The building in front of you is one of the most striking city halls in Canada. It was built on the site of an old Jesuit college dating back to the 17th century. The Jesuits arrived in New France in 1625 and established their college in Quebec to evangelise young Read more

Welcome to Notre-Dame de Québec, the oldest Catholic church north of Mexico, and the only one outside Europe to have a Holy Door. The first church was built here in 1647 and named Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, or Our Lady of Peace. In 1674, the church was Read more

Whether the holidays are just around the corner or still months away, Quebec’s Christmas boutique is a must-see. This magical little shop is a dream come true for anyone who loves Christmas. It’s packed with decorations of every kind—from simple and classic, to Read more

This charming little alley is called Rue du Trésor—or “Treasure Street.” It was given this name because it once led to the treasury on Saint-Louis Street, where colonists would exchange currency and pay their dues. In the 1960s, two artists started displaying their Read more

On your left, you’ll see a totem-like aluminum sculpture. It blends different elements of Old Quebec and is one of several commemorative monuments spread across the city’s four heritage districts—each one telling a piece of Quebec’s story. To your right Read more

Welcome to Place d’Armes, one of the city’s top tourist spots. It sits at the foot of Château Frontenac, next to the Dufferin Terrace and the tourist information centre. This square dates back to the 1640s, when it was called Grand-Place and stood next to the old Château Read more

You’re now walking through the Passage du Chien d’Or, or Golden Dog Passage. It has nothing to do with the statue in front of you, which depicts Monseigneur de Laval, the first bishop of Quebec. To uncover the story behind the Golden Dog, look up at the Read more

You’re now standing in front of Montmorency Park. The man on the pedestal is Georges-Étienne Cartier—a 19th-century politician, founder of the Province of Quebec, co-Prime Minister, lawyer, and author of the first version of the national anthem, O Read more

Montmorency Park, perched at the tip of Upper Town, offers a breathtaking view over the Saint Lawrence River. This is the narrowest point of the river. In fact, the name Quebec means “where the river narrows” in the Algonquin language, used by the Read more

Here it is—the famous Fresque des Québécois, inspired by a similar mural in Lyon, one of France’s largest cities. This idea came from the president of Quebec’s National Capital Commission—a body responsible for promoting and beautifying the city. When he Read more

This commemorative plaque on the wall of the Barbel House pays tribute to the arrival of the Filles du Roy—the King’s Daughters—in New France. When Louis XIV ascended to the throne in 1661, the future of his American colony looked bleak. The British Read more

Welcome to the heart of the city during the days of New France. This is where Samuel de Champlain settled, building his Habitation—a structure that served as a fort, a warehouse, a trading post, and a residence all at once. You can see its outline Read more

As you exit the charming rue du Cul-de-Sac—also known as Umbrella Alley, thanks to the colourful umbrellas overhead—you’ll find the entrance to the home of Jean-Baptiste Chevalier, a shipowner and merchant. It’s the house you just passed, with red shutters. The Read more

To the left, you’ll see the beautiful Petit-Champlain mural, created by the Mural Création collective. The artwork depicts life in Cap Blanc, Quebec’s old working-class port district. It marks the entrance to Rue du Petit-Champlain—the most iconic tourist street in Read more

It’s time to head to Upper Town, at the top of Cap Diamant—the name early explorers gave to Quebec’s cliff, believing they discovered diamonds there. To reach the top, you have two options. For a few dollars, you can take the historic funicular, in service since 1879. Read more

Let me introduce you to Samuel de Champlain, the founding father of New France. He laid the foundations for the colony and built alliances with Indigenous nations such as the Montagnais, Huron, Odawa, and Nipissing. He even fought alongside them in battle Read more

Rising up ahead of you is the Château Frontenac, an iconic symbol of the city, just like the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty. It’s the most photographed spot in Quebec—some even say it’s the most photographed hotel in the world. Yes, you heard that right— Read more

This beautiful walkway is Dufferin Terrace, one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. This was originally the site of Fort Saint-Louis, built in 1620 by Samuel de Champlain. His successor, Governor Montmagny, expanded the residence and built a Read more

The wooden staircase in front of you leads to the Governors’ Promenade—an extension of Dufferin Terrace that connects Château Frontenac to the Plains of Abraham, along the Quebec Citadel. Stretching over 500 metres, it’s the perfect place for a peaceful walk, Read more

You’re now walking along the ramparts, between two of the most iconic gates of Quebec’s old city walls, surrounded by cannons aimed at a long-gone enemy. This is the only fortified city north of Mexico! The 4-kilometre wall was built around the city by the Read more

Take a moment to admire the impressive building in front of you - the magnificent home of Quebec’s National Assembly. Built between 1875 and 1886, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in the province. When the British North America Act was signed in Read more