1. Old World Charm of Old Quebec City
What if I told you there’s a way to visit France without having to cross the Atlantic Ocean? Do you like quaint little villages and French food? Look to your north…way north, about an inch on the map from Lake Placid, New York or Bangor, Maine. Old Quebec City, in the Canadian Province of Quebec is the place you’re looking for. The historic French colony sits near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, the gateway to the Great Lakes.
Just like New York City in New York, there’s Quebec City in Quebec. Overlooking the western bank of the St. Lawrence, Old Quebec City sits surrounded by an imposing two-hundred-year-old citadel and fort, complete with massive stone walls and entry gates. Just beyond the canon bastion a boardwalk and promenade span the waterfront offering especially scenic views of the river and old shipping port.
2. Historic Buildings Are Everywhere
Like a mythical stone castle, the Victorian-style Chateau Frontenac looms over the boardwalk and old town. It’s worth a walk-through even if you can’t afford to stay there, just to see the varnished mahogany wood and polished brass in the bar and restaurant that overlooks the river. It was modeled after famous chateaus in France’s Loire Valley, and built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1893.
The Petit Champlain Quarter is within walking distance, as is most of the walled city. The European-style square is ringed by specialty boutiques, a sixteenth-century church, as well as some of the oldest houses in North America. Shops and bars and restaurants have been tastefully built into two-hundred-year-old buildings.
Any place inside the walls of Old Quebec City is walkable. Cobbled streets, stone staircases and even a funicular take you from sea level to the town’s highest points. Scattered among the unique shops and eateries are beautiful wall murals. One, in particular, is like a big window, offering a look at the century-old businesses that operated inside the multi-story building.
3. French Food Is a Must
Sampling the local fare is one of my favorite things to do when exploring someplace new, and because of my French heritage I eagerly anticipated trying some Old Quebec City specialties. We found a quaint Airbnb just inside the main gate. Undeniably, a perfect location from which to venture out on foot to check out the neighborhood. Our first walk ended quickly. We literally stumbled over a sandwich board on the sidewalk advertising the BE Club Bistro Bar.
A peek in the window led to poking our heads in the door. The aged patina of natural wood beams and hand-carved stone walls basically drew us in. It was perfect, and besides the bartender we were the only two people in the place. Menus sat on simple wooden clipboards and a chalkboard had the daily specials scratched onto it. The bistro offered four local craft beers, two of which suited us perfectly. For our first taste of Old Quebec City we ordered the poutine.
Poutine to Remember
I don’t usually eat poutine at home, mostly because of the crappy ingredients used by short-order cooks who don’t know what they’re doing. After tasting the BE Club Bistro’s poutine I’ll probably never eat it anywhere else again. They used crispy and plump hand-cut fries with generous portions of Montreal Smoked Meat and local cheese curds. My wife had to pull the plate away from me so I wouldn’t eat more than my share. We both had food orgasms.
We loved the bistro so much we went back on at least two more occasions for other delicacies like Foie Gras, maple-glazed salmon with risotto, and French bread pudding with local vanilla ice cream on top. The bartender let me snoop around and I found an amazing stone and glass wine cellar in the basement. There are plenty of other good restaurants in Old Quebec City and I tried a traditional meat pie at one of them, but it wasn’t as good as what my meme used to make.
4. Old Quebec City has Amazing Citadel and Fortifications
The massive stone wall that surrounds the old town is worth seeing up close and climbing on. There are stairways and access points at the city gates and along the wall itself. Walking along the top of the fortifications offers views of the inner city and the riverfront below. Canon bastions once used to protect the colony are positioned in strategic places around the wall. No matter which direction you walk, you’ll eventually come to the old fort (citadel). Tours are available if you wish to see what military life was like two centuries earlier.
Additionally, there are plenty of things to do outside the old town like river cruises and as well as an impressive waterfall nearby. There was a JazzFest that was just setting up on the day we left. Tickets included five different stage areas in and outside the walled city where you could enjoy world-class entertainment.
5. Check Out the Street Life
Communication was not a problem in Old Quebec City. English is widely spoken to tourists and there are plenty of free Wi-Fi hot spots. The locals are generally helpful and friendly. If you’re from the U.S. your American dollars undeniably trade at a healthy premium to the Canadian currency. Charge cards are widely accepted everywhere.
Strolling along the cobblestone streets lined with old stone churches, neatly painted houses and colorful flower boxes, you’ll swear you’re in a European village. There are walking and sightseeing tours inside the old city and out, but to get a real feel for the old-world charm try to get lost on foot. Sooner or later you’ll run into the wall and find your way home.
Experience French Culture in Old Quebec City
There is no excuse to miss Old Quebec City, eh? It’s a walled city and can’t get any safer, your American money is like gold, and you get a chance to experience French culture and especially tasty food without traveling to France. Bon Voyage!
If you enjoyed this travel blog post you can read more from Edmond Gagnon at: www.edmondgagnon.com
27 Comments. Leave new
I have never been to Canada but I am going this coming year for a trade show in June in Toronto. I realize Toronto is Canada light but I am still looking forward to it. Quebec has always been on my list of places to visit. I’m not a fan of the cold anymore so it would have to be during the warm season though Christmastime must be beautiful as well. The architecture and sheer history seem like so much to take in.
Toronto is a great city too, Scott, lots of great neighborhoods, pubs and restaurants.
I went to Quebec City right before New Years 2018. Unbelievably cold, but the snow-filled streets were beautiful. Seeing the entire river frozen was very impressive, too. You’re absolutely that you don’t have to cross the Atlantic to visit France. Quebec City captures that perfectly.
I couldn’t agree more, Tyler. I live in Canada and wouldn’t normally venture that far north in the winter. Good for you. Come back in the summer if you get the chance.
What a beautiful city this is. Such charm and so well kept – it does actually look more like a place in Europe, rather than Canada. I would love to visit and explore this while trying the delicacies you have highlighted. I am planning a trip to Canada next year and with any luck, we will be able to drop in for a visit.
I truly hope you make it, Nicole. Old Montreal is great too if you get up that way. Kingston and the Thousand Islands is a unique and cool area too.
Old Quebec City looks really beautiful! I love the cute village buildings. It would be so much fun to wander around and take it all in. Very pretty!
Yes, Kelly, it’s a great place to leave your vehicle and explore on foot. So many hidden treasures to be found.
Old Quebec Here I Come. I love the photos. the City looks beautiful.
Thanks, you’ll love the old walled city. I promise.
Old Quebec City looks like an amazing place to visit. It’s great to experience the old buildings, citadel, and fortifications.
It is quite amazing, Norma, to see such a piece of history preserved.
I would surely visit Quebec. It’s such a lovely place had no idea. I love the old charm cities.
It truly is a unique city, Subhashish Roy, with some of the oldest buildings in North America. Put it on your bucket list.
Oh wow what a lovely place for sure. some great piccys of a characterful and quaint place xx
Thanks, Melanie, if you want more on Quebec City check my website @ http://www.edmondgagnon.com, in the travel category.
it looks so very beautiful! i do hope I will get to explore Canada one day!
It’s quite a ways north, Lyosha, but definitely worth a visit if you get up that way.
I love Europe so I’m sure I would love it here. And I’ve never had poutine but it sounds amazing!
Yes, you would, Kara. Be sure to put it on your bucket list.
I haven’t gone to Canada yet but i will, got a cousin leaving in Ottawa. Now seeing your photos from Quebec made me wanna visit him even more since those cities are so near! Gorgeous!
Call your cousin, daphne, the two cities are close (considering the size of Canada), and Ottawa is cool with a lot of history and great pedestrian areas. Quebec City is truly unique though, especially the walled-in old city. It’s a must-see if you ever get up that way.
I’d love to visit, and the amazing poutine would definitely be a great bonus! I have to visit next time I’m in Canada
Good idea, Thuy, you won’t be disappointed.
Quebec City sounds like a great place to visit. Hopefully, my family and I can someday and explore all those exciting areas.
I hope so too, Lyanna, it’s great to explore.
Quebec has so much to offer to tourists. This was really convincing article. I would love to visit someday.