Get A Taste of Europe Closer to Home With a Quebec Vacation
During my recent visit to Quebec, I walked the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, indulged in classic foods like poutine, and explored historic sites in and around the region. As the heart of Francophone culture in North America, Quebec offers a unique blend of French traditions, language, and customs that will make you feel like you’re visiting a French province, without the overseas flight.
Where Is Quebec?
Quebec, Canada, is located north of the U.S. states of Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire, and is more than double the size of Texas. It’s the only Canadian province where French is the official language and while 84.1% of the population speak French, 46.4% are proficient in English. If you’re not bilingual, chances are quite good the establishments you visit will have English speakers there to help you.
Destination Canada invited me to experience what the area has to offer and my visit to the region included two nights in Quebec City and two nights in the beautiful city of Charlevoix. Follow along as I share with you what you can expect on your visit to the area.
Staying in Old Quebec: Hôtel Le Germain Québec
For starters, we stayed right in the heart of Quebec City’s historic Old Port district at Hotel Le Germain. This was the perfect location for exploring the area on foot and is near several museums, antique shops, art galleries, cozy bistros and gourmet restaurants.
The rooms are spacious and beautiful and the continental breakfast served each morning made it easy to grab a bite before heading out. If you’re traveling with friends, the hotel lobby also has several places to have a drink and visit.
Explore Old Quebec’s European Charm
Founded in 1608, Old Quebec consists of an upper and a lower part, and together, they are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking the cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops and fun eateries feels much like strolling the streets of Paris.
We visited in March and although it began snowing while we were out, it only added to the ambiance. Be sure to set aside plenty of time, because there’s so much to see here!
Let Your Inner History Buff Out
You may want to spend some time reading up on the history of Old Quebec before you come. No time? No problem. Take a guided tour and you’ll learn interesting pieces of history you likely won’t find in the books.
Our guide was quite knowledgeable and shared with us a brief history of the Old Town, along with some fascinating and funny trivia. I highly recommend doing this!
Visit the famous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
If your budget allows, this five-star hotel is the most famous in the region. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac sits perched high on the hill in upper Old Quebec and has magnificent views of the St. Lawrence River and the city below.
The 150-year-old hotel showcases Renaissance architecture and beautifully detailed craftsmanship. It’s an iconic landmark in Quebec and is said to be the most photographed hotel in the world. Even if you don’t stay overnight, you can walk through the lobby and enjoy a coffee at the Starbucks located there.
Take a Ride on an E-Bike
Don’t let a little snow stop you from getting out and exploring Old Town. We had an opportunity for a guided tour with Quebec Fat Bike. They provided everything we needed—pants, coats, gloves, boots, helmets, all of it—so all we had to do was show up and ride! This was a fantastic way to cover some ground in a short amount of time while learning local history from our very knowledgeable guide.
It definitely got harder to bike when we were off the streets and riding on the snowy walking path beside the river. Even on an e-bike with “fat” wheels, I found it challenging, so we didn’t go as far as we would have in better weather. It was still a fun excursion, though, and I’m glad we went!
Experience Wellness in a Centuries Old Monastery
For a truly unique wellness experience, you’ll want to check out Monastère des Augustines. With a heritage dating back nearly four hundred years, they’ve got plenty of experience getting to the heart of rest and relaxation for the body, mind, and soul.
During your stay, you’ll have a choice of authentic or contemporary rooms. You can also book spa time, take a yoga class in the basement, and spend plenty of time unplugged. Be sure to visit the fascinating museum exhibitions located in the monastery as well. If walls could talk, I’m sure the monastery has some stories to tell!
See the City Wall
Quebec holds the title of being the only walled city in North America north of Mexico. Originally built in 1690, it’s been rebuilt three times, with the most recent project completed in the 1830s. Plan time during your stay to walk through the gates, stand on the ramparts, and admire the views of Old Quebec. There’s a lot of history surrounding this area, so if you’re into that, you’ll definitely enjoy spending time here.
Experience Great Food
It’s been said that Quebec has some of the best food in the world. Quebec City has its share of fine dining, as well as many eateries serving local favorites. If you’ve never tried poutine, don’t leave town without ordering it at least once! This traditional dish of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy can be found everywhere, from food trucks to upscale establishments.
Of course, if you’ve come to Quebec for a taste of France, you’ll have no problem finding restaurants that serve food like crêpes and Tourtière pie. You’ll also find desserts like Tarte au sucre, which is made with maple syrup instead of sugar.
You’ll Never Guess It’s Vegan
Although I’m not vegan, our itinerary included dinner at Don Végane, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it. Located a short walk from Hôtel Le Germain, where we stayed, Le Don is the only vegan restaurant in Quebec and serves Mediterranean, South American, and Asian-inspired cuisine. From appetizers to desserts, everything we had there was delicious. You don’t need to be vegan to enjoy dinner there, so don’t be afraid to add it to your itinerary, too.
Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa
You can spend your entire vacation time in Quebec City and not run out of things to do and see. Our itinerary included traveling an hour away to the beautiful town of Charlevoix, where we stayed at Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel & Spa.
This luxury hotel is more of a resort and is located between the shores of Baie-Saint-Paul and the Charlevoix mountains. Staying here provides a perfect opportunity to relax, either with family or perhaps on a romantic getaway. You’ll find everything you need, from restaurants and recreation to a luxury spa to spend your day in. The rooms are uniquely beautiful and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a view of the neighboring herd of Highland Cattle from your windows.
Relax in Luxury
We spent several hours on a snowy day enjoying the Nordic Spa at the hotel. It’s quite an experience to relax in a hot pool while light snow falls around you. We made the cycle several times, including hot and cold outdoor pools, a eucalyptus steam bath, and a Finnish sauna. Of course, we spent plenty of time just relaxing inside on lounge chairs, too.
If you want to relax and unwind in a beautiful setting, this is the place to do it.
DinkDunk Pickle Ball Experience
If you get the chance to participate in one of Destination Canada’s pop-up experiences, do it! We spent one fabulous day at a DinkDunk Pickleball Spa and had the best time! You may have played pickleball before, but have you ever played in your robe and slippers while sipping champagne? I’m guessing not, but we sure did.
The staff was there to support us throughout our visit taking care of our every need. They brought us drinks, prepared the saunas, cheered while we took a cold plunge in the freezing river, and took lots of fun photos for us. We each had a 30-minute Swedish massage and basked in the beauty of the surroundings. I can’t recommend this activity enough, however, they are only offered at certain times, so you’ll have to keep an eye on their website.
Cheese Tasting at La Famille Migneron
Are you a cheese lover? Add a stop to this quaint, family-owned business to your itinerary. Cheese tastings are available daily so you can sample before you buy. Add some wine to make a picnic basket or you can stay and eat at the on-site restaurant. This was something fun and different to do while we were in town that we all enjoyed.
Explore Downtown Charlevoix
“As intoxicating as champagne, but without the morning-after headache.” ~ Former U.S. President William Howard Taft
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street in Charlevoix has plenty of boutique shops, art galleries and eateries to spend a pleasant part of your day exploring. While the weather wasn’t conducive to us being outside much during our time there, it’s a gorgeous area that has plenty of opportunities to explore the region any time of year. You can hike, ski, go boating or whale-watching…depending on weather conditions when you come, of course.
Things to See On the Drive to Charlevoix
Quebec is a beautiful area in Canada and the drive from Quebec City to Charlevoix is no exception. There are a couple of sites worth mentioning along the way.
The Sanctuary of Sainte Anne de Beaupré is a beautiful basilica located 20 minutes outside the city, along the Saint Lawrence River. It’s known as the oldest pilgrimage site in North America and has been visited by millions of people over the past 350 years. Whether you have time to visit inside or only stop to admire the stunning architecture, it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
Stop to See Montmorency Falls
Another stop along the way worth making is a visit to Montmorency Falls. You may be surprised to learn these falls are actually taller than Niagra Falls and are the tallest in the province.
If time allows, you can ride a cable car to the top of the falls. Adrenaline junkies can walk across the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge and if you’re really into it, take the 487-step panoramic staircase back down the cliff. Even if you’re not there during visiting hours, you can still stop for photo opportunities and to admire the beautiful falls at any time of day.
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A landmark in the newly modernized Docklands, the hotel sits at the former final point of the Grand Canal. Unmissable red-angled pillars, beautifully lit at night, symbolize the area’s history and innovation.
In typical Irish fashion, there’s a rich story behind them. An homage to the previous cast iron markers that illustrated the end of the canal journey, they are more than public art pieces but a symbol of reaching one’s destination.