Old Quebec

Québec City

Old Quebec
Old Quebec
Old Quebec which includes signage, a city and street scenes
Old Quebec which includes general coastal views, a coastal town and a city
Old Quebec

This walled, historic district is internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site and contains Québec’s oldest and most famous buildings and attractions.

Enjoy the ambience of Old Québec when you walk its narrow cobblestone streets, admire its traditional French architecture and visit its boutiques and bistros. The old city rises from the Place-Royale on the banks of the St. Lawrence River all the way up to Château Frontenac at the top of the Cap Diamant promontory. 

Old Québec is the only walled city in North America and is carefully preserved as a World Heritage Site. Covering 333 acres (135 hectares) the quarter is divided into two parts: the Lower Town (Basse-Ville) and the Upper Town (Haute-Ville). The district contains many of Québec’s oldest and most significant buildings, many of which date from before 1850.

Walk along the streets of the Lower Town. Check out the museums and old buildings of the Old Port (Vieux-Port), and go shopping for antiques along Rue Saint-Paul. Sit down for a meal at one of the bistros lining the pedestrian-only Rue du Petit-Champlain. To get to the Upper Town, take a ride on the cable railway or climb the adjacent stairway on the north end of this street. 

The Upper Town sits on the promontory of Cap Diamant, high above the St. Lawrence River, and is dotted with fortifications. Walk the circuit past the walls, towers, bastions and gates that once kept invading American armies at bay. Take pictures of the turreted Château Frontenac, the grand hotel dominating Québec’s skyline.

Explore historic sites such as the Citadelle of Québec, a star-shaped fortress. This massive structure houses a regiment of the Canadian Army, which regularly performs a Changing of the Guard ceremony. Walk along Dufferin Terrace, a long promenade. Take a seat on a bench and watch the boats glide by on the river below.

Old Québec is best navigated on foot or by bike. You can also explore the district by using the small Écolobus, a cheap, electric city bus that moves between the Upper and Lower towns. Alternatively, take a taxi or rent a car. Note that parking is metered and limited and some of the streets are narrow and crowded.


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Old Quebec which includes signage, a city and street scenes

Upper Town

If you're spending some time in Upper Town, Quebec City Town Hall and Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec are top sights worth seeing.

Upper Town
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Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-Colline Parlementaire

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Old Port Quebec City

Old Port Quebec City is known for its stunning river views, and you can see some sights area like Quebec Cruise Terminal and Agora Port de Quebec.

Old Port Quebec City
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Cap-Blanc

If you're spending some time in Cap-Blanc, Plains of Abraham and Grande Allée are top sights worth seeing.

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Saint-Jean-Baptiste

If you're spending some time in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Grand Theatre of Quebec and Grande Allée are top sights worth seeing.

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Saint-Roch

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Saint-Roch is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Marina Saint-Roch or The Museum of L'Isle-aux-Grues.

Saint-Roch

Old Quebec