Québec: Old Québec, Fortifications and River Promenade

Québec offers a range of highlights for a stay: the historic district of Old Québec, the fortifications, the Citadelle de Québec, the Aquarium du Québec and activities along the St. Lawrence River. The sites and visiting conditions differ: the fortifications have several access points, the Citadelle’s military base can only be accessed as part of a guided tour, and the opening conditions for the river promenade may depend on the weather.

Old Québec and its Fortifications

The historic district of Old Québec is a contiguous, well-preserved urban area of about 135 hectares. It is considered one of the best examples of a fortified colonial city north of Mexico. This scale makes a historical visit an exploration of an entire district, rather than a stay at just one building. If you are interested in history and urban structure, you can therefore plan Old Québec as a focus of its own during your time in Québec.

The fortifications of Québec include walls, gates and parks, with several access points spread throughout the historic district. You can begin your visit at the reception centre in Artillery Park, 2 Rue d’Auteuil, and speak with a guide there. This gives you a specific starting point for finding your way around the fortifications. Alternatively, you can begin your visit at one of the other access points.

Guided Tour of the Citadelle

The Citadelle de Québec has its own access requirement: the military base can only be entered as part of a guided tour. Keep this in mind when planning a visit to the Citadelle; independent access to the military base is not possible. This clearly distinguishes the visit from getting oriented at the fortifications’ access points spread throughout the historic district.

Aquarium du Québec

The Aquarium du Québec displays 10,000 specimens from hundreds of different species of marine mammals, fish and invertebrates. It is located in Sainte-Foy, within Québec City. This adds a visit focused on the animals on display to your historical itinerary. If you are taking different interests into account when planning your stay, the variety of species offers a concrete counterpoint to Old Québec and its fortifications.

Getting Out Along the St. Lawrence River

The Samuel-De Champlain Promenade runs for 6.8 km along the St. Lawrence River, provides public access to the river and offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and water sports. It is located in the Sainte-Foy–Sillery–Cap-Rouge borough of Québec City. The activities suit different ways of enjoying a stay by the river: you can include the promenade in your plans for a walk, a bike ride or water sports. Also consider its 6.8 km length when planning your day. As opening conditions may depend on the weather, check what applies on your planned visit date.

Choose Hotels in Québec Based on Your Visit Plans

First decide how important Old Québec and the fortifications, a guided tour of the Citadelle, the aquarium in Sainte-Foy or activities along the river promenade are to you. This will help you tailor your search to your plans and assess which location suits your own daily itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Charlesbourg, Wendake.

Back to the regional travel overview: Communauté-Urbaine-De-Québec.