Over 400 years old, Quebec City is the birthplace of French culture in the Americas, the only walled city north of Mexico, and a UNESCO world heritage site. Old Quebec, the oldest section of the City, will offer a very European historical vibe, incredible restaurants, charming coble alley ways, and great memories. While there are so many great things to do and visit in Old Quebec, here’s a list of 10 places you must consider visiting and doing during your next stay in Old Quebec:
1. Start your day off with a ferry ride across the St-Laurence
One of the best and cheapest ways to get amazing views of Old Quebec is to take a ferry from the old port across the St-Laurence to Lévis (Quebec). While the price may vary, for under 8$ for an adult for a return journey, you can take in the beauty of Quebec City from a distance. With the sunrise, the light will be directly on the city, so you should be able to get some great pictures. For more information, check out the Quebec-Lévis Ferry website.
Location: 10 Des Traversiers St., Quebec City, QC, G1K 8L8
2. Place Royale
After spending some time on the water and walking along the old port, now it’s time to explore one of the most breathtaking sights of the city, that is Place Royale. Here, you will first notice the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church which erected in 1688, making it the oldest stone church in North America and the oldest church in Canada. In the middle of the square, you will notice a bust of Louis XIV who was king of France at the time. Surrounding the square is great little boutiques and restaurants. For more information on the history of Place Royale, visit the website of Quebec Cité.
Location: 2-4 Rue des Pains Bénits, Ville de Québec, QC G1K
3. Mural of Quebecers
Behind the Place Royale Square, you will spot an incredible mural. Painted in 1999, it presents several important figures of Quebec’s history as well a portrayal of Old Quebec life throughout the centuries. With over 4 500 sq. ft. of paint and over 3 stories tall, you will probably be looking at this mural for a while.
Location: 29 Rue Notre-Dame, Québec, QC, G1K 4E9
4. Walk along the famous rue du Petit Champlain
Named after the founder of Quebec City, Samuel de Champlain, this is one of the most charming pedestrian coble streets in Canada. Dating back to the 17th century, this street offers great restaurants and shops. During the holidays, the street is all decorated with lights and ornaments. You can also walk up the Breackneck Stairs which will lead you to the Upper Town where you will find your next stop. You can also use the Féniculaire of Old Quebec (1879) which will bring up to the Upper Town for a small fee.
Location: Rue du Petit Champlain, Québec, Qc
5. Château Frontenac and the Dufferin Terrace
A visit to Quebec is not complete without checking out the most iconic building in the entire province of Quebec, that is the Château Frontenac. This luxurious and historical hotel was opened in 1893 as part of a chain of grand railway hotels built by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Located in the Upper Town, you can enjoy remarkable views of the St-Laurence while walking along the Dufferin Terrace.
Location: 1 Rue des Carrières, Québec, QC, G1R
6. Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame of Quebec
After visiting the Château Frontenac, take the rue du Trésor and make your way to the Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame of Quebec. On the rue du Trésor, you will discover art vendors and really charming atmosphere. Built in 1647, the basilique’s interior hosts multiple pieces of art and beautiful golden colours.
Location: 16, rue De Buade, Québec, QC, G1R 4A1
7. Visit Quebec City’s fortified wall and gates
From the Basilique, walk up Côte de la Frabrique and Rue Saint-Jean to make your way to the St-John Gate of the fortified wall. From there, you can take the stairs and walk on top of the fortifications towards the Citadel of Quebec. The current ramparts began to take shape in the middle of the 18th century once the British took control of the city in 1759. Access to the wall is free. From the top, you can sport many important sites, notably the Parliament of Quebec.
Location: Rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC, G1R 5C2
8. The Parliament of Quebec
From the wall, you will spot the Parliament Building of Quebec which houses Quebec’s General Assembly. With its second empire architecture, this impressive building was constructed between 1877 and 1886. On the façade, you will notice the presence of 22 statues of major political and cultural figures of the province of Quebec’s history. While the visitors’ centre is closed during the pandemic, free guided tours of the parliament are usually offered.
Location: 1045 Rue des Parlementaires, Québec, QC, G1A 1A3
9. The Citadel of Quebec
At the end of the fortified wall, you will arrive at the military Citadel of Quebec. Built between 1820 and 1850, the Citadel is currently an active military base which houses the Royal 22nd Canadian Regiment. In normal times, you can visit the Citadel’s Museum which offers tours of the star shape fortress.
Location: 1 Côte de la Citadelle, Québec, QC, G1R 3R2
10. Plains of Abraham
The last stop of your tour will take you just outside the Old City walls onto the Plains of Abraham. This park is the location of the very important battle between the French and English for control of North America in September 1759. After only 15 minutes of battle, the British took the victory and Nouvelle-France (now Quebec) became a British-controlled territory. Today, many festivals are organized here, notably the Festival d’été de Québéc and the Winter Carnival. Bring a picnic and enjoy a nice summer evening in the park.
