Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec in Canada with an estimated population of 806,400 (2015) in the metropolitan area. Quebec is the second-largest French-speaking city in Canada after Montreal. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America.
According to the Statistics Canada website, 94.6% of Quebec City's population speaks French as their mother tongue. In addition, more than a third of city residents can speak both French and English.
Quebec City's main sights are the Old Town and Place Royale. The Old Town upper part is surrounded by a stone wall built by both French and British armies. These areas have a distinct European feel with their stone buildings and winding streets lined with shops and restaurants.
We recommend you stay in Quebec for at list 2 nights. Main sights recommended are:
- Old Quebec. Designated a World Heritage treasure by UNESCO, Old Québec is the only walled city north of Mexico.
- Château Frontenac, a hotel which dominates the skyline and recognized as the most photographed hotel in the world.
- La Citadelle, an active military installation and official residence of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada.
- Parliament Hill the site of the Parliament Building, the most important historical site in Québec City.
- Quebec Wall. The British began refortifying the existing walls, after they took Quebec City from the French in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759.
- Place-Royale, founded in 1603 by Samuel de Champlain. Visit historic Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest stone church in North America (1688).
- Old Port, has been a hive of activity from the 19th century as one of the world's five biggest ports to its status today as a popular cruise destination.
- Petit-Champlain District. See the impressive historical architecture and cobblestone streets, making it one of the most popular attractions in the city.
- Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, located only 20 minutes from Québec City, welcomes almost a million visitors annually.
- Montmorency Falls Park. The beautiful waterfalls are 83 m (272') tall, a full 30 m (99') higher than Niagara Falls.
See more tourist information on Quebec City including sights, hotels, etc.
