Quebec City: what to see in the ancient Stadacona village


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What to see in Quebec City, monuments and main attractions, itinerary to discover the places to visit, including walls, castle and citadel.


Tourist information

Quebec City is a city in Canada, the capital of the province from which it takes its name, located in the south-eastern part of the country, on the San Lorenzo river, at the beginning of its estuary near the confluence with the Saint Charles river.

The strip of land that divides the San Lorenzo and San Charles rivers, where the city extends today, was the seat of an ancient Algonquin village called Stadacona, when in 1608 the first French settlement was established there founded by the geographer Samuel de Champlain.


The old city forms a well-preserved urban complex, one of the best examples of a fortified city from the colonial era, very interesting from an architectural, artistic and cultural point of view.

Since 1985 it has been included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO. The attractive French-style city consists of a low and a high part, connected to each other by steep streets, arduous stairways and a convenient funicular.

The upper town rises on Cap Diamant, the cliff that rises on the San Lorenzo river, in an enchanting position; the lower city includes the other part of the historic district, gathered around the old river port, with its ancient neighborhoods.


What see

The walls: the walls that surround the old city represent one of the most particular monuments, through a walk along the upper part you can enjoy a suggestive view over the city and the San Lorenzo river.

Château Frontenac: in the upper part of the city there is the imposing castle, now used as a hotel. The construction dates back to 1893, while the tower was added in 1920. During the Second World War, a conference was held in this hotel in which, among other things, the final details were agreed for the Normandy landings. The building is located in Place d’Armes, from which the Dufferin Terrace begins, a large wooden walkway overlooking the river, full of street artists, markets and kiosks.

Basilica Notre Dame de Québec: main Catholic cathedral of the city, it was built in 1633 by Samuel de Champlain at the exact point where the previous chapel was located.


Citadel: fortress dating back to 1820, stands in a dominant position on a rocky outcrop. It is possible to participate in a guided tour which includes the powder keg and a former prison housing a small museum. During the summer every day at 10 you can attend the changing of the guard ceremony.

Place Royale: the visit to this large square takes you back in time, to the first days of the colonization of New France, when Champlain settled with the first colonists, precisely in this place. The square overlooks one of the oldest churches in North America, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires and the Museo de la Place Royale, which tells the story of French civilization in North America.

Recommended readings
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Petit Champlain: is the oldest North American commercial district, located near Place Royale, characterized by narrow and winding alleys, with typical shops and restaurants.

Musée de la Civilization: it is located in the Lower City, it hosts temporary exhibitions concerning various themes, among the permanent exhibitions the exhibition concerning the history of Quebec and its ancient populations stands out.

Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec: located in the Parc des Champs de Bataille, it boasts the most significant collection of paintings and sculptures by Québec artists.

The Old Quebec Funicular | Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec | Quebec City | Canada | 4K (March 2024)


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