According to constructmaterials, Quebec is one of the few cities on the North American continent where a French-speaking culture has been preserved. Its historic center on the banks of the St. Lawrence River preserves the atmosphere of French port towns, and it is precisely for this atmosphere that tourists come here: rarely where else can you feel the entourage of the Old World on the territory of the New.
The city used to flourish thanks to shipbuilding and trade, but today it is known as a high-tech city, the seat of government and the “American Montmartre”. A significant plus of Quebec is the music festivals that are held in the city throughout the year.
How to get to Quebec
According to dentistrymyth, Jean Lesage International Airport receives regular flights from major cities in Canada, from New York, Detroit, Chicago and Paris, in addition, charter flights depart from it to some remote areas of the province.
The airport is 20 minutes from the center of Quebec, but you can get there or to your hotel by taxi (fare from the airport to Old Quebec – 33 CAD), or by RTC #78 bus, which runs to and from the airport several times a day. day (fare – 3.50 CAD).
By train
You can get to Quebec by train VIA Rail. Quebec-Windsor trains regularly arrive at the station, making stops in Toronto and Montreal.
There are two train stations in the city – from Quebec station you can quickly get to the hotel; public transport to the station is somewhat less frequent, so you may have to walk a bit.
By bus and car
The Terminus Gare du Palais bus station is located in the same building as the Quebec station. Intercar and Orleans Express buses arrive there, on which you can get to Quebec from anywhere in Canada.
By car, Quebec can be reached from Montreal in about three hours along Highway 40 or 20. However, if you are in no hurry, we recommend that you drive along Highway 138 – it will take longer, but the road will be much more scenic.
During the summer months, you can travel from Montreal to Quebec by boat. The ferry is slow and takes about 7 hours, but the surrounding scenery is worth it.
Public transport in Quebec
The Route Verte cycle path system passes through parks and local attractions. And the Corridor des Cheminots paths lead from Montmorency Falls to Val Belair, and then follow the Jacques Cartier park area. City bike paths run through all of Quebec and are open from April to October.
The roads of the Old City are paved with stone, so it will be quite unpleasant to drive a car along it. Most of the streets in old Quebec are one-way and it is extremely difficult to find a place to park there. Outside the Old Town, there should be no problems with a car.
Quebec has RTC buses and shuttles that can take you anywhere in the city. The ticket costs 3.50 CAD and is only valid for two hours after purchase, or you can buy a day or month pass.
Quebec Hotels
If you are looking for a budget option, you should choose Auberge de Jeunesse de la Paix – breakfast, cuisine and great location for only 20 CAD. Hotel Auberge Michel Doyon will cost a little more – 43.25 CAD per person. The hotel is located a 10-minute drive from the Old Town, close to banks, shops and restaurants.
If you plan to stay in Quebec for a long time, you should choose Résidences – Université Laval, where you will find the lowest prices for stays of 4 weeks or more – only 11 CAD per night. The charming, family-run L’Hôtel du Vieux Québec is located in the Old Town, a couple of blocks from attractions and restaurants. The cost of rooms is from 96 CAD to 266 CAD.
Auberge Quatre-Temps is quite far from the city (about 15 minutes by car), but it has a wonderful spa and a four-star restaurant le Laké. Le Château Frontenac is one of the oldest hotels on the Canadian Pacific Railway. This building, which looks like an ancient castle, which can be seen from almost anywhere in Quebec, claims to be the most photographed hotel in North America. The hotel is next to the funiculars that connect to Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville. A night in this hotel will cost at least 300 CAD, but there are often big discounts.
Restaurants and local cuisine
In many shops and markets you can find cheeses produced on the surrounding farms. Because of their superior flavor and texture, local brie and camembert are considered some of the finest cheeses in North America. In addition, you can try the traditional meat pie québecoise tourtière and poutine – fried potatoes with cheese and sauce.
If you’re interested in Quebec cuisine, stop by Aux Anciens Canadiens, where you can find a variety of traditional dishes, including buffalo, caribou and wapiti. Until 17:45 in the restaurant you can order a complex lunch; the average bill will be 20-25 CAD.
At Le Continental you will be able to taste delicious shrimp and lobster in a warm and cozy atmosphere; filet mignon that just melts in your mouth, and other French dishes. Quite pricey – but definitely worth it.
Le Petit Coin Latin serves excellent breakfasts starting at 8am for only 6.25 CAD, and Casse-Crepe Breton serves delicious inexpensive pancakes, but the restaurant is quite small and there is often a queue in front of the entrance – so it’s better to go there early.
For oriental cuisine, you should go to L’Elysee Mandarin, which offers beautifully prepared traditional Chinese dishes and is decorated like a Chinese mandarin garden (the cost of a main course is about 15 CAD) or to the Japanese Samurai Restaurant Japonais with set meals from 9.95 CAD.
Entertainment and attractions of Quebec
In the exposition of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec, located in Battlefields Park, you can also find works by Canadian masters from different periods, in addition, exhibitions of works by European and American artists are often held there. One of the museum’s two pavilions is an old Quebec prison. Admission is free to view the permanent exhibition, 20 CAD for adults during the exhibitions. Website: https://www.mnbaq.org
The Citadel (La Citadelle) is the wall surrounding the Old City. At 10 am there is a changing of the guard and, if the weather permits, you can look at the guards in funny fur hats. Observatoire de la Capitale is one of the tallest buildings in Quebec, where for 14.75 CAD you can see the panorama of the entire city. Website: http://www.observatoire-capitale.com.
Place-Royale is the place where Samuel de Champlain landed in 1608, who founded the first French settlement in North America, which has now turned into a beautiful square. Don’t miss the huge frescoes on the neighboring building.
In the Museum of Civilization you can see exhibits that tell about different peoples of the world. It will be a great replacement for the Museum of History if it seems boring to you. The cost of the entrance ticket is 11 CAD. Website: https://www.mcq.org.
You can also explore the Old Town on a horse-drawn carriage and take the ferry to Levi, which offers stunning views of the lower part of the old town and Chateau Frontenac. In the winter in Quebec, you can ski in the Plains of Abraham. In winter, an ice skating rink is flooded in Valcartier Villages Vacances, and a water park opens there in summer.
Developments
The winter carnival is held in the first week of February. Every year, a huge ice palace is built in Place Jacques-Cartier, which is the center of the whole event. During this week there is an international ice sculpture competition, canoe racing, snow swimming and three parades in different parts of the city.
In mid-July, the eleven-day Festival d’été begins, a music festival held in the Old Town, featuring not only local performers, but guest performers from all over the world. For 45 CAD you can buy a badge that will serve as a pass for all 11 days.
From Thursday to Sunday, from the beginning of June to the end of August, Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand is an amazing jazz and blues festival. On the first weekend of August, the New France Festival is held, and at the end of August, the Quebec International Military Band Festival.
Weather in Quebec
The climate in Quebec is extremely harsh. In winter, a huge amount of snow falls and, although the temperature at the beginning of winter rarely drops below -15C, from January to March it often reaches -40C.
Spring is very short, summer comes almost immediately and the temperature rises to + 35C with a humidity of 80-90%. So the best time to visit Quebec is in autumn, when it is warm, dry and sunny.
