Quebec City, Canada, located along the St. Lawrence River, has many attractions including Vieux-Quebec, Notre-Dame Basilica, Château Fronetnac, the Citadel, Place-Royale, Parc des Champs-de-bataille, Hôtel du Parlement, Ile d’Orléans, and Montmorency Falls.
Beautiful Quebec City in the Providence of Quebec, Canada sits along the St. Lawrence River. There are so many attractions in Quebec City that it’s hard to determine what to see first. Rich history and majestic landscapes are just a few of the area’s many attractions.
Vieux-Quebec – or Old Town Quebec – sits atop Cap Diamant. Cap Diamant is a rocky promontory which originally served as a military defense for the city. Vieux-Quebec is still partially surrounded by fortress walls. In fact, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 due to the uniqueness of the wall: it is the only walled city north of Mexico.
Similarly, the Notre-Dame Basilica is the oldest Catholic parish north of Mexico. It was bombed, rebuilt and restored during its existence, which dates back to 1647. 900 people are buried in the crypt of the Basilica, including four governors of New France. There is also an organ concert at the Basilica on the first Sunday of each month.
Château Fronetnac is the most famous of all Quebec City attractions. It is an 1893 hotel that reminds visitors of a spectacular castle with many beautiful turrets. In fact, it’s a version of a palace found in France’s Loire Valley. Tours are always available for visitors; however, advance reservations are recommended.
The Citadel is one of Quebec City’s many military-inspired attractions. It is a star-shaped fortress built by the Duke of Wellington to defend against potential American attacks after the War of 1812. Tours take the public through the Citadel and the twenty-five buildings around the campus. Some of the other buildings include the prison and powder magazine, both now museums. Visitors can also watch the changing of the guard at the Citadel.
The Place-Royale, or Royal Square, is one of the attractions of Quebec City that forms its heart and soul. It was the center of the town in the 1600s and 1700s. Now, dances and popular festivals abound at any time of the year. There is also a bust of King Louis XIV in the center of the square.
Parc des Champs-de-bataille, or Plains of Abraham, is a large urban park of 267 acres (108 ha). It has two Martello towers made of stone and designed to defend the city. It also has bike paths, picnic areas and a stage for summer concerts. It also offers visitors the chance to stroll through an art museum where most of Quebec’s painters and sculptors were born. For example, Jean-Paul Riopelle has a permanent exhibition at the museum. The museum was built in 1933 and the newer construction includes a reception area, gift shop and tasty café.
Another of Quebec City’s exquisite attractions is the Hôtel du Parlement. It houses the National Assembly and can be visited with a guide or on your own. The Musée de la Civilization is an attraction not to be missed. It has amazing displays, hands-on exhibits, holograms, videos, and everything in between. Dragons, ants, cinema and murders are just some of the topics covered.
For those who want to venture beyond the city limits of Quebec City, Ile d’Orléans is only 10km away. It was inhabited by Native American Indians and then settled by the French as a trading post. It is isolated from the mainland; thus, only about 16 people currently live there. It is relatively unchanged and is an agricultural area. Hence, historic homes and fruit stands are the norm.
Just 7 miles (11 km) from Quebec City is Montmorency Falls. They are 272 feet (83 m) tall, taller than the famous Niagara Falls. At night during the summer, they are lit up for a real photo opportunity.
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