Do you long for the historic charm of Europe but don’t want to travel overseas during the pandemic? Put Quebec City on your bucket list. If you want to experience European charm and historic architecture, Quebec City is a great travel destination.
Quebec City is a great destination for European charm and historic architecture.
Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and offers visitors the best of all worlds – a slice of European culture, historic architecture, a sophisticated cosmopolitan city, all without the rigors of overseas travel. The historic Old Quebec has cobblestone streets with 400-year-old architecture and a vibrant French-speaking culture. This part of Canada was originally named New France and still remains very European.
A Unique Claim to Fame
The city is notable for being the only fortified city in North America whose 400-year old city walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the city’s fortified walls, which cover about 3 miles, you’ll learn about Quebec City’s storied history and the historic battles between France and the British over this hallowed ground — a strategic piece of geography.
Quebec City boasts the only fortified walls in North America, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A mural in the old city depicts Quebec City’s 400-years of history.
Next to Place-Royale is a centerpiece of any Quebec City walking tour — a mural in the trompe-l’œil style illustrates Québec City’s 400-year history and pays homage to several notable figures. In 1999, it was painted in awe-inspiring realism by 12 French and Québec artists over a 9-week period. Don’t miss it.
Anywhere you wander throughout Quebec City, you can’t miss the imposing Chateau Frontenac which gracefully overlooks the entire city. The views from the famed Chateau Frontenac, which claims to be one of the world’s most photographed hotels, open to a vast panorama of the city’s topography – the picturesque fortified walls winding around the hilly plains that recede into the banks of the St. Lawrence River – a stunning sight which will make you forget you’re not in Europe!
The famed Chateau Frontenac (above and below) is situated within Quebec City’s fortified walls.
Pedestrian-friendly Neighborhoods
Wander through Petit-Champlain, one of the oldest shopping streets in North America, and notably the first French settlement in North America. The cobblestone streets and city squares evoke the charm of any European town or village.
Within the walls of Old Quebec is the charming Petit-Champlain shopping district.
You can discover many of the city’s neighborhoods by walking but weather permitting, you can take advantage of àVélo, the city’s e-bike program. There are several lively neighborhoods to discover, all with their own distinct character.
You’ll want to be sure to visit the Plains of Abraham, an enormous urban park, that was the site of an epic battle. In September 1759 an historic battle between the French and the British determined Canada’s future — the British were the victors. Canada remained a British territory until 1867 when it finally became its own country.
Our cousins to the north are warm and welcoming to year-round visitors. Even winter weather is celebrated here.
The historic fortified walls are a romantic backdrop for ice skating, a favorite winter activity for residents.
A Gastronome’s Delight
As one of Canada’s cultural capitals, Québec City is also an outstanding Canadian culinary capital, or as they call it, a “gastronomic” capital.
The city comes by its gastronomic rep honestly; after all, Quebec was a French outpost until the battle on the Plains of Abraham in 1759. Although it was ultimately won by the British, Quebec has clung to its French origins. The French language, the rich cultural/historical heritage, and its culinary traditions are still passionately embraced by Québécois. If you are a Francophile with a fondness for French cuisine, you’ll love Quebec City.
A farm on Île d’Orléans, a nearby island devoted to a variety of artisanal products.
The farm-to-table approach to cuisine is not a trend, it’s a way of life for Québécois. Located less than five miles from the old town center, Île d’Orléans is an island devoted to farming which has developed into a robust area for agri-tourism. The island’s bountiful harvest provides the region and local chefs with fruit and vegetables, abundant fish, small game animals, honey, maple products, dairy products, poultry, fresh herbs and more.
But you don’t need to travel to Île d’Orléans to shop for the freshest products. In the downtown core, you can find Le Grand Marché, a lively marketplace that features more than 100 local purveyors of fresh produce, cheese, bread, meat, fowl, plus relishes, jams, and preserves.
You can find a bounty of specialty jam, jellies, and preserves at Le Grand Marche perfect for gifts to take home.
If you do venture to the island, you’ll discover Île d’Orléans’ long history of agribusiness which dates back several centuries with the area’s first farming families. Tours are available to the island that offer various tastings along the way. One such stop we made was to an artisanal cheese-making factory that is preserving the oldest cheese in America which has its roots in Champagne, France. Magnifique!
With rich history, culinary excellence, old-world charm and sophisticated cultural offerings, Quebec City offers an enticing travel experience on “this side of the pond.”
I have wished to visit Quebec since 1965, and instead have travelled the world. It's time to plan a trip to our 'local' French culture. Thank you for your gorgeous pictures and interesting descriptions.