More than four centuries ago, French colonists founded Québec City as the center of New France, and the region retained its French character, culture and language even after the British took over 150 years later. The city also kept the fortifications that surround Old Québec, making it the only existing walled city north of Mexico. While the Old City received UNESCO World Heritage honors in 1985, the real facelift came in anticipation of its 400th anniversary in 2008.
Similar to many restored old towns in Europe, Québec City has farm-to-fork restaurants and modern art galleries sharing the same cobblestone streets as antique shops, historic buildings and centuries-old architecture. Though French remains the predominant language, a largely bilingual younger generation puts a friendlier face on tourism that contrasts the classic French amiability of its elder class. For a taste of Europe in the Americas, the crown jewel of French Canada awaits.
Day One
Morning
Old Québec is the star attraction on any visit to the provincial capital, but head out early before the camera-toting tourist hordes overrun the streets. Begin the day at the French bakery Paillard on Rue Saint-Jean with a chocolate croissant, éclair or cronut (a croissant-doughnut hybrid), which cost between three and four Canadian dollars (at 1.16 CAD to the U.S. Dollar). From there, head south and stroll down Rue Saint-Louis for European charm reminiscent of a Hollywood movie set. Boutique shopping abounds on streets like Côte de la Fabrique and Rue de Buade, and the antiques district is on Rue Saint-Paul just outside the walls. If checking out antiques, visit the wildly eclectic Machin Chouette, which also sells repurposed items like a cupboard made from an old henhouse. Art galleries can be found throughout the entire city, but explore the narrow Rue du Trésor for open-air art displays born of enterprising young artists in the 1960s. For lunch, grab a French-style sandwich or quiche at Chez Temporel, a classic café that opened on Rue Couillard more than 40 years ago.
Afternoon
A large part of Québec City is split between Upper Town and Lower Town. The terms reference the difference between elevations, and, in years past, income brackets. Nearly 30 grueling sets of stairs separate the two. One such set, the 59-step Breakneck Stairs near the Dufferin Terrace, dates back to 1635. Descend the steep stairway to arrive at Petit-Champlain, the oldest shopping district in North America. For a taste of the old neighborhood, step back in time at the Place Royale from which Samuel de Champlain founded the city in 1608, and then check out the massive Petit-Champlain mural that recounts key neighborhood events in trompe-l’œil style. After exploring Québec’s birthplace, take the funicular back up the cliffside and head southwest to explore the star-shaped Citadelle. Finish the afternoon by ascending the stairs at Rue Saint-Louis and Côte de la Citadelle for a stroll along the fortress walls.
Evening
Just outside the walls on Côte d’Abraham grab a table at La Grolla, a romantic French-Swiss restaurant. For dinner, resist the temptation to order fondue and indulge with a bottle of wine from the extensive list of European labels and wallow in the melted-cheese goodness of the raclette, which few restaurants in North America do better. After, walk 10 minutes down Rue Saint-Jean for draft beers and live jazz at the offbeat Fou-Bar. If it is warm out, continue a block down the same street to enjoy the quirky outdoor terrace at Le Sacrilege, a bar defiantly positioned across from a small church. For your nightcap, head south toward the river to find Grande Allée, a popular restaurant-and-nightlife street whose options include the Maurice Nightclub in a century-old building.
Day Two
Morning
Montcalm, an Upper Town neighborhood west of the Old City, is the newly christened Arts District of Québec. Start the day here at the Les Halles du Petit food hall on Rue Cartier. Order a coffee and muffin at Brulerie Rousseau, and stock up for lunch with items from its many gourmet vendors. Buy a baguette from Eric Borderon, arguably the best baker in the city, and charcuterie and cheese (ideally Canada’s award-winning baluchon cheese) at Aux Petits Délices. For dessert, find artisanal chocolates and pastries at Anna Pierrot. Following this tastebud-tingling trip to Les Halles, explore the many Montcalm markets, galleries and boutique shops. Do not skip the innovative home store Zone at Rue Cartier and Boulevard René Lévesque for quirky items like polar bear candles and squirrel-shaped clocks.