One of my first jobs was working as a Tour Director for student groups from Ontario headed to Quebec for their graduation trip. This was the job that led me down the path of working in travel and knowing that long days, living out of suitcases and constant exploration was my calling. I am forever grateful for the job, the skills I learned and for the friendships I made here.
Moving on from that sappy intro, Quebec also captured my heart. Its charming streets, picturesque views and the majestic Chateau Frontenac watching faithfully over city has made it one of my favourite cities in North America. It was only fitting that it was the first destination I sold while working for a luxury tour operator. I knew it inside and out, and was passionate about the city.
Part of our job in Quebec was to lead walking tours of Upper Town (as a ghost…long story). It was what I like to call an orientation tour. See the main sights, and get your bearings in a city. When you first arrive to Quebec (unless you are coming in by cruise ship), you often visit the Upper Town first.
I always start the tour in the main square of town, by the Chateau Frontenac, with Samuel de Champlain looking out at his habitation and the St. Lawrence River in the background.
Here is a snippet of the info from each of the sites on the tour. Want more? Contact me to get the full Quebec City Walking Tour.
Place d'Armes
Place d'Armes is a central square in Old Quebec, surrounded by large trees and anchored by a statue of St. Anne de Beaupre. It was where the military would gather to practice drills.
Rue du Tresor
Rue du Tresor, was where the treasury used to collect its monies. Now it has another type of treasure - artwork. Local artists set up shot in this alleyway and sell their pieces. You can great prints and original works here.
Chateau Frontenac
The Chateau Frontenac is an internationally recognized symbol of Quebec. Although the name literally means "castle", it's a hotel and is part of the Fairmont brand. It was built in many different stages, which is why it has so many neat nooks and crannies. Just recently renovated, it has an amazing bar overlooking the Dufferin Terrace and the St. Lawrence. It costs a pretty penny to drink and dine there but the view is worth it. Just be wary of the many ghosts that supposedly haunt the classic hotel!
Dufferin Terrace
The Dufferin Terrace was a beautiful area built for the Governors who used to live in a building where the Chateau Frontenac now lies. You can see some of the remains left there from a fire (pretty much everything burns down in Quebec) in viewing platforms on the terrace. Grab an ice cream cone and watch the river from over 200 ft up. In the winter, there's an ice slide on the terrace (for Winter Carnival) which is a TON of fun and worth checking out.
Jardin des Gouveneurs
The governor's gardens house a monument to both General Wolfe & Montcalm, which were the Generals in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. It's a strange thing to have one monument dedicated to men on opposite sides, but it was because they were fighting for the greater good and they were both held close to God. Or something like that.
Rue St. Louis
Rue St. Louis is one of the main streets that lead into the heart of Upper Town Quebec. One of the 3 main gates in the walled city is at the top of the street, which turns into Grande Allee (the main drag with tons of bars and restaurants). Along here you can see one of the oldest restaurants in the city, Aux Anciens Canadiens, which serves traditional Quebecois fare.
Cannonball Tree
This is one of those popular sites with the 12 year-olds because it is literally, a cannonball in a tree. No one knows exactly how it got there, but some reckon it shows the French culture still blossoming even with the English's interference, or something like that...
Ursuline Convent
The Ursuline Convent, located on Rue Donnaconna is no longer a convent, but a school. It does have a lot of history here. It was originally founded by the Ursuline Mission, who came to Quebec to help convert the Aboriginals and to teach native girls here **life skillz** like needlework and embroidery. The French Governor, Montcalm died here during the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.
Hotel de Ville
So the Chateau Frontenac is a hotel but it really means castle, and Hotel de Ville doesn't mean hotel, it means "city hall". Oh the French, always confusing us Anglais folk. The Hotel de Ville once housed a Jesuit Mission. It shows a great example of the Quebec Provincial flag as well as the flag of the city.
Want more? Contact me to get the full Quebec City Walking Tour.