Quebec Travel Guide
The huge province of Quebec occupies the eastern part of Canada,
with coasts on the North Atlantic, Hudson and James Bays, and the
Lawrence Seaway (the major shipping channel of the east coast which
cuts through the south of the province). The major cities of Quebec
and Montreal are both situated in the more populated south on the
St Lawrence River.The province has a wide variety of landscapes, climatic regions
and vegetation, and therefore numerous different and distinct
tourist attractions, routes and getaways to offer. In the most
northerly reaches the wilderness prevails covered by thick forests
and clear lakes. This gives way to the snowy mountains of the
Laurentians, popular resort country, while down south is the urban
sprawl of Canada's French-speaking cities and rolling pastures of
the farmlands. Quebec has 22 national parks and a variety of
natural landmarks, including Montmorency Falls outside of Quebec
City and the Gaspé Peninsula on the St Lawrence River.Quebec has a uniquely French flavour, remaining the only North
American region to preserve its Francophone identity. In Quebec
French is the official language and is spoken by more than 80
percent of the population. For decades the province has been dogged
by political battles regarding secession, but currently moves to
turn Quebec into a sovereign state have been put on the back-burner
in favour of concentrating on economic development.
Quebec Travel Guide
Money:
Time:
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from the second Sunday in March to the first
Sunday in November).
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Quebec Travel Guide
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Description:
Montreal's futuristic Olympic Park was built for the 1976 Summer
Olympic Games and still serves as a showpiece today. Designed by
French architect, Roger Tallibert, it is impressive in both size
and shape, able to hold up to 80,000 spectators who now gather here
for concerts and baseball games. The landmark tower on the main
stadium, standing at 575 feet (175m), is the world's tallest
inclined tower. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Montreal
and its surroundings from the observation floors, accessible by a
funicular-type elevator. Pop over to view the wonderful Botanical
Gardens opposite the park, which are the second largest in the
world.
Address:
4141 Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
(514) 252 4141
Email:
Website:
www.rio.gouv.qc.ca
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Description:
St Joseph's Oratory is a landmark in Montreal, its imposing dome
on the northwest flank of Mont Royal visible for miles. This
Oratory is a famous pilgrimage site, despite only being completed
in 1967, attracting over two million visitors and pilgrims each
year. It was founded by Brother Andre, a beloved monk who was known
as the miracle-worker of Mount Royal because of his healing
abilities. Work began on the basilica after his death in 1937. Its
dome is the second largest in the world, being 318 feet (97m) high;
it is second only to St Peter's in Rome. The Oratory's carillon is
made up of 56 bells that were originally cast for the Eiffel Tower
in Paris; the Oratory acquired them in 1956. Visitors can climb the
283 steps from street level to the basilica's portico for beautiful
vistas over the city.
Address:
3800 Queen Mary Road
Postcode:
Telephone:
(514) 733 8211
Email:
Website:
www.saint-joseph.org
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Description:
During the past 140 years the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has
assembled one of North America's finest encyclopaedic collections,
totalling more than 30,000 objects. The collections include
Canadian art, contemporary art, Inuit and Amerindian Art, European
Masters, prints and drawings and decorative arts. The museum also
regularly features special exhibitions and activity programmes for
adults, students and children.
Address:
1379-1380 Sherbrooke Street West
Postcode:
Telephone:
(514) 285 2000
Email:
Website:
www.mmfa.qc.ca
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Description:
Just outside the old city walls stands the imposing 19th-century
Parliament Building, inspired by the Louvre in Paris and designed
by the architect, Eugene Etienne Taché. Although it is the working
home of the 125-strong National Assembly, the buildings are open to
visitors for guided tours, offered in English or French, which
highlight the historic value of the unique building as well as
informing visitors about the organisation and proceedings of the
Québec National Assembly.
Address:
1045 Parlementaires Road (visitor's entrance: Door 3 on
the corner of Grande-Allée and Honoré-Mercier Avenue)
Postcode:
Telephone:
(418) 643 7239
Email:
Website:
www.assnat.qc.ca
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Description:
The site of the historical Place-Royale complex was used in
ancient times by the First Nations for trading, until the leader of
the first Quebec French settlement, Samuel de Champlain,
constructed a formal fortified fur trading post in 1608. The
trading post flourished and grew into a thriving town, constructed
largely of wood, until in 1682 it was destroyed by fire.
Reconstruction was in fire-resistant stone, the buildings that
still stand today. Known as the market square, the site once again
became a hub of activity, until the end of the 19th century when
its importance declined. By 1950 the Place-Royale was a neglected,
decaying area. The Government then initiated a restoration
programme that has turned this historic site, known as the
'birthplace of French America', into one of the city's main
attractions. It features a clutch of interesting museums, living
history demonstrations and tours of historic buildings.
Address:
Interpretation Centre of Place-Royale, 27 Rue
Notre-Dame
Postcode:
Telephone:
Interpretation Centre: (418) 646 3167
Email:
Website:
www.mcq.org
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Description:
A panoramic bird's eye view of historic Québec City can be had
from the cabin of the Funicular that travels at an angle of 45º
from Louis Jolliet House in the heart of the old city to Dufferin
Terrace. The funicular has been an attraction in the city since the
original steam driven version was erected in 1879.
Address:
16 Rue du Petit Champlain
Postcode:
Telephone:
(418) 692 1132
Email:
Website:
www.funiculaire-quebec.com
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Description:
Guided walking tours of the three-mile (5km) long city wall that
surrounds the old city of Québec trace the evolution of the city's
defence system across three centuries. The walls are set with
interpretation panels. Quebec is the only fortified city in North
America and this fact contributed to its being named a World
Heritage City. Visitors can also view the Esplanade Powder
Magazine.
Address:
100 Rue Saint-Louis (tours depart from the Frontenac
kiosk, Dufferin Terrace)
Postcode:
Telephone:
(418) 648 7016
Email:
Website:
www.pc.gc.ca/fortifications
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Description:
Montreal's Old Port (Vieux Port de Montreal) is actually fairly
new, having had a major face-lift to make it the most popular site
for visitors to the city, drawing five million of them each year to
throng the bustling wharves. In the 19th century the port of Québec
on the St Lawrence was one of the most important in the world, with
thousands of ships and sailors passing through. There are still
plenty of boats in evidence but nowadays they are mainly tour
boats, ferries and even amphibious buses, which offer sailings
along the St Lawrence or around the port. Ferries cross to the Parc
des Iles, site of the Expo 67 world's fair, which lies in the St
Lawrence and offers family outdoor activities like picnic
facilities, swimming, skating or skiing in winter. The Old Port
itself is a thriving arts and entertainment venue where something
is always happening. It also offers a huge open-air skating rink,
Imax cinema, and a Science and Technology Center with interactive
displays. The port also has a vibey cafe culture. The clock tower
offers excellent views across the city and contains an exhibition
that traces Montreal's history. Around the port are the city's
original 17th-century fortifications, while characters in period
costume conduct guided tours through the streets and alleys
pointing out the points of historic significance.
Address:
333 Rue de la Commune Ouest
Postcode:
Telephone:
(418) 648 3640
Email:
Website:
www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca
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Description:
Billed as 'the museum of human adventure' this very popular
contemporary institution in the heart of the Québec historic
district is characterised by its innovative and daring outlook.
Using interactive technology its thematic exhibits cover all
aspects of the human experience, from fundamental issues to major
social problems of our times and various aspects of daily life.
Address:
85 Rue Dalhousie
Postcode:
Telephone:
(418) 643 2158
Email:
Website:
www.mcq.org
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Description:
Once the setting for bloody battles between the British and
French, the Plains of Abraham today serves as Quebec City's 'green
lung', a playground and peaceful arboreal retreat, and venue for a
variety of fairs and events. The park is to Québec what Central
Park is to New York, covering 108 hectares and planted with 6,000
trees. It also features monuments and interpretive centres. In
winter locals and visitors alike, as well as several ski-trails
enjoy a giant skating rink. Summertime is ideal for strolling the
fragrant gardens, jogging or rollerblading, and picnicking.
Address:
Discovery Pavilion, 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue
Postcode:
Telephone:
Discovery Pavilion: (418) 648 4071
Email:
Website:
www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca
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Description:
Just to the east of Québec City lies the spectacular Montmorency
Falls, plunging 272 feet (83m), one and a half times higher than
Niagara Falls. Besides a beautiful setting, the park also boasts
historic buildings and a variety of fun activities. A cable car
runs up to the historic Manoir Montmorency manor house, dating from
1781, where there is a restaurant, view terrace, interpretation
centre, reception rooms and boutiques. A suspension bridge hangs
directly across the falls, providing a breathtaking view, and a
second bridge gives access to the east side of the falls where
there are numerous viewpoints and trails.
Address:
Avenue Royale, Beauport
Postcode:
Telephone:
(418) 663 3330
Email:
Website:
www.sepaq.com/chutemontmorency
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Description:
The little island in the St Lawrence River, just 15 minutes from
downtown Québec City, is an historical treasure trove containing
600 heritage buildings. Algonquin natives called the island
'windigo', meaning 'bewitched corner', before French colonists
arrived in 1535 and named it for the Duke of Orleans. The island is
the ancestral home of more than 300 Quebecois families and still
has more than 7,000 inhabitants. A perimeter road called The Royal
Way, which extends across the Taschereau Bridge to the mainland,
connects all the six villages on the island. Visitors enjoy cycling
or driving around the island to marvel at panoramic views of the
river and explore sites like the oldest church in 'new France'.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
(418) 828 9411
Email:
Website:
www.iledorleans.com
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Description:
In close proximity to the Olympic Park, the Montreal Botanical
Garden is one of the largest of its kind, home to over 22,000 plant
species and roughly 30 exquisitely mapped out gardens, making it
well worth a visit any time of year. Begun in 1931 in the midst of
a financial crisis in the city, the Garden provided work for
thousands of unemployed Montrealers and has since developed into a
popular tourist attraction, with its astounding array of plants and
trees. An array of interesting sights and sounds await the visitor,
including the Tree House (highlighting the important role of trees
in our lives), a First Nations Garden (illustrating the interaction
of Inuit and Amerindians with nature), a Chinese Garden, the Quebec
Butterfly House, a Medicinal Plant Garden, Planetarium and so much
more.
Address:
4101 Sherbrooke East Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(514) 872 1400
Email:
Website:
www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin
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Description:
Quebec City's Lower Town (Basse-Ville) is the charming 'old
quarter' of the city, full of narrow, winding streets, historical
stone buildings, and an overwhelming array of trendy cafés, bars,
and boutique stores. The oldest urban district in Canada, Lower
Town has a distinctly European feel to it, and recent efforts to
gentrify the area have been undertaken with appropriate sensitivity
and class - resulting in postcard-perfect photo opportunities lying
in wait on every street corner. Lower Town is also home to many of
Quebec City's most celebrated sights and attractions - including
the Place Royale, and Petit Chamblain, with its must-see Funicular.
Lower Town, the heart and soul of Old Quebec, is a beguiling,
enchanting neighbourhood - and all visitors to Quebec City should
anticipate spending a lot of time walking its streets, and soaking
up its unique atmosphere.
Address:
On the banks of the St Lawrence River
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
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