If ever a place looked like a movie set, it’s Old Quebec City in springtime. Pristine stone walls brightened by jewel-tone doors and kaleidoscope window boxes seem to have been plucked from a historical romance. Buildings don’t appear to have withstood a day in the elements, let alone hundreds of years.
In reality, Quebec City, aka Vieux Québec, was established in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, making it one of the oldest cities in North America. And because it retains its original ramparts, this exceptional example of a fortified colonial city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
History makes the historic district of Quebec City an interesting place to explore on foot, but it’s the old-world European ambiance that makes it so romantic–and such a delightful choice for a wedding anniversary.
For even more weekend getaways, check out our list of romantic getaways in Canada.
Old Quebec City Hotels
HISTORIC HOTEL: Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
Arriving at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a bit of a production. Liveried doormen stand guard at a front door that opens up on a private driveway, well sheltered from city streets.
Designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1980, Château Frontenac was the first of a series of Chateau-style hotels often referred to as “Canada’s Castles” built by railway companies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to encourage luxury tourism.
Today, the image of Château Frontenac dominating the Cap Diamont promontory is one of the most recognizable images of Quebec, but the hotel interior is full of jaw-dropping beauty too. And the amenities are pretty special too, including an indoor pool and whirlpool.
After the grandeur of Le Château Frontenac’s public spaces, our room was a bit of a disappointment. By comparison, it seemed a little bland and lacking in the period furnishings or architectural detail seen elsewhere.
The bathroom made the most of a small space, and the marble tile was attractive, but again, it lacked any wow factor. Also, the toiletries provided were skimpy and somewhat masculine, not what I expected in luxury accommodations.
Not that we wasted any time staring at the room decor, not when our view from the 12th floor was so spectacular. We could see for miles and miles, over spikes and spires and flags waving in the wind in Old Quebec to the Laurentian Mountains on the horizon.
MID-CENTURY MODERN HOTEL: Hotel Le Germain Quebec
Le Germain is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Quebec City’s historic Old Port district. The hotel features 60 guest rooms and suites, all designed with a modern, minimalist aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the surrounding historic architecture.
Each room is elegantly appointed with high-end furnishings and amenities, including comfortable beds with plush linens, Nespresso coffee machines, and luxurious bathrooms with rain showers and heated floors. Some of the rooms also offer stunning views of the St. Lawrence River or the Old Port district.
Le Germain hotel also offers a variety of services and amenities to enhance guests’ stays, including a fitness center, valet parking, and complimentary breakfast featuring local and organic products. The hotel’s lobby bar, KRWN, is a popular spot for cocktails and light bites, while its signature restaurant, Le Boulevardier, serves up classic French cuisine with a modern twist.
Things To Do In Old Quebec City
What I most loved about our stay at a Canadian castle was its location. From the hotel, we could exit right onto the Terrasse Dufferin, the boardwalk along the St Lawrence River. And with 37 National Historic Sites of Canada in Quebec City, it almost didn’t matter which way we went, we were bound to run into something noteworthy.
Without an agenda, Dave and I wandered aimlessly, stopping to take photos and wine and dine. We stopped a lot.
Exiting Château Frontenac through its front door and tunnel driveway placed us on Rue Saint Louis, in front of the Ministry of Finance and a little park where horse-drawn carriages line up.
A five-minute walk brought us to the Old Quebec Funicular, a short railway that took us from Upper Town to Lower Town. The roundtrip fare is a bargain when you consider the other option, steep hills or steps such as the infamous “Breakneck Stairs.”
Quebec City’s Lower Town includes the port, the Museum of Civilization, Notre Dame des Victoires church, and Petit Champlain district, the oldest commercial district in North America.
Strolling through Petit Champlain, we found many one-of-a-kind boutiques and souvenir shops, and even one or two that remind visitors of Quebec’s role in North American fur trade history.
Everywhere we went, we found talented street performers.
And since we explored at our own pace, we were free to stop, listen, and be entertained, whether it was by a guitarist in period attire…
…or a Dog and Drummer busking duo.
Walking Tours: Quebec City Tourism lists many different ways to get to know the area on foot, from classic walking tours to food or ghost tours. Or you can sign up for a guided tour by bus, bike, cruise, horse-drawn carriage, or even in a hot air balloon.
Independent sorts may want to check out self-guided tour itineraries; options include virtual reality immersion in Québec or a brisk walk on the Plains of Abraham where French and British troops faced off.
Old Quebec City Restaurants
Breakfast/Dessert: Breakfast? lunch? dinner? Sweet or savory crepes are perfect anytime, but we dropped in at Le Casse-Crêpe Breton on Rue Saint-Jean at breakfast time and went with a hearty ham, egg, and asparagus combination.
BRUNCH: 58 kinds of crepes on the menu–we shared lobster and lemon curd crepes–and live music at Le Petit Château Restaurant, neighboring Château Frontenac.
EAT/DRINK: While away an hour or two or three just on cocktails and appetizers–do try the carpaccio and foie gras–at Ristorante Il Teatro on Rue St-Jean.
EAT: When in Quebec, you have to sample poutine, the fast-food dish that originated in the province. Traditionally made with french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds, variations abound.
At Le Lapin Sauté on Rue du Petit Champlain, we savored a Rabbit Poutine which adds shredded rabbit meat. The restaurant itself is adorable, looking like it was pulled out of a Beatrix Potter storybook, with its outdoor garden and rabbit motif.
PUB: Open even when little else is, L’Oncle Antoine on Rue St-Pierre serves a limited but satisfying menu–pizza and French Onion soup are popular– and a decent roster of bottled and on-tap local craft beers. Do peek in regardless to see the barrel-vaulted stone cellar of one of Quebec’s oldest houses (dating back to 1754.)
Quebec Getaways
Extend your Quebec getaway, here are nearby travel guides:
Old Quebec City On The Map
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