- Destinations
- North America
- Canada
- Quebec City
Quebec City
Small cafés and cosy restaurants, charming boutiques, lively
terraces, elegant squares, theatres and museums, street buskers and
mimes all contribute to the charm and ambience of historic Old
Quebec, cradle of French civilisation in North America and still
predominantly European in spirit. Perched on top of Cap Diamant,
overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Quebec City was first settled
by the French in 1608, named from a native Algonquin word meaning
'where the river narrows'. The cultured ambience, lively spirit,
high safety rating, and a comfortable blend of past and present
make this provincial capital city worthy of its status as one of
the top destinations in the world.
Despite having been ceded to the British in 1759, the city's
population of more than half a million are today 95 percent
French-speaking, lending a definite 'joie de vivre' and culture to
the atmosphere. About four million visitors are drawn to Quebec
City each year, to savour this French charm, the famed Quebec
gourmet scene, and the beauty of the historic Old City where
winding cobbled streets are lined with 17th and 18th century stone
houses and churches, bewitching parks, elegant squares, and
numerous monuments. The city is included on UNESCO's World Heritage
List and is one of the only fortified cities in the Americas.
Many interesting sights and tourist attractions in Quebec City
are located in the walled Old Town on top of the hill, including
dozens of small shops and boutiques and attractive historical
buildings. There are also interesting neighbourhoods to explore in
the more modern Upper Town and Lower Town, which are connected by
stairs. The Old Town is compact and easily walkable. If you get
tired or cannot navigate the steep stairs between Upper Town and
Lower Town, take a scenic ride in the Funiculaire, or hire one of
many horse-drawn carriages for a quaint view of the historic
sights.
There are many things to see and do in Quebec City, Visit the
National Museum of the Arts, the Franco-American Museum, or the
Capital Observatory, which is one of the tallest buildings in
Quebec and offers panoramic views of the city. You can take a ferry
to Lévis, which offers memorable views of the Chateau Frontenac and
the Old Town, or take a sunset cruise on the St Lawrence River.
Children will enjoy a visit to the Chocolate Museum, or a spin
around the ice rink in Old Town. Villages Vacances Valcartier has
waterslides and go-karting in the summer.
Just a few kilometres from downtown, the surrounding nature of
Quebec City presents numerous opportunities for outdoor activities
and recreation, like horseback riding, canoeing, hiking and
skiing.
Information & Facts
Climate
Summer is undoubtedly the best time in Quebec City, unless you
are specifically after enjoying a cold, white winter. June, July,
August, September and October are the only months of the year when
the city is free of snow, with the annual average snowfall
measuring 14 feet (4m). It has been known to snow right up to early
May. Temperatures drop well below freezing from late November to
early April, exacerbated by a strong wind chill. Summer days, by
contrast, are usually pleasantly warm and sunny, ideal for outdoor
activities. Summer nights can be cool though. The city usually
revels in an 'Indian Summer' for a few weeks in early October,
making autumn another popular season for visiting.
Getting Around
Walking is the easiest and most effective way to explore the
compact Old City of Quebec, where most of the sightseeing
opportunities are. Many visitors also enjoy hiring a bicycle and
making the most of the city's system of cycle paths. If you prefer
to save your feet, take a bus. Public buses are run by the Reseau
de transport de la Capitale (RTC), operating between 6am and 1am
(there are a limited number of night buses at weekends). Tickets
are bought on boarding with exact change or in advance from
newsagents, which is cheaper. Transfers are free if a transfer slip
is obtained on the first bus. One-day passes, valid for two, can be
bought at weekends. Taxis can be hired at ranks and the airport,
ordered by telephone, or hailed in the street in the centre of the
city.
Language
The official languages are English and French
(predominantly in Quebec).
Money
The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), which is divided
into 100 cents. One-dollar coins are also known as loonies (due to
the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar
coins as toonies. Banks and bureaux de change will change money and
travellers cheques, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be
as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are
plentiful. US Dollars are largely accepted, though due to fraud,
larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian
dollars.
Time
Canada covers six time zones, from GMT 8 in the west to GMT
-3.5 in the east.