the historic and magical capital of quebec
© f11photo / Shutterstock
Quebec
Quebec in short
The history of Quebec
History buffs will love Québec City's eventful past. A key player in the creation of the province, the former capital of New France was the first city discovered by Jacques Cartier and his men. Since the early 1550s, the Gulf of St. Lawrence has been surveyed by the French and the British. From the Île d'Orléans to the capital, the Europeans fought over the new lands. Today, it's interesting to discover the history of the creation of Quebec, from the small stone houses dating back to the first Europeans, to the Plains of Abraham, the scene of battles and strategies. The history of the country has been remarkably well preserved by Quebecers, through museums, parks, monuments and religious buildings.
A remarkable geographical position
Nestled in the Great North, Quebec City enjoys a fabulous geographical position. On the shores of the immense St. Lawrence River, the capital is accompanied by Île d'Orléans. The 34 km-long islet is home to forests, farmland and the historic traces of the inhabitants of New France, making it a remarkable place for a day trip or a short island weekend. Further north, in the icy waters of the St Lawrence River, you'll find the meeting point of various whales, dolphins and sometimes even sperm whales! From Quebec City, you can take a cruise boat, or a zodiac for the more intrepid, and go marine mammal watching. The flora and fauna around Quebec City is incredible.
Sports enthusiasts will love this exceptional setting. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, snowshoeing and other winter sports are all within easy reach.
Aerial view of Quebec City
- © Firefighter Montreal / ShutterstockEuropean architecture in Canada
Québec City's architecture is a blend of eras and traditions. As a result of the French and British occupations, you'll find old buildings with the feel of European capitals. Some neighbourhoods, once in a state of disrepair, have decided to honour and celebrate their past by completely rehabilitating themselves. Such is the case of the Petit-Champlain district, the liveliest and cutest part of the historic centre. This tourist shopping district was completely renovated around 1980, and Canadian railway companies have built huge châteaux to promote their services. In Quebec City, the Château de Frontenac is one of these impressive constructions, a magnificent monument inspired by the greatest French châteaux and now the symbol of the city. Illuminated by a thousand lights at nightfall, it dominates Quebec City and the Petit-Champlain district.
Rue du center historique de Quebec
- © nicepix / ShutterstockWhy go to Quebec?
A destination for winter sports and mountain lovers
Quebec City is a charming city, but some people prefer the landscapes that surround it all the more. For lovers of hiking, sliding and cross-country skiing, Quebec's mountains are dazzling. Less than an hour and a half from the city, you can ski on some of the finest slopes in the far north. Are you a seasoned hiker? The peaks surrounding Quebec City are impressive. The highest, Mont d'Iberville, peaks at 1652 metres.
Silhouette of a man skiing in Chocs Chic, Quebec Canada
- © GROGL / ShutterstockPoutine: Quebec's culinary speciality
Quebecers have succeeded in setting themselves apart in the culinary world by creating something no one else had dared to do before: poutine. This plate of crispy fries, cheese that makes you "couic-couic" under your teeth and "brown sauce" is the local speciality. You'll find it everywhere, at any time of the day or night. Let yourself be tempted by the original poutine or variants like poutine western, with sausages!
Canadian Putin
- © michelaubryphoto / ShutterstockViewing Quebec City from above
There are few viewpoints as magical as the Quebec Observatory. At over 200 metres high, the Marie Guyart Tower, the city's observatory, gives you a magnificent view of the historic centre, the St. Lawrence River, the Île d'Orléans, etc. On top of that, a journey through the history of the creation of Quebec takes you through the 360° panorama.
Frontenac Castle
- © mervas / ShutterstockA magical historic centre
The narrow, cobbled streets of Petit-Champlain are like something out of a Harry Potter film. Experience an unforgettable moment shopping alongside the locals. Every product is carefully selected by the Coopérative de solidarité du Quartier Petit-Champlain, and you'll find local products, often handmade by Quebec artists.
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The must-sees
All the must-sees
How to get there?
These days, crossing the Atlantic is increasingly accessible. From Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, for example, there are direct flights to Quebec in less than 8 hours, and there are flights from all over Europe to Jean Lesage airport in Quebec City. There's no longer any excuse for turning down a trip across the Atlantic...
Where to stay?
Quebec City is charming and enchanting. The freezing temperatures and incredible architecture of the old buildings from New France make the city a niche for luxury hotels. You'll appreciate a bit of comfort and warmth after a day full of sightseeing.
We've done the research and rounded up the best luxury hotels in Quebec's capital.
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Practical information
The weather in Quebec City
Temperatures in Quebec City can range from -16°C to 26°C. As a result, the four seasons are very marked and offer visitors splendid scenery.
Winter
Quebec winters are very cold. From October to April, temperatures do not exceed 10°C. During the coldest months of the year, December, January and February, temperatures are mostly negative. These waves of extreme cold mean ice cream, winter sports, snow in the streets of Old Quebec, hot chocolates and other winter delights. Naturally, December and January are the two least sunny months of the year.
Summer
Although summer is relatively short, it can be mild and sunny. June, July and August are generally warm months, with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 26°C. July is the sunniest month of the year. However, it is also the month that breaks all records for rainfall, with 142 mm recorded.
When should you go to Quebec?
Summer or winter, Quebec is a fabulous destination. In winter, the snow-covered streets of Old Quebec are magical, while in summer, cruises on the St Lawrence River are sunny and pleasant. Autumn is a particularly beautiful season in Canada. Even though it often rains, the trees display colours ranging from pink to orange, bringing the landscape to life. In spring, the blossoming buds in Quebec's cool temperatures are an unforgettable countryside experience.
Administrative procedures for travelling to Quebec
To travel to Quebec, you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa.
ETA
If you have a valid British passport and your stay does not exceed 6 months, you can simply apply for a travel authorisation to enter Canada. The cost of this procedure is 7 Canadian dollars. The application is made online on the Canadian government website. You will need your passport and your online payment method.
Visa
To study, work, etc., you must contact the Canadian embassy in your country to apply for a visa. You will find more information on the process on the Canadian government website.
How much does a holiday in Quebec cost?
We have calculated an average budget for a one-week holiday for a couple without children. This calculation is not exhaustive and includes meals, accommodation and some activities.
Restaurants in Quebec
The budget we've calculated is for a 7-day holiday for two, with just one meal a day in a restaurant. The other meals can be picnics, meals on the run, snacks cooked in your accommodation, etc. The average price of a restaurant in Quebec City is between 20 and 30 Canadian dollars per person, not including drinks. The budget for 7 meals is therefore 350 Canadian dollars for two people.
Accommodation for two for a week in Quebec City
Hotels and accommodation in Quebec City are varied, ranging from luxury hotels to less expensive bed and breakfasts and flats. To calculate a budget for a week for two, we have calculated average accommodation at 80 Canadian dollars a night in the centre of Quebec City. If you have a car or want to be a little more out of the way, accommodation is cheaper: 6 nights' accommodation in Quebec City costs 480 Canadian dollars.
Daily activities for a stay in Quebec City
Many activities, such as a walk on the Plains of Abraham or a visit to the Île d'Orléans, are free. However, for museums or cruises, for example, you'll need to allow a small budget. To satisfy all budgets and tastes, we recommend a daily budget of 50 Canadian dollars per person for your activities in Quebec City, so you can expect to spend around 700 Canadian dollars on your activities in Quebec City.
Total for a week in Quebec City for two, including accommodation, meals and activities
On average, we have calculated a budget of C$1,530 for a one-week stay in Quebec City for two.
COVID situation
The Canadian government has announced that the COVID-19 measures will come to an end on 1 October 2022.
Car hire in Quebec City
To hire a car in Quebec City and enjoy the freedom of being able to go wherever you want, we recommend you book online to get the best prices. The car hire desks at Jean-Lesage airport in Quebec City offer attractive prices and allow you to collect your hire car as soon as you get off the plane. Discover theEnterprise, Thrifty and Alamo rental outlets at Quebec City airport.
lightbulb_outline Editor's tip
Quebec's capital has a special charm when covered in its white coat. However, don't wait until the Christmas holidays to visit Quebec City. The snow often starts to fall from 7 November onwards.
Canadian government site
Official website of Quebec City
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