Embrace the best of French Canada with Katie McGonagle’s guide to Québec City
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Strolling through narrow, cobblestone streets, stumbling across magnificent architecture and historical sites at every turn, hearing the distant strains of French conversation – you couldn’t possibly be in Canada, could you?
Mais oui. Québec City is at the heart of the country’s French heritage but has a culture totally its own, plus all the fine dining, art and shopping you would expect from a busy metropolis. More importantly, it also offers a completely different side of Canada from the snowy peaks of the Rockies or charming fishing villages of the Maritimes.
Get to know more about the city – and the visitors it attracts – and you could tap into a new pool of potential bookings across the pond.
SEE: FROM HISTORY TO HAUTE CUISINE
Québec City celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008. By North American standards, that makes it practically ancient, and its rich heritage is on display everywhere you look.
The historic district starts with Haute-Ville, the Upper Town, surrounded by fortified ramparts and a citadel, making it the only place north of Mexico to retain its original city walls. Then there’s Basse-Ville, the Lower Town, home to the harbour and
Place Royale, the spot where city founder Samuel de Champlain first landed in 1608. It’s now a lively public square, though the historic figure does get a starring role in the vast mural which adorns an entire wall nearby.
The Plains of Abraham are a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in history. It was the site of a pivotal 18th-century battle between the French and the British, which changed the course of Canadian history.
From there, it’s just a stone’s throw to the Observatoire de la Capitale, one of the tallest buildings in the city offering amazing views from its 31st floor, and the Citadel, where you can see a Buckingham Palace-style changing of the guard at 10am each day.
Whatever you do, don’t miss the Chateau Frontenac on the banks of the St Lawrence River. The former railway hotel is the city’s most iconic landmark and no doubt deserves its oft-cited epithet as the most photographed building in Québec.
Pop in for a drink, or just admire it from afar as you stroll along the banks of the river. Set aside some time just to wander through the charming streets of the Quartier Petit Champlain too – it’s the perfect example of how the city mixes its European heritage with a North American vibe.
The city is best seen on foot or by bike, though you can also opt for the slightly more touristy horse-drawn carriage or a gourmet tour on the back of a rickshaw, stopping off to try local cheeses at the Old Harbour market.
Once you’ve ticked off the sights, it’s time to sit back and soak up some culture. Kathryn Munro, communication and marketing director at Air Transat Holidays, says: “The downtown area of Old Québec has a charming feel with its small, cosy cafes and brasseries, as well as great boutique shopping, artisan craft outlets and art galleries.
“And, when the sun goes down, there is also some vibrant nightlife with a great live music scene.”
It’s no surprise to find gourmet French restaurants dotted around the city, but Québec City also has superb international cuisine, from European flavours to Japanese and Chinese.
For traditional fare, look out for Québecois dishes featuring caribou, buffalo and elk. Or try the fast food-style poutine, a French Canadian take on cheesy chips with gravy.
Those with more time can venture outside the tourist-focused historic district to downtown neighbourhoods like bohemian Saint Jean Baptiste. From there, take the funicular railway to Saint Roch, where Rue Saint Joseph has a mix of one-off boutiques and larger department stores, plus a choice of bistro-style restaurants and delis.
STAY: SOMEWHERE FOR EVERYONE
Québec City boasts a range of hotel product inside its city walls and within walking distance of the major sights on offer. It even has an Ice Hotel open from January 5 until March 24, 2013.
Splurge: The most sought-after luxury hotel is a landmark in itself, the aforementioned Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which overlooks the St Lawrence River and the Old Town and is featured by almost every luxury operator with a focus on Canada. Kuoni’s prices start at £78 room-only per night.
The four-star Auberge Saint Antoine offers rustic character with a touch of class, complete with wooden beams and stone floors and set in the heart of the harbourside district. For a total contrast, Hotel Pur is the essence of urban chic, with minimalist design and floor-to-ceiling windows in uber-cool Saint Roch. Both are featured by Bridge & Wickers.
Spend: The restored art deco Hotel Manoir Victoria is a popular mid-range choice, for its French flavour and renowned gastronomy (from £72 per person per night with Signature from Thomas Cook, and also featured by Kuoni).
The Delta Québec has great views of the Laurentian Mountains, and is a good family option as under-17s stay free when sharing with a parent, and under-sixes eat for free from the children’s menu.
The four-star Hotel Chateau Laurier has an enviable position a few steps away from the Plains of Abraham, from £40 per person per night room-only when booked with Tailor Made Travel.
Save: If budgets are tight, Signature suggests looking outside the main historic district to areas like Sainte Foy, which are just a short bus ride from the centre but have a host of cheaper options.
Or you can avoid the peak season of September, when tourists flock to see the fall foliage changing colour. May and June are warm but significantly quieter.
The three-star Hotel Chateau Bellevue, recommended by Air Transat Holidays, is surprisingly central – backing on to the Chateau Frontenac – for a budget friendly property, with 48 rooms in converted turn-of-the-20th-century houses.
SELL: A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS
Québec City is a real highlight of the region so it shouldn’t be too hard to convince clients to stop off there, either as the focus of their holiday or a fly-drive visit.
Malcolm Davies, product administration manager at Funway Holidays, says: “Québec is a true year-round activity and touring destination with hot, sunny summers, brilliant red autumn colours and cold sunny winters ideal for great skiing.
“A national park, wildlife reserves, golf courses and ski resorts are just some of the area’s many outdoor attractions. Also discover the French culture that Québec has to offer by visiting Old Québec. It has great winter and summer festivals, and buzzing nightlife.”
A dedicated city break is certainly possible, but the lack of direct flights – Montréal is the nearest airport with routes from Gatwick and Heathrow – means it’s more likely to form part of a wider itinerary.
Most Québec-centred self-drives spend a decent amount of time in the city. Travel 2’s Splendid Nature of Québec and Kuoni’s Charming Québec both devote two nights but, if your clients are really keen, operators will usually be able to amend their standard itinerary to allow extra time.
Escorted tours such as Bridge & Wickers’ Discover Eastern Canada, Collette Worldwide’s Best of Eastern Canada, or Travelsphere’s New England & Canada in the Fall also include guided city tours taking in the main highlights.
Signature from Thomas Cook has added Québec Highlights, a nine-day self-drive around Québec City, Montreal, Tadoussac and Saint Alexis-des-Monts, for 2013 (from £605 for accommodation and a whale-watching trip, excluding flights and car hire).
Thomas Cook Tours has brought in a 12-day escorted tour, Scenic Québec by Coastal Train (from £2,595 with flights, excursions, 10 nights’ accommodation, airport transfers and selected meals). Travellers can also stay in the city and use it as a base to explore the beauty of the surrounding area.
Go mountain biking in Jacques-Cartier National Park, drive less than 10 miles to Montmorency Falls, which is 30 metres higher than Niagara, or venture farther north to Mont-Sainte-Anne ski resort which offers snowshoeing, dogsledding and ice skating in winter, plus hiking and fishing in the warmer months.
