat occurs at 7 p.m. on Friday nights from July 6th until the first Sunday in September.
• Notre Dame de Québec Cathedral, Rue de Buade, 694-0665:
  A world famous landmark home to the oldest parish in North America. Inside the cathedral beautiful stained glass windows and the golden altar glimmer with splendor. This church was the first in the New World to be raised to a minor Basilica. Open daily.
• Musée de la Civilisation, Rue Dalhousie, 866 710-8031:
  A highly interactive museum offering an assortment of exhibitions. Guests dress up as medieval people at the costume workshop or receive a history lesson at the permanent exhibit ¨The People of Quebec..then and Now.¨ The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, and daily during the summer.

Festivals:

• Quebec City Summer Festival is a rhythmic blowout. The itinerary is jam-packed with concerts of many musical styles. Attendees can enjoy indoor and outdoor shows. The 2007 event dates are July 6 through 16.
• Quebec Winter Carnival takes place every year and is regarded as the largest winter carnival in the world. Guests will frolic about and enjoy ice fishing, snow rafting, ice sculptures, concerts, night parades, and a variety of marketplace festivities. The next spectacular celebration happens January 26 to February 11, 2007 with the theme "Make Way for Challenges!"
• New France Festival relives the days when the French Regime ruled Old Quebec City. Everyone dresses up in 17th and 18th century attire and sings, begs, protests or acts according to the role they're playing for the day. The 2007 festivities run August 2 through August 7.

Currency: Canadian dollar. Calculate your current exchange rate.

For more information: For brochures, travel guides and additional information, contact Tourisme Quebec, 1-877-BONJOUR (1-877-266-5687).