Québec City

Around Québec City

Photo: Wilfredor · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Quebec · 839k people

Québec City

“La Vieille Capitale”

Old-world charm on the St. Lawrence

Québec City blueCoat of arms gold

Join the room Ask the neighbours

Bienvenue à Québec! Whether you're here for the history, the food, or the festivals, this city has a way of making you feel at home. Grab a poutine, walk the old streets, and join the conversation.

Clubs for Québec City

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The room

One room for everyone around Québec City. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Québec City. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Château Frontenac Iconic hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
  • Plains of Abraham Historic park and site of the 1759 battle, now a green space.
  • Montmorency Falls Waterfall higher than Niagara, with a suspension bridge.
  • Île d'Orléans Rural island with farms, wineries, and historic villages.
  • Parliament Building Seat of the National Assembly of Quebec.
  • Citadelle of Quebec Star-shaped fortress, still an active military installation.
  • Outdoors Walk the fortifications
  • Outdoors Hike in Plains of Abraham
  • With kids Visit the Aquarium du Québec
  • With kids Ice skate at Place d'Youville
  • Evenings Bars on Grande Allée
  • Evenings Live music at the Grand Théâtre
  • Locals love Casse-croûte diners
  • Locals love Sugar shacks (cabane à sucre)

Through the year

  • Carnaval de Québec February Winter carnival with ice sculptures, parades, and outdoor activities.
  • Festival d'été de Québec July Major summer music festival with international and local acts.
  • New France Festival August Historical reenactment and street performances in the old town.
  • Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec September UCI WorldTour cycling race through the city streets.
  • Quebec City Marathon May Road race with scenic routes along the St. Lawrence.

Quebec City has four distinct seasons: cold, snowy winters; mild, rainy springs; warm, pleasant summers; and crisp, colorful autumns. The best time to be out is summer for festivals and fall for foliage. Best: Summer (June–August) and early fall (September–October) are ideal for outdoor activities and festivals.

Talk like a local

“Casse-croûte”
Snack bar or diner serving fast food.
“Cabane à sucre”
Sugar shack, a maple syrup farm restaurant.
“Terrasse”
Outdoor patio or terrace seating at a café or bar.
“Vieux”
The old town, often used as shorthand for Vieux-Québec.

Getaways

Local flavour

Teams

  • Remparts de Québec QMJHL
  • Capitales de Québec Frontier League
  • Rouge et Or (Université Laval) U Sports

Eat and drink

  • Poutine Chez Ashton is a local institution.
  • Tourtière Meat pie, often served during the holidays.
  • Tarte au sucre Sugar pie, a classic dessert.
  • Maple syrup From nearby sugar shacks.
  • Cretons Pork spread, typical breakfast.
  • Chez Ashton Local poutine chain.
  • Casse-croûte Greasy spoon diners, often with poutine and burgers.

Where people go

  • Old town (Vieux-Québec) Historic district with fortifications and the Château Frontenac.
  • Fortifications The only remaining fortified city walls north of Mexico.
  • St. Lawrence Riverfront The Terrasse Dufferin and the river views.
  • Winter carnival (Carnaval de Québec) An iconic winter festival with an ice palace and Bonhomme Carnaval.
  • Sugar shacks (cabane à sucre) Maple syrup and traditional meals in the surrounding countryside.
  • Casse-croûte diners Greasy spoons serving poutine, burgers, and classic Quebec fare.

Heritage and traditions

Quebec City is proud of being the heart of French North America, with its historic walled core, the St. Lawrence River, and a fierce winter spirit embodied by the Carnaval.

This time of year in Québec City

  • Fall colours September-October Leaf-peeping in the surrounding hills.

Say it like a local: “C'est ben correct” — It's fine.

Festivals

  • Fête nationale du Québec June 24 Bonfires and concerts celebrate Quebec's patron saint on June 24.
  • Marché de Noël de Québec December German-style Christmas market with crafts and mulled wine in the old town.
  • Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec September Showcases Canadian and international films.
  • Festival d'opéra de Québec July Opera performances in historic venues.

Landmarks with a story

  • Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec The primatial church of Canada, with a rich history.
  • Monastère des Augustines A 17th-century monastery now a museum and wellness centre.
  • Séminaire de Québec Founded in 1663, a historic educational institution.
  • Morrin Centre A former prison turned library and cultural centre.
  • Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste A beautiful neo-Gothic church in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district.

Food traditions

  • Pouding chômeur A dessert of cake soaked in maple syrup, born during the Depression.
  • Oreilles de crisse Fried pork rinds served at sugar shacks.
  • Tire sur la neige Maple taffy poured on snow, a sugar shack ritual.
  • Soupe aux pois Traditional pea soup, often served with pork.
  • Fèves au lard Baked beans with molasses, a classic side dish.

Music and arts

  • Orchestre symphonique de Québec A major symphony orchestra based in Quebec City.
  • Théâtre du Trident A prominent French-language theatre company.
  • Circus arts The region's circus tradition, with roots in Cirque du Soleil.
  • Chanson traditionnelle Folk music with roots in French-Canadian storytelling.

A little history

  • 1608 1608
  • 1759 1759
  • 1763 1763
  • 1774 1774
  • 1867 1867

Rivalries

  • Rouge et Or vs. Carabins University football rivalry between Laval and Montreal.
  • Capitales vs. Aigles Frontier League baseball rivalry with Trois-Rivières.
  • Remparts vs. Saguenéens Hockey rivalry in the QMJHL.
  • Quebec City vs. Montreal A friendly rivalry over food, hockey and which city does winter better.
  • Game day Ice canoe racing across the St. Lawrence River
  • Game day Rouge et Or football games at Université Laval
  • Outdoors Snowshoeing in the Plains of Abraham
  • Outdoors Ice fishing on the St. Lawrence
  • With kids Village Vacances Valcartier
  • With kids Mega Parc

Quebec City speaks a distinct form of Canadian French, with a sing-song accent and many anglicisms.

Only here

  • The only walled city in North America north of Mexico.
  • Bonhomme Carnaval, the iconic mascot of the Winter Carnival.
  • The tradition of ice canoe racing across the St. Lawrence River.
  • The oldest French-speaking city in North America.
New here? A few tips
  • Learn basic French; locals appreciate the effort.
  • Dress warmly in winter; layers are key.
  • Try poutine and tourtière at local spots.
  • Use the ferry to Lévis for a great view.
  • Visit the old town early to avoid crowds.

Make this page better

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Nearby

Every area
LotbinièreQuebecWhere the river meets the fields, and maple runs deep.Côte-de-BeaupréQuebecWhere the river meets the mountain and faith finds a home.BellechasseQuebecWhere the St. Lawrence breeze meets maple-sweet fields.Sainte-MarieQuebecThe friendly heart of the BeauceCôte-du-SudQuebecWhere the river meets the fieldsBeauceQuebecProud heart of maple country.Thetford MinesQuebecAu cœur des AppalachesSaint-GeorgesQuebecAu cœur de la Beauce

Québec. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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