Experience Old Québec by Foot with Us

We wandered around Old Québec for a few days and could not believe how beautiful everything is. Between the architecture to the French Canadian cuisine to its people– there is a lot to offer. On top of that, the city is easy to explore by foot!

But before that, let’s chat a bit about our pre- experience…

When Tyler and I traveled to Canada (May 2022) for the first time, we had to go through a whole covid security process. I am not sure that this will happen again, but you never know! *Health and travel restrictions to fly to Canada include: Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land, or water. Submit it to the ArriveCAN app, among other requirements. If there are any more requirements, you’ll see them when you book your travel. Oh! For the Covid test, we brought the at-home tests and scheduled our appointment in advance here.

We recommend you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure for international flights. Check if your destination has travel restrictions. If your destination requires specific travel documents, remember to bring a completed copy with you to the airport.

www.aa.com

01. Covid-19 Restrictions, travel light

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Tyler travels on “I want to be there as soon as the flight is there.” I travel “I want to give myself time to settle, and grab snacks and water before the flight.” Which traveler are you?

We did not arrive three hours before the international flight. And it did not help my case that we traveled light. So we got there super close to the leaving time. AND the Uber was late to drive us to ORD (Chicago International Airport), so my anxiety was high.

02. Transportation in Quebec City

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Onto other things- transportation in Canada. Uber is not a thing in Québec City. I know, I probably just burst your bubble. I would either coordinate a driver from the hotel you are at if they have one or just take a taxi. They do take credit card, so make sure you let your credit card company you’re traveling. It was actually affordable to do it too.

While we are discussing credit cards, also contact your phone company if you want to use it outside the country. I had Verizon, so my instructions were to have all updates done prior, turn phone off and on. Head to settings, cellular data, and turn data roaming on. Canada is included in my plan because it is not considered international in most plans.

Yes, the town is old, but it is beautiful.

Did you know, Québec is the 9th most walkable large city in Canada (with a Walk Score of 45). And to add to the nerd point, Québec City may be better if you want a charming old town experience, all the major attractions in one place, and a festive winter holiday. So know that I’ll be back! Especially since the poutine, maple taffy, beavertails, crepes and seafood are incredible here.

Let’s start at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

It’s a grand hotel built by the railway companies in the 1800’s and added as a National Historic Site in 1981. I love that it is also the world’s most photographed hotel!! It was built in 1893 and you will feel a classy touch of the historic Europe.

We had a mini photoshoot because I do not know when the next time I would be able to come again with Tyler’s schedule and all. He definitely judged me and my new tripod too, because we did not have someone taking photos. I also have a little tripod, but completely forgot that one. And of course, he wanted to rush the fun, but at least I got some shots out of him.

Quartier Petit Champlain

The cobbled streets of Vieux-Québec makes it the oldest commercial avenue in all of North America dating back to the 17th century.

Its name is mostly for the strip of shops and restaurants closest to the water, below the Terrasse Dufferin (which you’ll see later in the post). It is like a whole other town called “Lower Town.”

La Boutique de Noël de Québec

I love a good Christmas shop. Once you enter, you see a whole placement of nutcrackers, in which I wanted to take all of them with me. As you walk through the shop, there are ALL KINDS of ornaments, ranging from characters to mascots to other cities with different types of wood or ornament style material. Then there’s an upstairs with fake Christmas trees and village sets.

I do not know if we were more fascinated with how many items they had or the type that we wanted to ship over.

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

I do not want to give too much of the indoor art away, but it was truly breathtaking. A feature to celebrate is its remarkable acoustics and grand organ. People come from all over the world just to attend church here.

The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec is the primatial church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Québec. It is the oldest church in Canada and was the first church in Canada to be elevated to the rank of minor basilica, by Pope Pius IX in 1874.

Bottom Right: The Holy Door is a real door, in the wall of the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, on the north side of the Cathedral. The Holy See granted Notre-Dame de Québec a privilege when allowing its construction to take place.

*Disclaimer: The church is currently under construction but is set to be completed in 2023.

National Historic Site

Artillery Park

In the heart of Québec City, the history in this site dates back 250 years. It used to function as a munitions factory in the early 1960’s. Through the French, British, and Canadian military histories, we learn to appreciate the architecture on-site and learn to walk in those soldiers’ shoes.

It’s a self-guided tour through the park and there are signs on each stop.

Terrasse Dufferin

This terrace wraps around the boardwalk towards the Citadelle, overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The space has a cute cable car, that apparently closes during the winter, so we could not ride it. It is called Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec and it is only 4 CAD$, which is basically USD $3.11. Tyler preferred walking down the stairs, so here we are.

La Fresque des Québécois

Also known as the Québec City Mural. So there is a statue in the boardwalk with a man named Samuel Champlain, who is also in the mural. It is from 1608 and because no one knew what he looked like, they completely made him up visually. They took an image of an Italian man to make it look like a French man.

Royal Battery

The Battery is named in honor of Louis XIV, the French King who financed its construction. Its form allowed soldiers to spot ships sailing up the river. The platform was designed to accommodate the battery of cannons needed to defend the city. Under the English Regime, the Royal Battery was first altered to make way for a commercial wharf, and was then gradually replaced by successive constructions and fill work. Unearthed during archeological digs, the Battery was restored in 1977 and re-inaugurated the following year. To mark the city’s 370th anniversary, the French government gave ten pieces of 1733 artillery to the Royal Battery as a gift.

Québec Cite: Royal Battery

Place Royale

Where Samuel de Champlain founded the City of Québec in 1608. With buildings that combine French and British influences and the oldest stone church in North America, the square has a charm all its own. A few steel and glass structures reflect current 21st century trends. The perfectly restored houses that surround Place Royale have become restaurants with patios and stores that sell souvenirs, crafts, and more.

This is the precise location is the first permanent French settlement in the Americas. Erected in 1608, his first structures were a fort, store, trading post, and residence all rolled into one. That’s why Place Royal is considered the cradle of French North America. The varied architecture reflects the successive periods of French and British colonization.

Quebec Cite: Place Royale

Other spots we were recommended but did not have a chance to arrive to:

• La Citadelle de Québec 
  • Tours martello
  • Domaine Steinbach – Cidrerie, Gîte et Verger
  • Microbrasserie de l’Île d’Orléans – Pub le Mitan
• Plaines d’Abraham

Meanwhile…

We had so much fun walking through history and discovering what makes Québec City its own. We were even able to get some history in the food tour we did, and oddly enough, in most of the menus at the restaurants we visited. While the food was spectacular, we found ourselves getting lost in these cobbled stones and immersing ourselves with the culture the French-Canadians had to offer.

We WILL be back!

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