Quebec City is a beautiful spot to vacation and can feel like stepping into Europe thanks to its historic sites, delicious food, noteworthy architecture and surrounding scenery. With that in mind we’re sharing some tips for how to have a European-inspired getaway without actually going to Europe.
Visit Île d’Orléans
Just a quick 15 minute drive from downtown Quebec City is where you’ll find Île d’Orléans. The scenic area is comprised of a series of villages reminiscent of a quaint European town and showcases what Quebec’s countryside would have looked like in the 19th century. Here you’ll see historic farms, churches and heritage homes, as well as artisans and farm stalls. Hop from village to village to get a true old world European experience.
Wander Petit-Champlain District and Place-Royale
Feel as if you’ve stepped back in time as you wander through Petit-Champlain District and Place-Royale. Historic Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest stone church in North America can be found here, and you can walk along cobbled streets among period buildings that look as if they belong in a historic European city. There are also some boutiques and cafes here worth stopping into if you need to refuel from all your sightseeing or shop around for some souvenirs.
Eat a croissant
You don’t have to be perusing the streets of Paris to stumble upon the perfect croissant. There are many places in Quebec City to satisfy your cravings for everyone’s favourite flakey, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pastry. Some places to include Le Paingrüel Boulangerie Artisanale & Créative and Café-boulangerie Paillard. Quebec City is also a great place to indulge in French food – without having to travel to France.
Discover Quebec’s fortifications
Quebec City is North America’s only remaining fortified city, and the fortifications surrounding Old Quebec are almost 4.6 kilometres in length. You can walk along the walls for photo-worthy views of the city below, or take a guided tour to learn more about the fortifications (a national historic site) and their history. As you tour the area you’ll also see cannons, fortresses, and an artillery park.
Explore Old Quebec
Old Quebec has a definite European flavour. The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the aforementioned fortifications, but is also where you can get lost among cobblestone streets, shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Along Rue Saint-Jean and Rue Saint-Louis is where you’ll find some serious European charm.
Try some local cuisine
Quebec cuisine draws its roots from French cooking and you shouldn’t leave without trying a few local specialties. Some of these include cretons, which are a cold meat similar to rillettes, slow-cooked baked beans, pea soup (soupe aux pois), meat pie (pâté à la viande), poutine, and sugar pie (tarte au sucre).
Lead photo: Derek Hatfield
