If you are a history lover and imagine yourself as queen or king, then I think there is no better place than Quebec city for your vacation. The only fortified city. In this article, you will learn about the historic sites in Quebec city.
The place is full of historic buildings like The Château Frontenac hotel, which dominates the skyline, and the Citadelle de Quebec, an entire citadel that serves as the showpiece of the ramparts around the ancient city and houses a secondary royal home, which are also municipal highlights.
Within or close to Vieux-Québec are , the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and the Musée de la civilisation.
So let’s start the day trip in Quebec City and deep dive into the city’s history.
Quebec City
Québec City is located on the Saint Lawrence River in the province of Québec, which is primarily French-speaking.
It has a fortified colonial centre, Vieux-Québec, and Place Royale, with stone buildings and narrow lanes dating from 1608, and a fortified colonial core, Vieux-Québec, and Place Royale.
The magnificent Citadelle of Québec and the tall Château Frontenac Hotel are located in this neighbourhood.
Quebec City is one of North America’s earliest European colonies and the only walled city north of Mexico with intact walls.
While many large cities in Latin America date from the 16th century, Quebec City is one of the few cities in Canada and the United States that was founded earlier. It is the site of North America’s earliest known first permanent French settlement.
Its small cobblestone streets, stone structures, fortifications, and high French Canadian culture rooted in the French language are among its other defining features.
List of Places to Visit in Quebec City
Let’s start the tour of North America’s sole extant walled city north of Mexico, and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. You can find an impressive list of historical attractions in Quebec City.
1. Musée de la Civilisation
The first national historic site in Quebec City is The Musée de la Civilisation in Québec City is a 3 institution that explores the human history and the founding of French America, with the main museum in Basse-Ville near the Old Port.
The centre museum, designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, is a work of significant architectural interest. The permanent collection includes artefacts from around the world and explorations of the Québec experience.
At Place Royale, where Samuel de Champlain built Québec, the very first stable French settlement in North America, the Musée de la Civilisation has also displayed.
2. Quartier petit Champlain
In Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, the Quartier Petit Champlain is a tiny commercial zone. It lies in the district of La Cité-Limoilou, near Place Royale and the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, in the Vieux-Québec–Cap-Blanc–colline Parlementaire neighbourhood.
The Rue du Petit-Champlain, at the base of Cap Diamant, is the town’s principal thoroughfare. It is claimed to be North America’s oldest business district.
From its intersection with Rue Sous-le-Fort in the north to Boulevard Champlain in the south, Rue du Petit-Champlain is about 0.16 miles (0.26 km) long.
Quartier Petit Champlain Street is North America’s oldest commercial thoroughfare, going back centuries. Today, Quartier Petit Champlain has around 47 stores and eateries. It’s also on the list of places to visit in Quebec City.
Visitors to Quebec City frequently praise the city’s European allure and nowhere is this more evident than in the Petit Champlain district (Quartier du Petit Champlain), one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods.
3. Beaux-Arts du Québec
The MNBAQ, or Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, is a museum in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The museum, made up of four structures, is located in Battlefield Park.
Three of the structures were constructed specifically for the museum. One structure was erected as a provincial jail before being converted into a museum.
The Musée de la Province de Québec first opened its doors in 1933. Before 1962, when the natural science exhibit was removed, the museum served as a regional record, art, and natural science museum.
The museum was called the Musée du Quebec the following year. In 1979, the regional archives were moved from the museum, leaving it with solely an art collection. The Musée National des beaux-arts du Québec was renamed as Musée national des Beaux-arts du Québec in 2002.
4. Old Québec city
Old Quebec (or Vieux-Québec, as the natives refer to it) is a collection of great sites crammed into a single historic neighbourhood. Old Quebec City is a UNESCO-designated world heritage site ideal for a day trip.
In just a few hours, in old Quebec City, you can visit centuries-old buildings and breathtaking cathedrals and chapels that reflect the province’s religious history.
Of course, even if you’re not a history buff, there’s much to do in the region, from music and art to shopping and exquisite cuisine. A must-see place in old Quebec City.
5. Sainte anne de beaupre
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a township in the La Côte-de-Beaupré Local County Municipality of Quebec, Canada, located 35 kilometres northeast of Quebec City on the Saint Lawrence River.
The Catholic Church has attributed many healing miracles to Saint Anne, making the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré a popular pilgrimage destination.
The first church known as Saint Anne was constructed here in the seventeenth century, and with accounts of miraculous events, it quickly became a pilgrimage site.
6. Notre dame de québec
The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec, situated at 16 rue de Buade in Quebec City, is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec’s primatial church. It is Canada’s oldest church and was the first to be raised to the status of minor basilica by Pope Pius IX in 1874.
The cathedral stands on the site of a chapel built by Samuel de Champlain in 1633, Notre Dame de la Recouvrance. In 1647, work on the first cathedral began, and it was awarded the name Notre Dame de la Paix.
Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica, located in the heart of Old Québec, is open to the public all year.
The cathedral is a National Historic Landmark of Canada and is located inside the Historic City of Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 2014, the Pope approved the construction of this Holy Door in honour of Notre Dame de Québec Parish’s 350th anniversary.
7. Place Royale
Place Royale is located on the original site of Québec’s founding, where Samuel de Champlain established fur trade routes that evolved into the headquarters of French America in 1608.
Place Royale is a tourist hub in Québec for its history and the modern-day atmosphere created by the cafes, patios, and stores that have sprung up around the historical monuments.
One of the most potent monuments to Québec’s French roots is Place-Royale. Until the mid-nineteenth century, this bustling public square was the area’s commercial centre.
Place-Royale paints a complete picture of the site’s illustrious past. Some structures are reminiscent of New France, while others show British influences and the more contemporary glass and steel constructions reflect 21st-century tendencies.
Hundreds of thousands visit each year to immerse themselves in the authentic New France ambience.
8. Château Frontenac
The majestic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, built for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1894, is today one of the city’s most famous attractions and recognized hotels.
This historical monument can be seen from miles away and is especially spectacular at night.
The Château Frontenac is a fine example of the grand hotels built by railway corporations in late-nineteenth-century Canada.
It was officially designated a Site in 1981 and is widely regarded as the world’s largest and most photographed hotel.
9. Montmorency falls
Montmorency falls, with no doubt, one of Québec City’s most impressive natural attractions.
It attracts thousands of people yearly as it rises to 83 meters, 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls.
The falls are about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the center of old Quebec City, on the border between the boroughs of Beauport and Boischatel. The Montmorency Falls Park protects the region surrounding the falls.
The falls are located at the confluence of the Montmorency River, opposing the western extremity of the Île d’Orleans, where it flows over the cliffside into the Saint Lawrence River.
The falls are 83 meters (272 feet) tall and 30 meters (99 feet) taller than Niagara Falls.
10. Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Sainte Anne is Québec’s patron saint and is credited with numerous wonders of healing the sick and afflicted.
This beautiful Catholic basilica, situated northeast of Québec in Beaupre, attracts half a million people yearly. The current church was built in 1926, but the original chapel was built in the seventeenth century.
The patron saint of sailors is Saint Anne. Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is nestled amid a rolling agricultural landscape, with the Laurentian Mountains in the background. On their journey upriver to Quebec City, sailors built the first church to shield themselves from shipwrecks off the coast of Ile-Oeuf.
11. Plains of Abraham
Outside the city walls, to the west of the Citadel, lies the green plain famous as the Plains of Abraham (Champs de Bataille), where the British, headed by General Wolfe, defeated the French under Montcalm in 1759. Exhibits recount the dramatic history of Québec City’s resistance to the British and eventual fall to them.
The park’s orientation and reception centre are the Plains of Abraham Museum. It includes a multimedia exhibit about the siege of Québec and the Plains of Abraham battles in 1759 and 1760.
12. Observatoire de la Capitale
The Observatory, located on the 31st (and top) level of the Marie-Guyart Building, is Québec City’s highest point, affording a breathtaking 360-degree panorama.
Observatoire de la Capitale features a unique multimedia interpretation show that takes guests on a spectacular time journey.
Visitors can go back through Québec City’s rich history using cutting-edge technology such as engaging multitouch workstations, soundscapes, and 3D visuals.
13. Dufferin Terrace
(Dufferin Terrace) is a boardwalk encircles the Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada, and leads to Citadelle de Quebec, with views of the St. Lawrence River.
The Dufferin Terrace, a long wooden walkway adjacent to the Château Frontenac, offers a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River and its environs. It’s a fantastic site to visit any time of year.
14. Quebec National Historic Site
Québec has amassed several fortifications throughout its more than 300-year history that can be visited on an hour-long round walk.
The former French colony was well-protected, as seen by the bastions, walls, towers, gates, and innumerable ancient artillery.
The four and a half kilometres of granite and sand defensive walls on the west flank of the Old City, completed in 1832, are the only fortifications of their kind in North America.
The presence of numerous weapons serves as a continual reminder of Québec’s tumultuous past.
15. Pont de Québec
The gigantic iron structure of the Pont de Québec, which spans the St. Lawrence River at a minor narrows, became famous worldwide even before it was completed.
Between 1899 and 1917, two catastrophic incidents occurred during construction, resulting in the deaths of over 80 workers.
The Pierre Laporte Bridge and the Pont de Québec are twin bridges. It is named after Pierre Laporte, a former Vice-Premier of Québec who was assassinated during the infamous October Crisis.
With a span of 1,040 meters when it was finished in 1970, it was Canada’s longest suspension bridge.
16. Iles de la Madeleine
In the summer, the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago’s dunes and beaches in the Gulf of St. Lawrence river are an idyllic and vibrant area.
Six of the twelve islands in the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago are linked by 90 kilometres of thread-like dunes.
The islands are perfect for water activities, bird watching, and long hikes in the dunes; August is the best month to visit.
17. The Citadelle of Québec
The Citadelle de Québec is North America’s largest British-built fortress. It is part of the fortifications of Québec and is situated atop Cape Diamond, the city’s tallest peak.
The largest British-built fortress was between 1820 and 1831; the British erected this castle to augment French-built defences to safeguard Québec City, Canada’s main defensive bastion during the colonial period.
18. Hotel de Glace-Ice Hotel
Enjoy the winter trip every year; from January to March, only one ice hotel in North America officially opens.
This building marvel is a sight, made up of snow and ice. Explore the Grand Hall, chapel, ice slide, rooms, and suites, and end your tour with a delightful cocktail served in an ice glass at the Ice Bar.
19. The Island of Orleans
The Island of Orleans is only a short drive from Quebec City across a bridge, yet it provides a different view of the region.
Orleans is an island of farmers and agricultural producers, and there are six separate communities to be found as you journey through the countryside: Sainte-Pétronille is located on the island’s tip, offering spectacular views of the Montmorency Falls or even more excellent local wine.
Farm stands and strawberry farms abound in Saint-Laurent. The surviving residences of the pilots who guided ships on the St. Lawrence River in the mid-nineteenth century can be found in Saint-Jean.
The famous observation tower at Saint-François offers spectacular, stunning views of islands and the St. Lawrence Estuary. Apple orchards abound in Sainte-Famille.
20. Parliament Hill
Quebec’s Parliament Building has stood proudly on top of a hill in the city for over a century. Despite its use as a political discussion and decision-making venue, the building has become an important cultural destination.
The picturesque Fontaine de Tourney sits at the front of the Parliament like an ornate centrepiece. The grounds surrounding the building are ornamented with 26 bronze statues memorializing significant personalities in the province’s history.
Walking tours are an excellent way to get a sense of Old Québec City’s European vibe. The Quebec City Walking Tour will take you through the tiny streets of Upper Town and Lower Town to visit historical sites.
You even can’t imagine the places that can be visited in Quebec city. You can check the list of places in Quebec City.
Best Restaurants in Quebec City
Québec Metropolis’s cuisine culture is now on a level with any large Canadian city.
The restaurants here can acquire fresh, elevated ingredients for any style of cuisine because of the neighbouring farms.
Regardless matter what sort of cuisine you prefer or how much money you have, our list of the most incredible restaurant in Québec City will leave you speechless. So let’s begin the food tours.
Alentours
Alentours, like many other recent culinary success stories, is a zero-waste, sustainable restaurant that serves only local fare.
Apart from salt and yeast, all of the restaurant’s food waste is composted, and all products are sourced within a 150-kilometre radius of Saint Sauveur.
ARVI
Omnivores and vegans alike love this hidden gem in Limoilou. It was named The Best New Restaurant in Canada by Air Canada’s EnRoute magazine in 2019.
It is known for defying restaurant conventions. Arvi, which in Savoyard means “see you later,” provides a genuine, personal experience.
The open kitchen eliminates obstacles, allowing you to observe the chefs as they make, dish, and present each dish.
Arvi has a well-deserved status as one of Québec City’s restaurants because of its detailed presentations and innovative flavour combinations.
Battuto
Battuto is an outlier in Québec City’s culinary scene, with its elegant and straightforward approach to contemporary Italian cuisine.
Chef Guillaume Saint-Pierre, bakery and pastry chef Paul Croteau and sommelier Pascal Bussière form a team that provides classic Italian cuisine with a modern bistro twist and a generous helping of French inspiration.
The food fairies at Battuto, like all good nonnas, prepare their homemade bread, pasta, and sauces regularly.
Apart from these famous restaurants, you must visit many other popular restaurants in Quebec City that enjoy the ambience and tasty food.
Places to Stay in Quebec City
Accommodations in Old Quebec, between the Chateau Frontenac and the Citadel, or in the lower Basse-Ville along the river, are the most convenient tourist sites.
This narrow district is densely packed with stores, cafes, restaurants, and heritage landmarks, including a funicular to avoid hiking the significant incline that divides the upper and lower town neighbourhoods.
Here are a few of the best-rated hotels in Quebec City’s Old Town
In the pedestrianized zone of small streets and stores, the Hotel Manoir Victoria features Art Deco elegance and style, a pool and a fantastic restaurant.
Le Saint-Pierre Auberge Distinctive is located in the historic Basse-Ville, just steps from the Museum of Civilization.
Quebec City Marriott Downtown boasts a fantastic fitness centre close to Parliament and the most excellent retail districts, just by the Old Town walls.
Conclusion
Several activities are available around the province in the summer and winter. Some attractions include historic buildings, cultural centres, festivals, small villages, and stunning parks and natural regions.
Walking the cobblestone streets of Quebec City, one of North America’s oldest cities, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you visit landmarks that have weathered the test of time.
With our list of top attractions in Québec, you can find the most significant locations to visit in the province.
You can enjoy your whole vacation in this famous and historic building.
The finest season to explore Quebec City is in the summer, when the warm weather is ideal for wandering through the national historic site and dining on the many outdoor terraces offered by the city’s many restaurants.
If you enjoy winter activities and activities, Quebec City is one of the best places to visit in the country, but be warned: there will be plenty of snow and frigid temperatures. The entire city is full of surprises.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty
