The Spirit of French America

Quebec City is a magical place whatever the season. Meandering through its winding streets on a winter evening is an enchanting experience: the snow sparkles under the glow of the street lamps and the whole city resembles a scene from A Christmas Carol. Quebec City stands out as much for the stunning richness of its architectural heritage as for the remarkable beauty of its location. The Haute-Ville (upper town) quarter covers a lovely promontory more than 98 m (322 feet) high, known as Cap Diamant.

Overview / Attractions

Vieux Québec

As an administrative and institutional centre, this area is adorned with convents, chapels and public buildings whose construction dates back, in some cases, to the 17th century. The walls of Haute-Ville, dominated by the citadel, surround this section of Vieux-Québec, giving it a fortress-like appearance. The picturesque urban planning of the 19th century has contributed to the present-day image of Quebec City through the construction of such impressive buildings as the Château Frontenac, and the creation of such public spaces as Terrasse Dufferin, in the belle époque spirit. UNESCO recognized Vieux-Québec as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

Petit Champlain et le Vieux-Port

This area is sometimes called the Basse-Ville (lower town) of Vieux-Québec and is the cradle of New France. Place Royale is where, in 1608, Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635) founded the settlement he called Abitation that would later become Quebec City. You will find the Musée des Civilisation and the Funiculaire in this area.

Grande Allée

Grande Allée is the most pleasant route into the downtown area and is located in part of the Haute-Ville that extends beyond the wall. Despite the fact that it links the capital's various ministries, it is a lively street and many of its bourgeois houses have been converted into restaurants and bars. Grande Allée provides easy access to the Parc des Champs-de-Bataille (Plains of Abraham).

Saint-Jean-Baptiste

A student hangout complete with bars, theatres and boutiques, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste quarter is perched on a hillside between Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville. Despite a terrible fire in 1845, this old Quebec City suburb retains several examples of wooden constructions, which were forbidden inside the walls of the city.

Going Out

With over 95% of the population of French ancestry, the capital of Québec is home to an impressive number of excellent restaurants and cafés. It is a lively city all year round, distinguished by the changing colours of the leaves in the fall; its famous carnival in the winter; the musicians who take to the streets and the newly opened terraces in the spring, and also by its summer festival.

At the foot of the Casse-Cou stairway is Rue du Petit-Champlain, a narrow pedestrian street flanked by charming craft shops and pleasant cafés located in 17th- and 18th-century houses.

Many Quebec City residents appreciate a good cup of espresso. There are many lovely cafés where you can do just that, notably in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste area and along Grande Allée. These are very popular spots that offer a relaxed and convivial atmosphere, perfect for lively conversations or just watching the world go by.