This is the tourist center in Québec, both for the history and the modern-day ambiance that comes…read morewith the restaurants, patios, and shops that now fill the historic structures. Place-Royale is widely considered to be the birthplace of the French colony and French North America. It stands on the site of Québec's actual foundation, the spot where, in 1608, Samuel de Champlain erected a fur trading post that soon grew into the capital of French America. Named in honor of Louis XIV whose bust adorns it, Place Royale is the largest surviving ensemble of 17th- and 18th-century buildings in North America. During the 17th and 18th centuries, this area of Old Québec acted as the French colony's center of business and industry, supporting a thriving marketplace and housing many wealthy merchants. While exploring this quaint area, you'll come across several notable tributes to its French Colonial past, like- - including a striking bust of Louis XIV (one of France's most famous kings), - the Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America, - as well as the Fresque des Québécois, which illustrates 400 years of the city's history. In summer, the area is home to outdoor dining areas. In winter, the snow transforms the old streets and stone buildings into a postcard-perfect scene. This is a beautiful area to wander through in the day or evening and at any time of year. Restroom: if you need one, there is a very clean and spacious restroom right there at the square. Just beside the cafe [Café La Maison Smith Notre-Dame], it's there. see attached photo.

CRADLE OF NORTH AMERICA…read more We visited Place Royale during our stroll through the Basse Ville section of Old Quebec. Known as the cradle of North America, Place Royale marks the location of the French settlement founded by Samuel de Champlain. The cobblestone square is surrounded by historic stone buildings that date back to the 1700 -1800s and were extensively restored in the 1980s. In the center of Place Royale is a bust of King Louis XIV - we later learned that the bust is a 1920s replacement of the original bust that was destroyed in a 1700s fire. Also marking Place Royale is Notre Dame des Victoires, one of the oldest stone churches in North America. We were surprised that the church was not open during our recent visit - we didn't know that after the Canada Labour Day weekend, visitor hours are shortened. We were also told that during the winter, the church is then only open on Sunday. Confirm hours before your visit. History is everywhere in Old Quebec and even plays a part in Café Maison Smith, a popular eatery next to Notre Dame des Victoires. Apparently a family named Smith owned the building for over 100 years and the bakery chain's name, Maison Smith, is a nod to the building's historical past. For a jolt forward to the present modern day, visit the EXMURO Public Art Area, a modern art gallery (free admission) that is also located on the square. The art gallery features thought-provoking installations that may push visitors out of their comfort zones. Movie Trivia: Place Royale was used as a movie location for the movie Catch Me If You Can. It stood in for a French town where Tom Hanks arrested Leonardo diCaprio.

The Fortifications de Québec National Historic Site is one of the most significant pieces of Québec…read moreCity's history. Walk through the gates and upon the ramparts and take in the gorgeous views of Old Québec. The only fortified city north of Mexico, one cannot visit Québec City without admiring the fortified walls and ramparts which were the city's defensive system built between 1608 and 1871. Today, the fortifications of Québec consist of 4 gates, 3 Martello towers, the Citadelle, and 4.6 km of ramparts, complete with cannons, which encircle Old Québec's upper town. In the more than 300 years of its history, Québec has come to possess a variety of fortifications, all of which can be explored on an hour-long circular walk. The bastions, walls, towers, gates, and countless old cannons show how well the former French colony was protected. the four and a half kilometers of defensive ramparts on the west flank of the Old City were constructed of granite and sand, the only fortifications of this kind in North America. Numerous pieces of weaponry are a constant reminder of Québec's troubled past. There are 4 gates in this fortification (enter /exit from upper Quebec) 1. St. Jean Gate 2. Kent Gate 3. Prescott Gate 4. St Louis Gate

THE FORTIFICATIONS OF QUEBEC NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE IS A PARKS CANADA WONDER…read more Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that traces its origins back to the 1600s settlement founded by Samuel de Champlain. The Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site includes the city walls, stone arch gates and buildings that were constructed to protect the city and defend the narrow strait of the St. Lawrence River. Highlights of the Fortifications include the Citadelle de Quebec and Artillery Park. Even if you are not a military history buff, you may encounter parts of the Fortifications during your vacation - such as passing under the Saint Louis Gate on your way to the Parliament Building and the Plains of Abraham. Parks Canada oversees the Fortifications and other designated historic sites and offers tours at sites such as the Citadelle. Confirm hours and fees - some activities and tours are only held during the summer high season.

Don't use the directions on Yelp. It's nearby…read more Where to start to see some of these old school. Lots of busy roads in and out of this old town. Can see the juxtaposition of old and new. Hubby wasn't keen on stopping much to walk, felt rushed to move along.

Old Quebec is amazing with such great history, food, views, and. architecture. Quebec is our…read morefavorite city we visited. Be sure to check out both the upper part of Old Quebec, the Chateau Frontenac where we stayed but can also tour, Dufferin Terrace, and Lower Town. The Citadel and Parliament are must sees as well as the Plains of Abraham (although I wish we looked around more and saw the museum) and the Museum of Civilization is amazing too

Terrasse Dufferin is a wooden boardwalk in Old Quebec City- Upper Town. It has spectacular views of…read morethe St. Lawrence River and the Le Chateau Frontenac . Along the boardwalk there are areas to sit and enjoy the views, and there were a few musicians adding to the charm. The Terrase Dufferin was built in the 1870's. The funicular entrance in Upper Town is located here. It is definately worth strolling the boardwalk and enjoying the sights.

Overlooking Old Québec from its perch just below the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Terrasse…read moreDufferin offers spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River and ofcourse, the magnificent Frontenac hotel. This elevated vantage was the original site of Fort St.-Louis, the governor's residence in colonial times. Tourists can see the ruins underneath the promenade. we were here on a weekday so faced a little crowd and it was soothing to walk on the terrace offering a great view. Formerly a military fortification, this public boardwalk still houses historic cannons. if you visit during the summer - you're bound to run into street performers and artists as you stroll along. The terrace provides incredible views over the Lower Town and the River and often hosts street musicians and other performers. Beneath the terrace, and partially viewable from viewing points are the remains of Chateau Saint-Louis, which was the offices of the French and British governors from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Dufferin Terrace is the perfect spot to take beautiful pictures. It is also here you can board the funicular that will take you down to rue du Petit-Champlain in Lower Town. The Dufferin Terrace is a great place to watch summertime fireworks displays.

The Champlain Monument on Dufferin Terrace pays tribute to the man who founded the city in 1608. It…read moreis one of the city's most spectacular landmarks, both because of its imposing size and its central location at a lively gathering place where locals and tourists come to watch street entertainers perform. Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635) was an explorer, geographer, and mapmaker who founded Québec City in 1608. In 1613, he explored the Ottawa River. he was called the 'Father of New France,' Champlain was an explorer who founded Quebec City in July 1608, made the first accurate map of the area, and worked to find the first settlements. Visitors to the monument can enjoy splendid views of the St. Lawrence River, the Lower Town, Île d'Orléans, the south shore, and the Laurentian Mountain range! This statue commemorates the 300th anniversary of Champlain's second voyage on the Ottawa River. It was erected at the same spot where Champlain made his solar observation during his expedition in 1615.

Amazing monument for the founder of Quebec City right on the Dufferin Terrace. Totally worth…read moreseeing along with the rest of the terrace and Old Quebec City.

Dominated by the majestic outline of the Parliament Building and graced by a splendid fountain in…read moreits forecourt, Parliament Hill exudes style. The spaciously laid out district, southwest of the old Upper Town, is the seat of Québec's provincial government. National Assembly and Legislative Council- these are open to the public. They would ask for some verification IDs, and you are good to visit this. The main façade is adorned with 26 bronze statues of men and women who shaped the province's history. Take a free guided tour of the building. The building can be explored by guided or unguided tours that take you through the lovely hallways, rooms, and legislative channels of the building's historic core. Its architecture, inspired by the Louvre Palace in Paris, makes it one of the only French-style institutional buildings in Québec City. It is Québec's oldest historic site and the seat of Québec's government. The building's main facade boasts 26 bronze statues erected to the memory of key historical figures Parliament Hill is located in the Upper Town, just outside the fortifications. It's home to several government buildings, the famous Plains of Abraham, and the festive section of Grande Allée. Tony Fountain is just in front of this amazing building.

The Parliament Building was completed in 1886. The front wall houses a total of 26 statues. There…read moreare two side wings each with a small tower- one consecrated to Samuel de Champlain, explorer and founder of Quebec, and the other to Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal. The tower between the two wings is named after Jacques Cartier, French explorer who named Canada. There are tours you can sign up for, but we just admired the exterior of the building and walked around the beautiful gardens. I only found out after the fact that there is a restaurant, Le Parlementaire, open to the general public for lunch M-F. The menu features produce found in the gardens. I would've made a reservation if I knew about it!

We decided to drop in for a tour here on our second visit to Quebec City, mostly just to try…read moresomething new. The tour was about an hour long and our tour guide's English was great. Plenty of jokes and interesting descriptions about the history of the place. This building was originally a jail when it was built, intended to reflect the ideology of a British man who was set on reforming prisons. Like many countries when faced with an influx of immigration, the population housed in the jail were disproportionately made up of immigrants being punished for minor offenses. It was later converted to an English-language college that didn't last very long. The building finally wound up becoming an English-language library that now serves as the English-language cultural center of Quebec City. The library is filled with artifacts as well. And that old library smell is heavenly! The tour was a little boring, but not terribly, which is the only reason I give it 4 stars. I would have liked some more photographs from that time to be displayed throughout (even though I know they're probably incredibly rare). I did find myself checking my watch, but probably because we came in starving. If you're a history buff, library nerd, or jail hobbyist (lol), definitely try to check this place out.

This was a very enjoyable tour of a building that has been through a lot in it's life. The tour of…read morethe jail and the glimpse of living conditions during Quebec's history was excellent. The library was very beautiful. Definitely worth 90 minutes of your time.

bad luck strikes again - construction work was going on and we could not get a chance to go closely…read moreand observe this... anyway Near Place Royale, right where Côte de la Montagne curves around to intersect Rue Notre Dame, is the first and probably most known mural in Quebec City. La Fresque des Québécois was completed and installed in 1999 by Cité Création and local artists. you will see a mixture of different periods of history, elements from French settlers, British settlers, and immigrant groups, along with what looks like modern-day students, shoppers & tourists. There are also several important historical figures represented. Within the mural are 16 key figures important to the history of Quebec City, including: *** Samuel de Champlain - called the 'Father of New France,' Champlain was an explorer who founded Quebec City in July 1608, made the first accurate map of the area, and worked to find the first settlements. *** Marie Guyard de l'Incarnation - a nun, declared a saint, who established the Ursuline Order and who also founded the first girls' school in the New World. *** Lord Dufferin - Governor General of Canada, he was the first to make the Citadelle of Quebec a vice-regal residence and saved the city walls from destruction. The is also the 'Dufferin' of Terrasse Dufferin fame. and many more

BASSE VILLE'S WONDERFUL TROMPE L'OEIL MURALS…read more We enjoyed two trompe l'oeil murals located in the Basse Ville section of Old Quebec. Both murals were public art projects involving the joint efforts of French and Quebec artists. The first mural, Fresque des Quebecois, is a towering mural painted on the side of a tall building. It is a fun mural mixing historical figures in contemporary vignettes. We felt like we could step into the corner book store and browse through the books. The second mural is called the Fresque du Petit Champlain (also known as Fresque du Cap Blanc). This mural rips away the walls of rooms featuring glimpses into the lives of everyday people living in 1600-1800s Cap Blanc, then a working class fishing neighborhood in Quebec. There is a fence that prevents visitors from walking up close to the mural.

Located in the Notre Dame Basilica-Cathedral, the Holy Door of Québec City is one of seven such…read moredoors worldwide, and the only one to be found outside Europe. Holy Doors symbolize a passage between what one leaves behind to what one wishes to walk toward. There are six other such Doors around the world: four in Rome, one in Spain and one in France. Crossing the Holy Door is a spiritual undertaking in which any person of goodwill can participate regardless of religion. The Holy Door in Québec City was inaugurated in 2013 during the 350th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish by François de Laval. A Holy Door is generally kept sealed, only being opened in holy years. The Holy Door is currently open on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the Diocese of Québec until December 8, 2024.

A very beautiful church in Quebec City, the oldest church in Canada, since 1647 on this site. A…read moremagnificent landmark that must be seen if you are visiting the city. If you are Catholic, entering through the Holy Door is a big deal. You grasp his hand, open the door, walk through, and close it behind you for the next person. The decor and art is superb, lots of gold leaf. Admission is free, $5 CA donations if you wish to light a candle.

So many monuments in Quebec. Dan sums it up in the previous review. Make sure you stop by for a…read morephoto op.

Francois De Laval De Montmorency (1623-1708) was the first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec, and was…read moreone of the most influential men of his time. This monument honors Montmorency for his contributions to Quebec's religious, political, educational, and charitable heritage. The monument is located just West of Park Montmorency in a triangular plaza bordered by Cote de la Montagne, Rue Port-Dauphin, and Passage du Chien D'or. This is an incredibly ornate piece of artwork. A huge statue of the bishop stands atop a stone base. There are three dimensional carved panels along the base perimeter, a coat of arms, plus statues of what looks to me like an angel, a boy, and an Indian. There's also an engraved plaque (French only) highlighting his accomplishments. The monument is set in a beautiful terraced plaza with public seating and pretty flower decorations. It is one of the more spectacular monuments I saw in QC.