Must-See Churches and Religious Sites

From December 8, 2023 to December 8, 2024, the Catholic Church of Québec City will mark the 350^th anniversary of the founding of its diocese (1674). The thousands of people expected during the year will be invited to rediscover the history of the diocesan community through activities aimed at everyone: opening of the Holy Door, visits to rarely accessible heritage places, exhibitions, hiking Compostela style, shows, conferences, family meetings and collaboration with major events in Québec City are all part of the programming.

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, Étienne Dionne

Notre-Dame de Québec was built in 1647, leading to the establishment of the first Roman Catholic parish north of the Spanish colonies.

You'll enjoy:

• The only Holy Door outside Europe
• The spectacular baldachin over the altar and tabernacle like a miniature version of the one in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome
• The tomb of St. François de Laval, Québec’s first bishop, canonized in 2014
• The crypt and resting place of bishops, as well as 4 governors of New France

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

Luc-Antoine Couturier

The first Anglican cathedral to be built outside the British Isles was constructed between 1800 and 1804. Designed by British Artillery officers and modelled on the famous church St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

You'll enjoy:

• The King's Gift: an exhibition of the superb silver Communion Service given to the Cathedral by King George III
• The Royal pew, with the Arms of King George III
• Monuments to British officers and aristocrats, including the Duke of Richmond, who gave the famous ball before the Battle of Waterloo
• A very rare English chamber organ, built in 1790 in London 
• The fine stained-glass windows, many of which were made in London

Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church

Jeff Frenette Photography

Built on the remains of the second "habitation" of the founder of the city, it is the oldest stone church in Canada. Almost destroyed in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, it was completely restored in 1816. Today, it remains an emblem of Old Québec.

You'll enjoy:

• The tabernacle of Sainte-Geneviève chapel, the only original element
• The replica of the Brézé vessel, saved from the ruins of the Notre-Dame-de-Québec basilica-cathedral in 1759
• The tradition of buns blessed in memory of Saint Geneviève

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine

Au Québ

The pilgrims have been coming to this site for over 350 years to pay homage to Saint Anne. Step inside and admire the glorious stained glass, paintings, mosaics, and stone and wooden sculptures that adorn the basilica. In the summer of 2022, the Shrine was visited by Pope Francis as part of a pastoral visit to dialogue with the indigenous peoples.

You'll enjoy:

• The vault, decorated in mosaics, that tell the life of Saint Anne
• The Way of the Cross where you can make a modern‑day pilgrimage along the path that takes you past 14 stations illustrating moments in the Passion of Christ

On your way to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, we recommend a stop at Albert Gilles Copper Art Studio / Museum / Boutique to discover this local artist who decorated more than 35 churches across North America, including the impressive main gates of the Shrine. 

A river shuttle between Old Québec and the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré dock allows you to visit the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine without driving while enjoying a breathtaking view of the landscapes from the river.

Monastère des Augustines

Le Monastère des Augustines

Augustinian Nuns built the continent’s first hospital north of Mexico in 1639. For nearly 400 years, they spent their lives caring for those suffering bodily and mental illnesses. They also played a role in the development of modern medicine.

You’ll enjoy:

• The harmonious blend of historical and modern architecture
• The 40,000 artifacts from 12 Augustinian monastery hospitals on display in the permanent exhibition, which traces the social and spiritual work of Québec’s Augustinian nuns through the centuries

Pôle culturel des Ursulines (Ursulines Monastery museum)

Luc-Antoine Couturier

The Ursulines founded North America’s first school for girls here. They arrived at their current location in 1642.

You’ll enjoy:

• The chapel furnishings, including one of the oldest ensembles of sculpted wood in the city
• Musée des Ursulines, displaying the treasures of the oldest religious teaching community in the country, such as liturgical ornaments embroidered in gold in the 17th and 18th centuries

Walk in the footsteps of those who left everything behind to proclaim the Gospel in New France and who built the city of Québec! The Pilgrimage Old Québec portal facilitates the organization of an individual or group pilgrimage through the holy sites of Old Québec, all within walking distance of each other.

This exhibition installed in the Saint-Michel church in Sillery offers a collection of around five dozen high-quality icons presenting different moments of human encounters with each other, with God, with themselves, with Life.

A magical and romantic backdrop, a host of fine restaurants, world-renowned services—Québec City is the dream setting for a wedding that’s simply divine!

Explore these interesting cemeteries, they are whispers of history.