Quebec City Tour Guide

If on your next vacation, you’d like to discover somewhere with medieval French charm, with its winding back streets; if you’d like to wander past mellowed stone buildings and ancient trees; if you want to photograph weathered cannons and horse-drawn calèches, come and make your stay in Québec City.

When you visit Québec City for the first time, you’ll be in awe of the beauty of the surrounding the city. It has been said that it is possible to learn the history of a city by examining the local architecture. This certainly applies to Québec City, whose architectural history can be seen on all the buildings from Place-Royale to the outskirts of the modern city.

There are a lot of things to see and do in Quebec City, and here are some places you should look into:

Basilique Cathédrale Notre-Dame
There’s history and mystery at this cathedral! Basilique-Cathédrale Notre -Dame de Québec Church became the first parish church in North America in 1664.
Capital Observatory
The best view of the city itself is from the Capital Observatory, 31 floors above the Hôtel du Parlement.
Cartier-Brèbeuf National Historic Site
This National Historic Site commemorates the period in 1535-1536 when Jacques Cartier and his shipmates – one of them martyred Jesuit priest Jean de Brèbuef.
Centre d'Interpretation
Perhaps one of the best ways to get your bearings before venturing out on days full of sightseeing is to visit this exhibition.
Chateau Frontenac
The historic Chateau Frontenac is not only a beautiful hotel but it is also a part of Québec City's history and culture. It is a romantic getaway and an excellent attraction to mark on your must-see list.
Choco-Musee Erico
Even if you’re not a chocoholic, it will be interesting to see how chocolate is made and learn the history of chocolate from Mayan times to the present day.
Domaine Maizerets
This city-owned site offers cultural and educational exhibitions, tours of the floral gardens and the arboretum, concerts at the chau Maizerets and walking paths through the grounds.
Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
The church, copied from two medieval French designs, features a 73-meter (240-foot) spire which towers high above the surrounding neighborhood. Seven varieties of Italian marble were used to build this.
Québec Fortifications
One of the city’s most unique features is the 4.6km (2.9-mile) rampart encircling the Old Town, making it the only walled city north of Mexico.
Hotel du Parliament
The Québec Parliament building, a product of architect Eugène-Étienne Taché and built between 1877 and 1886, was designed with four wings set in a square around an interior court.
Quebec Citadel
Also called the Gibraltar of the Americas, the Citadel is a national historic monument and an official residence of the Governor General
Maison François-Xavier Garneau
This mansion was the 19th century home of François-Xavier Garneau, historian and founder of the Institut Canadien de Québec.
Montmorency Falls
Measuring 83 meters high - 90 feet higher than Niagara Falls - an amazing attraction for all ages. Take the short 15 minutes trip to see this natural wonder.

Musee du Fort
This sound and light show recreates the six sieges of Québec City and the famous battle on the Plains of Abraham.

Museum of French America
Occupying part of the Québec Seminary (dating to 1663) this is the oldest museum in Canada.

Museum of Civilization
Close to the historic site of Place-Royale, this internationally renowned state museum presents four permanent and six temporary thematic exhibitions at a time.

National Battlefields Park
Occupying the 267 acre Plains of Abraham, situated to the southwest of the Citadel, is the site of the decisive battle of 1759. Today, it is a wide green space popular for summer concerts and as a place to walk or bike.

Old Port of Québec Interpretation Centre
This is the best place to go on a good, guided walking tour of the Old Port. Llearn about history related to the timber trade and shipbuilding, and the importance of Québec City as a gateway to American in the mid-19th century

Artillery Park
Artillery Park showcases the four buildings remaining of what once was a complex of up to 20 military, industrial and civilian structures situated to guard the St. Charles River and the Old Port.

Plains of Abraham
This site was the scene of the final battle in the 1759 conquest of New France by Britain where both the French General Montcalm and the British General Wolfe were killed in the battle. Today, the Plains of Abraham form a large part of Battlefields Park.

Québec National Museum of Fine Arts
Over 22,000 selections of works are displayed in three chronological exhibitions

Vieux-Port / Place Royale Commercial District
A trip to Québec City is incomplete until you’ve visited the area that was once the home of wealthy merchants who were shipbuilders, loggers, fishermen and fur traders.

Old Québec’s Lower Town
At its center of Lower Town you’ll find Place Royale, the historical market square that has been faithfully restored to its former glory

Old Québec’s Upper Town
The first thing most visitors head for when they visit Québec City is the Old Town’s Haute-Ville (Upper Town), where the towering Château Frontenac is located. This hotel was built in 1893, although the tower that gives it its distinctive appearance was added in the 1920s.

Wax Museum
Whereas many of Québec City’s museums have a historical and serious nature, this is a good place to go when you’re looking for a ittle lighter entertainment.

Quebec City Kiosk © 2007 - Your Guide to Quebec City, Quebec