Québec City is one of the oldest, most beautiful and most charming cities in the Western Hemisphere; it is located 150 miles (roughly 3 hours) northeast of Montreal. Founded on a cliff overlooking a narrow point on the north short of the St. Lawrence River, this is one of the most geographic locations in North America.

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.

Here’s a bit of trivia for you, to show you the immense historical value of Québec City. Québec City has:

• The oldest hospital in North America, the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec
• The oldest inn of North America, the Auberge du Trésor
• The status of the only walled North American city north of Mexico
• The oldest newspaper in North America, the The Québec Chronicle-Telegraph
• The oldest university in Canada, the Université Laval, and the second oldest in North America
• The oldest Catholic diocese north of Mexico
• The oldest community radio station in Canada, CKRL
• The oldest symphonic formation of Canada, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec
• The oldest commercial quarter in North America, the Petit-Champlain,

Knowing these facts, it’s no doubt that in Québec City, you will find that the past is always present. The city will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2008. From its origin as a fur trading post to its present status as Québec's provincial capital, Québec City has been committed to restoring the buildings, forts and general elements from its past.

However, though it possesses a stately age, don’t be concerned about not having today’s amenities; the city offers modern malls, convention centers and hotels that cater to both vacation and business clientele. The year-round activities, including the many festivals, are truly up to date…and the dining is top notch!

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.

If you’d like to find out the history of this city firsthand, stroll through its oldest neighborhoods, like Petit Champlain, Place Royal, the Old Port. Québec City is a delightful place to just wander around for a few days; head out in a general vicinity, put your hour-by-hour itinerary away, and just soak in the ambiance of the area.
Québec City is divided by steep bluffs into Upper Town and Lower Town.

Upper town includes the old quarter. Perched atop Cap-Diamant, the old quarter is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attractions in the Upper Town include many museums devoted to recounting historic events and those set up by religious organizations, such as the Musée des Augustines de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec – recounting the history of the nuns who founded the first hospital north of Mexico.

The Citadel, Chateau Frontenac, Plains of Abraham and the Québec Parliament are all attractions located in Upper Town, sharing the space with a variety of standout shops and markets.

In Lower Town, Petit Champlain is a cobblestone street filled with restaurants and boutiques. You’ll also find history museums and the renowned Musée de la Civilization, which hosts excellent archaeological and anthropological exhibitions. The nearby Vieux-Port (Old Port) has a promenade bordering the St Lawrence River.

The Naval Museum of Québec is found in Lower Town, as well as Place-Royal, the site of the first permanent settlement in New France.

From its earliest days, Québec City was a center for education, religion and the military. Today, the provincial capital still is a center for these endeavors, plus industry. It is the site of Laval University and other colleges and cultural institutions. Manufacturers include newsprint, milled grain, cigarettes, and clothing. Shipbuilding and tourism are also important industries.