Québec City at a Glance
Jeff Frenette Photography
The birthplace of French North America and the only walled city north of Mexico is an open-air treasure chest that will delight history and culture buffs alike. Its European background and modern North American character are set off by a heady blend of history, traditional and contemporary art, and French-language culture to make Québec City a destination like no other.
Year after year, travel magazines continually rank the Québec City Area among the world's top destinations.
Find out what Quebec City is best known for.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Francis Gagnon
Steven D'Avignon- Jeff Frenette Photography
Place Royale, Jeff Frenette Photography- Jeff Frenette Photography
- Founded in 1608 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain
- Recognized as the cradle of French civilization in North America
- A UNESCO world heritage treasure (1985) on account of its heritage site of Old Québec
- The only fortified city north of Mexico
- A unique North-American religious heritage: first catholic parish north of the Spanish colonies, first Anglican cathedral to be built outside the British Isle, and the only Holy Door outside Europe
- An heritage influenced by different nations: Hurons-Wendat, French as well as British and Irish
A French Canadian Culture
Audet Photo
Petit-Champlain, Jeff Frenette Photography
@chefarnaudm, Chez Boulay
D. Lafond
- Capital of the province of Québec
- Home to a population of 717,000 inhabitants (Greater Québec City Area), 95% of them French-speaking. However, many people, including the vast majority of hospitality industry workers, also speak English
- A very safe city, with one of the lowest crime rates in North America
- Among the world's best food cities
- Famed for its hospitality and joie de vivre
A One-of-a-Kind Geography
Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
Casse-cou Staircase, Chantal Gagnon- Jeff Frenette Photography
Jeff Frenette Photography- Étienne Dionne
- 9,000 km2 in area (5 592 mi2)
- Québec comes from the Algonquin word kébec, meaning "place where the river narrows"
- Inaugurated in 1919, the Quebec Bridge is the longest cantilever bridge in the world
- Divided into two distinct parts (the Upper Town and the Lower Town) linked by nearly 30 sets of stairs
- Old Québec is easily walkable
- Parks, wildlife reserves, and scenic attractions are minutes away, with a host of outdoor activities available all year round
- Located less than 15 minutes by car from the city center, Montmorency Falls are 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls
A Winter Wonderland
- Francis Gagnon
- Danny Vachon
- Village Vacances Valcartier / Francis Gagnon
- Fred Photo et Vidéo
- From November to late March, the region is one giant playground while Old Québec dazzles with its enchanting blanket of snow
- The only ice hotel (Hôtel de Glace) in America
- The Québec Winter Carnival, one of the world's largest winter festival, has been warming hearts since 1955
- Village Vacances Valcartier is the largest winter playground in North America
