Quebec is one of the most beautiful cities in North America. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, this fortified city has a rich history, architecture and culture, which can be discovered and enjoyed on foot.
Old Quebec The Old City is one of the most popular areas for both tourists and locals, not only because of its charm but also because of its many restaurants, pubs, hotels and boutiques. St-Jean Street is the main entrance to the Old City. This street is at the heart of the social and cultural life of the city, with Place d'Youville and the Palais Montcalm Theatre on the south side and Le Capitole hotel on the north. During the summer months, Place d'Youville is a stage for performing artists, and once the weather gets cold, people of all ages ice skate here to classical music!
A little further down is the historic St-Jean Gate, where one can find many small shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants. The Magasin General L.P. Blouin, an old-time general store specializing in souvenirs and collectibles, is a popular stop. Restaurants and pubs abound, but the Pub Saint-Alexandre , Au Petit Coin Breton , the Brûlerie Tatum and, of course, the famous Serge Bruyère are among the best.
City Hall is on Côte-de-la-Fabrique, where the strip of restaurants and boutiques continues. This street leads to the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the Petit Seminaire de Quebec and the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Quebec. The Rue du Tresor, where local artists show and sell their works, is a few steps away and leads to the Château Frontenac and the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk. A stroll on the boardwalk is a must, for the splendid views of the St Lawrence River, the Laurentian Mountains and the Île d'Orleans. The boardwalk also features street entertainers in the summer and two great ice slides in the winter.
Place Royale and Vieux-Port The Terrace ends with long stairs on both sides: one set goes down to the Vieux-Port and Place Royale , the most picturesque area of Quebec, built in 1608 and abounding in restaurants, antique shops, art galleries and boutiques. Place Royale is not as busy as the Old City but just as fascinating. The wonderful Laurie-Raphaël , Cafe du Monde , Peche Veniel and L'Inox bar are located in the Vieux-Port area.
Plains of Abraham The other set of stairs goes up to the Plains of Abraham . It can be quite a workout on a hot summer day but the view is worth the effort. The Plains of Abraham are at the heart of Quebec City's history. Although nowadays it looks more like a beautiful place to have a family picnic, it is the site of a bloody 1759 battle between the French and the English. Several plaques describe the battle and explain its significance to Quebec's history. The Martello Towers, which were built to counter the British invaders, are strategically located on the Plains and are open to the public.
On the east end of the Plains, the Musee du Quebec is home to an interpretive center about the battlefields, and also hosts numerous art exhibits throughout the year. The Plains are a rendezvous for joggers, rollerbladers, soccer players in the summer and cross-country skiers and tobogganers in the winter. This is also where people gather for the annaul St-Jean-Baptiste celebrations, the Summer Festival and the Winter Carnival.
St-Louis Street and the Grande Allee St-Louis Street runs parallel to St-Jean Street and is equally filled with restaurants and boutiques. Aux Anciens Canadiens is an interesting restaurant for those with a taste for traditional Quebec cuisine. In this 17th century house, the wait staff dresses as the first habitants of the colony did and customers can enjoy some of Quebec's classics—tourtière, for example.
Further west is the entrance to the Citadel , a protective fort located on Cap-aux-Diamants. Every day in the summer, troops perform the changing of the guard according to pure military tradition, and The Citadel also has a fascinating museum. The Parliament Buildings are located on the corner of St-Louis Street and Dufferin Avenue, across from the Plains of Abraham. The design is quite interesting, as the architect, Eugène-Étienne Tache, was inspired by the Louvre Museum in Paris. The results are splendid French Renaissance buildings, which are open for the public to discover.
St-Louis Street becomes the Grande-Allee west of the Parliament Buildings. The Grande-Allee is synonymous with entertainment. This is where most of the clubs in the city are located, and there are also plenty of restaurants. In summer, the establishments open their terraces and people go from one club to the other, dancing the night away.
Rene-Levesque Boulevard and Cartier Street Parallel to the Grande-Allee but further south is Rene-Levesque Boulevard. This is where Quebec's Grand Theâtre and Music Conservatory are located. A few blocks West is Cartier Street, another popular entertainment and dining district. With restaurants like Graffiti , Le Cochon Dingue, Mon Manège à toi , Cafe Krieghoff and Momento, this area is a haven for great dining.
Suburbs There are many suburbs around Quebec, and most of them are much more than bedroom communities. In the West end, Sainte-Foy has several great restaurants like Cactus , Nupur and La Faim de Loup , while Le Clap movie theatre specializes in international films.
On the St Lawrence River, Beauport's picturesque Royale Avenue leads to the Montmorency Falls . The majestic Île d'Orleans, an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River with orchards, farms, charming inns and traditional cuisine, is like having the country in the city. The great outdoors is just a short drive from the Old City—that's the beauty of Quebec. From fascinating historic buildings to amazing dining and entertainment, powerful rivers and breathtaking mountains and forests, you can have it all.
