Discover Old Quebec: What's the best way to experience Old Quebec?

 How do you best experience Quebec Canada?

We have been to Quebec City several times. Monika came here often as a tour guide, but only saw the highlights of the city. As travel bloggers we want to get to know Quebec Canada better and also explore the city's lesser-known sights. Our goal is to introduce you to Quebec City in an independent and honest way. Therefore, we only report on places that we have visited ourselves.

In contrast to the province of which it is the capital, the city of Quebec is also called Ville de Quebec or Quebec City. It is the second largest city in the province of the same name. Visiting Quebec in Canada means a journey into the history of Quebec. The province of Quebec is Canada's francophone part of the country. Quebec residents speak French. The Canadian city is located on the St Lawrence River, where the Rivière Saint-Charles flows into the great river, and has access to the Atlantic. At Quebec the river narrows, contributing to its strategic location. Quebec rises on a hill above the river at the site where Jacques Cartier encountered the Iroquois village of Stadacona in 1543. However, the real history of Quebec only began under Samuel de Champlain, who founded a trading post here in 1608.

 

 

Visit Quebec City Canada

If you are planning a trip to Quebec City Canada, you will see that there is a lot to do there. You can explore the city's historical sights, enjoy great food, and participate in outdoor activities.

Discover the sights and attractions of Quebec

Québec City is a city that never fails to attract us. Whether it's because its heritage is strongly reminiscent of cities in Europe or because that Cityscape of the old town is very well preserved? The city is definitely one of the oldest in the province Quebec. Is it possibly that Foodthat is served in town? Perhaps the reason is simply that you can feel the savoir vivre of France particularly intensely here? Anyway, we want to Quebec City Get to know each other as well as possible and take a few days for the city on the Sankt Lorenz River. A good decision as it turns out. These tips will help you explore the city and discover its different sides.

 

 

Taking time for the Lower City of Quebec Canada

The old town of Quebec City is spread over two levels: the city areas, which lie directly on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, and whose narrow streets nestle between the river and the cliffs of the Cap Diamant, on which the noble hotel of the city, the Chateau Frontenac, rises. The riverside district, the Lower Town, is the oldest part of Old Quebec. Québec's Lower Town feels like a stroll through a living history book. Between old stone buildings and charming little shops, it's easy to lose track of time. Especially in the morning, when the streets are still quiet, this part of the city unfolds its very special charm. Below the Cape In the year 1608 Samuel de Champlain built a palisade village together with French settlersfrom which you can find traces of excavations around the Place Royale until today.

 

 

We take half a day to explore not only the main streets of the lower city on our tour - the church Notre Dame des Victoires, the Place Royale with the bust of Louis IV, the Rue Sous le Fort, by the battery on the banks of the river Funiculaire, or the Rue du Petit-Champlain, which runs from there through the historic buildings at the foot of Cap Diamant.

Located in the heart of the historic Place Royale, this small, simple church is steeped in more history than meets the eye. Standing in front of the building, you can literally feel the breath of the past.

Colorful shops, small cafés, and street performers give Rue du Petit-Champlain a unique rhythm. A stroll here is a particularly wonderful experience in winter, when snowflakes gently fall and the fairy lights glow.

 

 

 

A visit to the Maison Chevalier

We spend a lot of time on our stroll through the oldest district of Old Quebec and visit the Maison Chevalier, where we learn more about life in the city. The building, which consists of three parts, is now part of the Musée de la Civilization and impresses with its imposing size. When 1752 was built by Jean-Baptiste Chevalier as a residential and trading house, it stood directly on the banks of the Anse-aux-Barques, a bay created by the St. Lawrence below Cap Diamant. It is worth seeing mainly because of its architecture, which shows how to build City in early Quebec. To date, the old cellar vaults of the house are preserved.

The story of Quebec Canada on a house wall

Our way leads us through the hidden side streets away from the sights. If you leave the Place Royale to the east, you pass a building with a monumental mural on which personalities from the history of the city look down on passers-by from the Trompe d'oeuil windows. John Cabot watches us from a window as we take pictures of the house. From another, two Ursuline women look down upon us, who gave training to the girls of the French colony. On the sidewalk below the city gate, Félix Leclerc, a popular singer from Quebec, performs his ballads, while only a few steps away from him Samuel de Champlain seems to set out on his voyages of discovery.

 

 

Stroll the streets of Quebec Canada

Just a few steps further on we reach a narrow lane where, like in a labyrinth, balconies and bridges run over our heads in a dense mess. Our companion Marie von Tour of Voir Quebec explains to us that we are here on a street where mainly Irish immigrants settled in the 19th century. "In a quarter that was flooded every year by the spring floods of St. Lorenz," she explains to us and points to the strikingly high door frames. “There is a reason why the doors are so high here. So you could keep the flood out of the house in spring. Only when you left the house did you have to wade through the floods. ”

 

 

 

Enjoy the Upper Town of Quebec Canada

Even for the younger part of Old Quebec, which is located on the cliffs of Cap Diamant, you should plan at least half a day - we take our time for our leisurely stroll through this part of the city, which we can easily take the funiculaire, the cogwheel train , which leads from the former home of the fur trader and explorer Louis Jolliet up from the lower town. From above we have an all-round view of the Sankt Lorenz Stream, which from here steadily widens until it flows into the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Sankt Lorenz. In winter, the river almost freezes over here. Discover what you can do in Quebec City in winter .

Few buildings define Québec's skyline as much as the Château Frontenac. It towers majestically over the city—a place where you almost feel like you're part of a historical film. While strolling along the Promenade Dufferin, it's hard to resist pausing to admire the view of the St. Lawrence River, with the château in the background almost like a theatrical backdrop.

We look over at the Ile d'Orleans, which provided fresh fruit and vegetables to the early settlers, a tradition that continues to this day. Fresh apples, wine, peaches, apricots, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes and other agricultural products are still brought daily from the island to the Grand Marché de Quebec. To this day I Quebec City is known for enjoy your meal. The nickname "Island of Bacchus" describes the role of this elongated island, which sits like a plug at the point where the river pours out of its narrow bed towards the ocean.

 

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Have a coffee in one of the bistros on the Place d'Armes

We enjoy the beautiful view of the central square of the upper town of Old Quebec and listen to the sounds of the trumpet player who takes us with his music to the Paris of the fifties. In the bistros below the square you can take a break and enjoy a lunch or a cup of coffee while passing by.

 

 

Artists meet in Rue Trésor

In Rue Trésor, just around the corner, we watch the painters paint their works: watercolors of Quebec in all seasons - with flowers, inviting street cafes, in winter with snow and, of course, Château Frontenac from all possible perspectives. If you are looking for a souvenir that evokes memories, you will find it at the painters in this small side lane that goes from the Place d'Armes towards basilica leads, certainly find. However, we are not tempted by the paintings this time, but are on the search for Québec off the usual tourist routes.

 

 

Discover Quebec Canada off the beaten track

Since we know Old Québec already from previous visits, we let ourselves drifting this time and choose the streets in Québec's old town, through which the tourist crowds do not flow. Just past the town hall, we follow Rue Sainte-Anne and pass the oldest Scottish church in Quebec, the Presbyterian Saint Andrews Church. Nevertheless she is one of the younger ones Churches of Quebec. The community can trace its origins back to the Scottish Fraser Highlanders in Wolfe's army who conquered Québec City in 1759. On our tour we quickly realize that in this part of the city we are much more confronted with the historical developments of the city after it was conquered by the British.

 

 

 

James Wolfe meets at the Center Morrin

We meet General James Wolfe again a few steps further. His statue still shows the way in the Center Morrin library. As we learn, the statue itself apparently didn't always know the direction. She has had an odyssey through the whole world. A few years ago they were discovered by chance in a junk shop in England. There it was recognized as a depiction of James Wolfe and brought back to Quebec, where it had once been made. However, no one knows how she came to England.

 

 

Learn about the defenses of Quebec Canada

Our path takes us past the Maison Dauphine. We see the city's old fortifications, which still surround old Quebec today. The French had surrounded their city with a fortification wall for protection. The ramparts are difficult to recognize as such from the outside. They contain a deep ditch on the land side that was intended to keep enemies out. Nevertheless, these facilities did not help in the defense of the city. General Montcalm ordered his soldiers to confront the attackers under James Wolfe in the decisive battle in 1759 on the Plaines d'Abraham outside the city gates. However, why he did this is still unclear today.

 

 

Visit the Park de l'Artillery

Finally, in the Park de l'Artillerie we see the model of the city with its defenses and ramparts. Again, we get no answer as to why the city was lost to the British. What is certain is that both General Montcalm and James Wolfe lost their lives in this battle. From then on, the city's fortunes changed. Since then, Quebec has been under British influence. To this day, the motto of the province and the city is: “Je me souviens” (I remember). The battle at the gates of the city is still present in the minds of the city's residents.

 

 

Follow in the footsteps of Irish immigrants

On our way back to the lower city we see more defenses with their cannons. These point outwards over the defensive walls. However, we can see how little they helped the city just a few steps away from a Celtic cross. This is reminiscent of the Irish immigrants in later years. These mainly worked in the docks at the harbor and earned their daily living in a hard way.

 

 

With these tips you are definitely well prepared to really get to know the old town of Québec. Take enough time for the lower town and the upper town and explore the city off the beaten track. The best thing to do is to just let yourself go and walk through the city with your eyes open. This is the best way for visitors to see it.

On this map you will find the lesser-known sights of Quebec

 

 

Have you been to Quebec City?

How were your experiences? Did you have any special experiences? Or have you discovered other sights that are less well known? Maybe you've eaten at a special restaurant that you can recommend to other travelers? Share your experiences in Quebec City in the comments to this blog post. Our readers will appreciate your tips.

Further information and sources:

• UNESCO World Heritage Convention
• Tourism Office
• Wikipedia
• Museum of Civilization

 

Quebec Canada Questions and Answers

What language do they speak in Quebec?

French is spoken in Quebec Canada. In the two big cities of Montreal as well as in Quebec City you can always find someone who speaks English, although the chance is lower in Quebec City.

Why should you travel to Quebec?

Quebec City is the city in Canada that still retains its European roots. When you stroll through the old town you have the impression of walking through a city in France. There are also modern districts outside the city walls.

What should you know about Quebec?

The population of this province speaks French. Quebec City is the capital of the province. The parliament is located at the gates of the old town.

What to eat in Quebec

One of Quebec's most famous specialties is Poutine. There are also many in Quebec City Restaurants, where Quebec specialties with game, berries and hearty home cooking are served.

What to do in Quebec in winter?

Even if the winter in Quebec is cold, you can still enjoy it. You can experience it, for example, at the Winter Carnival and watch the Quebecers cross the frozen river in boats. Museums as well as other sights are worth a visit. The ice hotel is located just a few kilometers outside of Quebec City. You can also go ice fishing or go on a dog sled tour.

 

 

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Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.

Getting to Quebec Canada:

Compare and book flights here*. (Advertisement) Quebec City also has its own airport. You can then rent a car from there or continue your journey using public transport.

Car rental from Quebec Canada:

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Hotels in Quebec Canada:

Accommodations in and around Quebec City * For example, you can book through our partner booking.com. One Accommodation in Quebec City for slow travelers However, you can find it here.

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Do you know this?

• The Montmorency Waterfall in Quebec: Insider tips for your visit
• Ontario's beginnings in the Upper Canada Village
• A nostalgic stroll through the good old days in Upper Canada Village
• Toronto City Hall - Old and New
• A German emigrant tells
• From Montreal to Quebec City along Kings Road
• Never be speechless again: Your survival guide to the Quebec language
• Halifax Nova Scotia Canada

 

Source: own research on site. The trip took place at the invitation of Tourism Québec. We would definitely like to thank you very much for this. However, the opinions in this article remain our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photo: © Copyright by Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright by Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline