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 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.

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

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.

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.

Ile-d'Orleans is an island in the Saint Lawrence River. The island is about 3.1 miles east of…read moredowntown Quebec city. It is a nice day trip from the city and it can be combined with a nearby visit to Morntmorency falls and Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. The island is 21 miles long and 7 miles wide. It is accessible from the the mainland of Quebec by the Ile-d'Orleans bridge. The Chemin Royale road encircles the entire island. While traveling the Chemin Royale road you will encounter small cottage industries specializing in various agricultural products. Cassis Monna & Filles winery has tours and tasting. Fromagerie Biese d' Epinelle specializes in cheese and dairy products. Chocolaterie de-Ile Orleans haschocolate, fudge and other chocolate based products with no preservatives. La Boulange-Saint-Jean-de-Ile-Orleans sells bakery goods and pasteries while LaCuisine d'Ete-Saint-Laurent-de-Ile'Orleans has exceptional maple syrup. There are also histirical stops along the way. The Manor Mauvide Genest built in 1734 was the home of Jean Mauvide, who was the surgeon for King of France. Stop by one of the many churches along the way. I recommend Eglise de Saint Jean Saint Pierre. With the Laurentian Plateau to the North, the Appalachian Mountains to the South and views of the Atlantic Ocean and Saint Lawrence Seaway, the Chemin Royale road is a scenic drive in it's own right. Enjoy small cottage industries in a rolling hills pastoral setting.

This is a must go to place if you're visiting Quebec City. We had so much fun driving and…read moreexploring all the neat little places to eat and try drinks while we were on this island. I won't go into specifics for each restaurant as there are reviews for that separately. We loved places like Mona and cassis for blackcurrant flavored ice cream and wines, roulette du coin for their duck burger and poutine, Casse chez Meg for that amazing lobster roll, nougatierre for nougats, chocolaterie for the amazing chocolate and vanilla dipped in chocolate ice cream. Come on an empty stomach and full wallet and just enjoy all the different unique things you can eat and drink. Highly suggest taking a cooler with you, there's so many things you can buy and take home with you like chocolate, nougats, cheese curds, blackcurrant wine, baked goods, ciders, etc. It's not a far drive from Quebec City and the whole island itself is probably a one hour drive but you can easily spend half a day here exploring and trying lots of food and drinks. Most of the stores are super helpful in terms of directions and letting you sample all kinds of things. Do your stomach a favor and come here!

This is a must see place if we want to learn more about Quebec, its history, culture, and of…read morecourse, the government. You can either do a free guided tour or a self-guided tour - just make sure you reserve a spot in advance and show up 30 minutes early. This was a great learning experience, and I also appreciated the architecture of the building - definitely worth a stop.

Really gorgeous building with fantastic art installations and a very open concept, transparency…read moretheme to government. It's fascinating that you can see the modern building vs the historical side. Absolutely loved learning about it all and getting a chance to walk the whole building.

For my 2000th review, I wanted it to be a special review. For my 1000th review, I reviewed my…read morehometown of Toronto. I have since already reviewed all the other cities I've lived in and all the cities I visit regularly, but Quebec City remains, as a city I've only been to a handful of times (over the span of 20+ years), but have enjoyed visiting immensely. I give it 5 stars for it's rich history, European flair, beauty and charm. The majority of my visits to Quebec City have been via train. Their central train and bus station (Gare du Palais, which translates to Palace Station) is absolutely beautiful. Built in 1915, it's aesthetic really lives up to its regal name. The park and fountain in front of it also make for a very picturesque welcome to the city for those arriving by train. Old Quebec City with its cobblestone streets is really a sight to behold. For history buffs, the ramparts surrounding Old Quebec City are a must see! While Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec, in terms of tourism, it seems to be less popular than Montreal. I feel the cities are very different and I enjoy doing different things in them. I go to Montreal to shop for good deals on high fashion and eat at their culturally diverse restaurants. I go to Quebec City to walk hand-in-hand with my love and take in the beautiful sights, and enjoy French cuisine. This may be in part because I am truly more of a tourist in Quebec City, as I have never lived there, while I spent many years living in Montreal, and so return as not fully a tourist ;) Nonetheless, the 2 cities have a distinctly different feel to them, so I do encourage those who have been to Montreal but never Quebec City, to give the latter a visit. Of note, Quebec City is very hilly. So walking around, everyday is leg day! ;) Also to know, in the downtown touristy areas, almost everyone speaks both French and English, but if you travel outside of this core, you will find less people who speak English. Just a note for those who don't speak French.

Seemingly always in the shadow on Montreal, Quebec City is in many ways as good as the big M. If…read morehaving to choose my favorite city in this fair Provence, it would have to be the city that bares its Provence's name ... known to the Québecois as "Ville de Québec" (and to us English speakers) as Québec City. Quebec's most iconic site, La Château Frontenac, is hard to miss as it towers over the city from Upper Town (Haute-Ville). See it, marvel at it, go see it up close. While the winters are significantly more brutal than in Montreal, the summers (when I have visited) are quite superb. They have great parks even in the heart of the city, with lush plants and blooming flowers. I highly recommend Parc Félix-Leclerc (on Rue du Petit Champlain), Place d'Armes (right next to Le Château Frontenac) and their centerpiece, the sprawling Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine. Really, the start of any journey to Ville de Québec starts in Old Québec in the Lower Town (Basse-Ville). You'll be hard-pressed not to be transfixed by the classic old buildings and cobblestone streets. You'll probably be even more hard-pressed to not buy merch in the gift shops and clothiers lining the streets. I highly recommend keeping in mind the "Made in Quebec" stores ... great food, great maple syrup, great clothes ... great everything. Another "must-do" is taking the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec. A funicular is an obscure but fun mode of transport, a cable on a railroad that in this case takes people back-and-forth between Lower Town and Upper Town (Haute-Ville). If you are in Lower Town headed up, you will find yourself on Terrasse Dufferin, overlooking the city, Île d'Orléans, the fork of the St. Lawrence River, and the cross-river city of Lévis. I highly recommend walking down Promenade des Gouverneurs and the 310 stairs to even better views. The City is my favorite place in Québec ... I hope it becomes your favorite too!