Quebec City
Currency
CAD
Language
French
Timezone
Toronto
Continent
North America
Discover Quebec City
Quebec City is the only walled city in North America north of Mexico, and the ramparts still stand. The star-shaped Citadel of Quebec commands the river and still houses a garrison. The Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis national historic site preserves, beneath the terrace, the foundations of the French and then British governors' residences. The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Quebec is the oldest Catholic parish north of Mexico. The Musée de la Civilisation and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec complete the visit, and the Hôtel du Parlement closes the upper town.
When to go
June to September for the mildness and the terraces. September and October add autumn colour, spectacular along the river. Winter is long and hard — often below −15 °C — but it is also the season of the Carnival and the ice hotel, and the city shows best under snow. April is the thaw and can be skipped.
Getting around
Old Quebec is walked entirely, but it is built on a cliff: the lower and upper towns are separated by a hundred steps, or a funicular. Buses cover the rest. A car is only useful for leaving the city, towards the Île d'Orléans or Montmorency Falls.
Where to eat
Poutine is Québécois before it is Canadian and is judged on whether the cheese squeaks. Tourtière, a meat pie, is the festive dish. Maple syrup turns up as taffy poured on snow in spring. Classical French cooking is well represented, a direct inheritance. No halal address is listed.
Good to know
French is the city's language and English is less automatic than in Montreal — a few words of French are appreciated and sometimes needed. The Canadian dollar is the currency, taxes are added to the displayed price and a tip of 15 to 18 % is expected. Winter asks for real equipment: boots, layers and something over the face. The lower town's streets are cobbled and steep, and slippery in January.
Where to Stay in Quebec City
Top Activities in Quebec City
landmarkThe Citadel of Quebec
museumMusee national des beaux-arts du Quebec
landmarkHôtel du Parlement
landmarkQuébec
museumMusée de la Civilisation de Québec
landmarkCathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Quebec City
landmarkGrand Théâtre de Québec
museumLieu historique national des Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis
landmarkLe Capitole
landmarkObservatoire de la Capitale
landmarkBois-de-Coulonge Park
landmarkPlains of Abraham
landmarkHoly Trinity Cathedral
landmarkÉglise Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
museumCartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site
landmarkLouis-Hébert
landmarkPalais Montcalm
museumMaison historique Chevalier
Arturo Prat
landmarkLe Diamant
landmarkMorrin Centre
landmarkBibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy
landmarkChapelle des Jésuites
parkParc linéaire de la rivière Saint-Charles
Free