No excursion to French speaking Canada is complete without a visit to exuberant, romantic Québec City, a travel destination found in one of the most beautiful natural settings in North America. The well preserved Vieux-Québec (Old Québec) is small and densely packed, and is steeped in four centuries of history and French tradition. 17th and 18th century buildings have been carefully maintained and preserved over the centuries and are bordered by numerous attractive parks which contain historic monuments.

The government of Québec  has completely restored many of the centuries old buildings of Place Royale, one of the oldest districts on the continent. Because of its meticulous preservation of this, the only fortified city remaining in North America, UNESCO has designated Vieux-Québec a World Heritage Site.

Perched on a cliff above a narrow point in the St. Lawrence River, Québec City has a view that seems to take in the whole  world. In the 17th century the first French explorers, fur trappers, and missionaries came here to establish the colony of New France. Today, it still resembles a French provincial town in many ways. The culture, music, food, and art are all distinctly influenced by the French. At the same time, the Quebecois have created their own enduring culture with its  unique traditions, flavors, sounds, and sights.   

Québec City's split level landscape divides Upper Town on the cape from Lower Town, along the shores of the St. Lawrence. Separating these two sections of the city are cliffs of steep and precipitous rock, against which were built more than 25 escaliers (staircases). Both parts of the town offer attractions  ranging from  from centuries old buildings to beautiful churches. The city also has an amazing array of cabarets, cafes, and restaurants where visitors can enjoy the unique Quebecois cuisine.

Quebec City is the closest one can come to being in France without leaving North America.  Visitors to Quebec City are never disappointed. The blend of French culture with other traditions has produced an amazing city of timeless treasures and memories to be shared.

Population: 671,889
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time.
Language: English

Average Temperatures:

How to Get There:

By Plane

Aeroporte de Quebec
500, Rue Principale, Sainte-Foy (Quebec) ,Canada G2G279, 418-640-2700. The airport is located 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) northwest of the city and is served by many of the national and international carriers as well as a variety of local, regional and charter services.

Mirabel International Airport
12600 Aérogare A-1 Street, Mirabel, Québec, Canada J7N 1C9, 800-465-1213

Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
975 Roméo-Vachon Blvd North, Montréal, Québec, Canada H4Y 1H1,514-394-7377

Ground Transportation
Car rental, taxi, shuttle service and limousine service is available at all of the airports as well as throughout the city.

By Car

From the U.S. :
Québec City is slightly more than 805km (500 miles) from New York, and less than 644km (400 miles) from Boston. Coming from New York and points farther south, pick up Interstate 91 at New Haven, and follow it right up to the Canadian border. From Boston, take I-93 out of the city and link up with I-91 at St. Johnsbury, Vermont. After crossing the border, I-91 becomes Québec Autoroute 55, to Sherbrooke and Drummondville. From Sherbrooke, there is a choice. To make the trip quickly, take Autoroute 55 to Autoroute 20. But Route 116, which heads northeast from Richmond, midway between Sherbrooke and Drummondville, is more scenic, if a bit slower.

From Montreal & Vice Versa
When driving to Québec City from Montréal, Autoroute 40, which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence, is faster than Autoroute 20, on the south shore. The trip takes less than 3 hours without stops.

By Bus

Gare Centrale d`autobus
320, Rue Abraham-Martin, Québec (Québec) G1K 8N2, 415-525-3000

Terminus Sainte-Foy
925, Ave de Rochebelle, Sainte-Foy (Québec) G1V 4H8, 418-525 3000

By Train

Gare du Palais
450, Rue de la Gare-du-Palais, Québec (Québec) G1K 3X2, 418-524-4161

Gare de Sainte-Foy
3255, Chemin de la Gare, Sainte-Foy (Québec) G1W 3A3 , 418-658-8792

How to Get Around:

Quebec City Bus (RTC)
418-627-2511

Taxi

Québec Taxi Co-op
418-525-5191

Taxi Québec
418-522-2001

Sainte-Foy / Sillery
Taxi Laurier, 418-651-2727

Taxi Coop
418-653-7777

Rail

Gare Du Palais
450, de la Gare du Palais, Quebec, 418-692-3940

January

Carnaval de Quebec Mr. Christie
Held in late January – mid February, Location: 290, rue Joly, Québec QC G1L 1N8,418-626-3716. The Quebec Winter Carnival is a great winter celebration for the entire family. It is a gathering of art, culture, sports and entertainment in an event that people from around the world are invited to share.

February

Antique Snowmobile Festival
Held in early February, Location:  Centre-ville de Saint-Raymond, 418-337-4049, Call for additional information.

Winter Carnival – Le Carnaval de Quebec
Held in late January – mid February, Location: 290, rue Joly, Québec QC G1L 1N8, 418-626-3716. The largest singular event on the city's social calendar is the Winter Carnival, reputedly the biggest annual event of its kind in the world and one of the reasons why Québec City gets as jammed with people in the middle of winter as it does in summer. The carnival features parades, ice sculptures, dances, a snow slide that sets up on Terrasse Dufferin, and the vigorous downing of locally brewed beers such as  St. Ambroise and Boréale. The master of ceremonies since the festival began in 1954 has been a    character called Bonhomme, who allegedly snowshoes in from a place called Knulandis  and appears around town dressed only in a red hat and a jolly grin.

March

Papillons en fete
Held mid February – mid April, Location:6029, boulevard Hamel, L'Ancienne-Lorette,418-872-9705. Exotic butterfly sanctuary.

June

Air Nova Horse Show
Held over 4 days in late June, Location:  St-Jean-Baptiste, 418-647-1300 (2248), Admission free to most events. For four days in late June the Plains of Abraham are transformed into a giant equestrian circuit. This is a premiere stop on the World Cup, attracting well-known horses and riders from around the world; everything from pony rides for the kids to riding accessories and polo demonstrations are offered. Past events have also included an equestrian circus, dog show, miniature horse exhibitions and art exhibits. A moderately priced Show Button  offers complete access to all events.

July

Quebec International Summer Festival
Held in early – mid July, Location: Quebec City, 514-284-2860. To meet their objective, event planners have turned not only to the stars of Québec's 70s musical scene but also to outstanding representatives of the younger generation of performing artists who, together, will renew the spirit of fraternity epitomizing this mega-gathering of cultures, a forerunner of today's Québec City Summer Festival.

Les Grands Feux Loto-Quebec
Held end of July – mid August, Location:  Montmorency Falls Park, 418- 692-3736. There could hardly be a more spectacular venue for international competitive fireworks displays than Montmorency Falls Park, just outside of Quebec City. Illuminating the night sky and the falls themselves, teams from around the world compete over three weeks for the coveted Solstice Loto-Qubec award; traditional favourites include Italy, Spain and South Africa's Pyro Spectacular. Regular admission to the park is free (parking is CAD7), and spectators can set up camp anywhere on the grounds.

August

Expo Quebec
Held in mid – late August, Location: Centre de Foires, Expocité. 250 boul. Wilfrid-Hamel.
418-691-7110. Relive childhood memories at Expo Québec, the biggest fairground in eastern Canada which offers a wide variety of exciting activities!

SAQ New France Festival
Held in early August, Location: Old Quebec 5, rue du Cul-de-Sac, C.P. 128, succ. B, Québec, Québec, Canada G1K 7A1, 418-694-3311. Festivities feature the history and heritage of New France and encourage visitors to join in the fun. The 5-day event is held in the heart of Old Quebec.

October

The Quebec City Festival of Sacred Music
Held in late October – early November, Location: Église Saint-Roch. 590, rue Saint-Joseph Est. 418-525-9777.  From Gospel music to Gregorian chants, from Corsican polyphony to Celtic sounds, the Festival features music inspired by the world’s many spiritual traditions, both ancient and contemporary, performed by artists of international fame. Through their art, they give expression to sacred music’s power to create a sense of both peace and exaltation.

December

Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup
Held in mid December, Location: Station Touristique Stoneham, 1420 avenue du Hibou, 418-827-1122. Some of the best riders of the World compete in the Halfpipe, Big Air, Parallel Giant Slalom, and Parallel Slalom disciplines.

Arts and Entertainment

Quebec Opera
1220 avenue Taché , Québec, QC G1R 3B4, 418-529-4142. Performances held at the Grand Theatre de Quebec. Call for performance schedule

Quebec Symphony Orchestra
Location: Montcalm/St-Sacrement, 418-646-8486. Season runs September – May, call for schedule. Boasting a remarkable amount of musical talent for a city of Quebec's size, this top-notch orchestra delivers a full program of concerts and events.

Theatre de la Bordee
Located in Old Quebec, 418-694-9721, Call for additional information and schedule.  One of a surprising number of small independent theatre companies in Quebec City, this venerable organization mounts four productions annually.

Theatre Periscope
Located in Montcalm/St-Sacrement, 418-648-9989. Call for additional information and schedule
Situated at the creative forefront of Quebec theatre, the Periscope also sponsors public discussion sessions with respect to their program and art in general.

Elvis Story
Located in Old Quebec, 418-694-4444, Call for additional information and schedule. This rollicking chronicle of Elvis Presley's runs at Quebec City's Le Capitôle theatre, and audiences show no sign of tiring of the now infamous production. Hear all of the King's most famous numbers during the biographical drama, including a show-stopping medley of "Blue Suede Shoes," "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Heartbreak Hotel."

Theatre du Trident
Located in Montcalm/St-Sacrement, 418-643-5873, Call for additional information and schedule
One of Quebec City's premier theatre companies, staging plays from Quebec and around the world.

Grand Theatre de Quebec
Located in Montcalm/St-Sacrement ,418-643-8131, Call for additional information and schedule
Quebec City's modern theatre stands in stark contrast to the venerable beauty of the Palais Montcalm, which it effectively replaced. Built in the mid-1960s, the home of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra and l'Opera de Quebec does have its own charm, however. The Salle Louis-Frechette seats 1,875 in a classic four-tier arrangement, while the Salle Octave-Cremazie is a more intimate option at 506 seats. With a huge annual program befitting a first-class, multi-use facility, any visitor with an interest in the arts is likely to find himself, enjoyably, at the Grand.

Sports

Capitales Baseball Club of the Northern League
Games played at the Municipal Stadium, 100 rue du Cardinal Maurice-Roy, 418-521-2255,Call for additional information and schedule.

Hippodrome de Quebec
Professional harness racing, 250 bd. Wilfrid-Hamel ExpoCité, 418-524-5283, Admission free. Races held year round

Église St-Jean- Baptiste
410 rue St-Jean. 418-525-7188 . Constructed by the architect Joseph Ferdinand Peachy this church was inspired by the facade of the Église de la Trinité in Paris. The present church, which dates to 1884 features 36 stained-glass windows – each consisting of 30 sections.  The impressive sound of the church organ is a final touch in this majestic monument.

Aquarium du Québec
1675 av. des Hôtels 418-627-2511 The aquarium, located near the center of the city, contains more than 340 species of marine life.  This collection of animals includes everything from reptiles, exotic fish, to seals from the lower St. Lawrence River.  A wooded picnic area makes for a great afternoon or early morning.

Jardin Zoologique du Québec
9300 rue de la Faune 418-622-0313. This zoo is especially unique because of the DuBerger River, which runs through the park.  200 animal species make their home in the Jardin.  The animals that call – or maybe “roar” the Jardin home include bears, wildcats, primates, and birds of prey.  Another unique feature of this park is that during the winter months visitors can cross-country ski.

Musée de Québec (Québec Museum)
1 av. Wolfe-Montcalm 418-643-2150. Showcasing more than 20,000 traditional and contemporary pieces of Québec art, the Quebec Museum is a must see.  An interesting feature of the museum is the incorporation of a newly renovated building – this building, however was once a functioning prison that is said to date back to 1867.

Plains of Abraham
418-648-4071 . This park, named after the river pilot Abraham Martin, is the site of the famous battle of 1759. However, nowadays visitors use the area to cross-country ski and for sleigh rides during the summer.   And once the snow has melted, visitors can lace up their in-line skates and take a “roll” through the plains.

Château Frontenac
1 rue des Carrières, 418-692-3861. This castle is Quebec’s most celebrated landmark.  The Frontenac was completed in 1925 with the unique addition of a 20 story central tower.  Due to its impressive stature and history, the Chateau Frontenac enjoys a wide variety of famed visitors.

Verrerie La Mailloche
58 rue Sous-le-For, 418-694-0445. Catch the sight of a true master at work!   The glassblowing techniques used in this museum are said to be quite ancient – however the products tend to be quite modern.   Master glassblower Jean Vallières gives a demonstrative workshop for visitors.

Musée de la Civilisation (Museum of Civilization)
85 rue Dalhousie, 418-643-2158 . Oddly located, this museum’s locale is on the foot of a cliff.  The museum designed by architect Moshe Safdie, is lined with a limestone and glass facade that has been made in order for the structure to creatively blend into the surrounding landscape.  Its campanile echoes the shape of church steeples throughout the city.  The museum tells the story of Quebec’s culture and its people. Many exhibits detail the arrival of the first, the role of the Roman Catholic Church and the Québec nationalism.

Edifice Price (Price Building)
65 rue Ste-Anne. Known to be the city's first skyscraper, this structure 20story structure was modeled in the Art Deco style.  Built in 1929 it served as the main headquarters of the Price Brothers Company.

Couvent des Ursulines (Ursuline Convent)
18 rue Donnacona. Founded in 1639 by two French nuns, this is one of the oldest of all girl schools.  Located on the property are the Musée des Ursulines and the Chapelle des Ursulines – both of which are open to visitors.

Montcalm Monument
Pl. Montcalm. This monument was erected as a tribute to Louis-Joseph Montcalm, a general who won four major battles in North America. Grande Théâtre de Québec 269 blvd. René-Lévesque Est.
418-646-0609. Opened in 1971, the theater incorporates two main halls.  The halls are named in honor of Louis-Frechette and Octave-Crémazie. For a taste of the theater don’t miss out on this site of cultural distinction.

Parc de l'Esplanade (Esplanade Park)
100 rue St-Louis , 418-648-7016 , The French began building ramparts along the city's natural cliff as early as 1690 to protect themselves from British invaders.  3 miles of walls surround this park.  Guided tours are offered in the summer.

Granby Zoo
Autoroute 10, Exit 68, Route 139, 450-372-9113. Recently added to the entourage is the AFRIKA Pavilion and its gorillas and AMAZOO.  Amazoo is a  water park featuring what is claimed to be the biggest wave pool in all of Canada.  Zoo features include family water games, more than 1,000 animals, the Children's Zoo, l'Île du Fort Magik and Château Yoplait.

Parc Safari
850 Route 202 ,450-247-2727 . Parc Safari is a family recreational park.  Some of the sights and activities include animals, swimming, rides, shows, picnics, games, trails, shops, and restaurants.  Parc safari provides the whole family with a full day of fun and discovery.