One of the best things about visiting Quebec City is how easy it is to discover it on foot. Each neighbourhood has its own hidden treasures, and walking is the best way to get the most out of your visit. Here’s a short guide to one of the most emblematic areas of Quebec City after presenting you with another two self-guided walking tours in other parts:
- Photography Lover’s Self-Guided Walking Tour of Quebec City
- Historical Self-Guided Walking Tour of Quebec City
The Monastère-des-Ursulines de Québec
Start your visit on Saint-Louis Street, right next to the Château Frontenac. Oh, and before you start, why not take a tour of the famous castle? At the crossroads of Des Jardins Street, go to the Ursulines Monastery. This museum showcases the cultural legacy of the Ursulines de Québec.
The monastery chapel is impressively decorated. Its sculpted decor is one of the few examples of church interiors from the Nouvelle France period. Right next door to the museum, have you noticed the smallest house in Old Quebec City?
Price Building and the Morrin Centre
Continuing along Des Jardins Street to Sainte-Anne Street, you’ll pass Old Quebec City’s one and only skyscraper: the Price Building. This emblematic art-deco building was constructed at the turn of the 1930s. The building’s modern architectural style and height, unusual in Old Quebec City, caused much debate at the time.
The 18-storey building is 82 metres high (270 feet), making it the tallest building in the historic district of Old Quebec City. One of the floors serves as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Quebec when he’s in town. The building, which can be seen from virtually anywhere in Old Quebec, is an iconic feature of the Quebec City skyline.
Continuing along Sainte-Anne Street, you’ll discover Quebec City’s one and only English-language library: the Morrin Centre. More than a library, it’s a museum of Quebec City’s cultural and literary history.
Do not miss the guided tour here, it’s really amazing! You will have access to some of the most interesting parts of this building and learn a lot about its history (The Morrin Centre was a prison originally before becoming a university and then a library).
Gates of Quebec’s Fortifications
When you reach the end of Sainte-Anne Street, you’ll see the Porte Kent, one of the four gates of Quebec’s fortifications. Turn left up d’Auteuil Street and you’ll come to Parc de l’Esplanade, between Porte Kent and Porte Saint-Louis.
Nearby, you’ll come across Saint-Louis Street, one of the city’s oldest streets (its earliest mention dates to 1674, when it appears on an anonymous map). Filled with many good restaurants, Saint-Louis Street is a must when visiting Quebec City.
After spending some great time on this street, it’s across the Porte Saint-Louis that you’ll discover one of the city’s most famous landmarks: the Tourny fountain!
The Tourny Fountain
The Tourny fountain, installed on July 3, 2007, to mark Quebec City’s 400th anniversary in 2008, has quite a history. It began in France in 1855, when the mayor of Bordeaux commissioned the city of Dijon’s sculptor, Mathurin Moreau, to install two examples of the fountain, designed in 1853, at the ends of the Allées de Tourny in the centre of the city.
Almost 100 years later, in the 1960s, the fountains were removed to build an underground parking garage, then sold. One of the two fountains was relocated to Soulac-sur-Mer. The second one was not so fortunate in the immediate future.
It wasn’t until 2000 that Quebec businessman Peter Simons discovered it in an antique shop. Once restored, the fountain was donated to Quebec City by the Simons family (yeah, from the famous department store here) for its 400th anniversary celebrations.
Since its installation in front of the Quebec Parliament, the splendid fountain has become a must-see tourist attraction and a symbol of Quebec City. The fountain is also famous around the world. It was featured in a famous Korean TV show, Goblin, one episode of which was set in Old Quebec City.
This walking tour is pleasant in all seasons, but note that during winter, the Tourny fountain is protected from the cold and is no longer in function (it is covered by protective canvas). Summer and fall are the most pleasant time to visit Quebec City. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the fall colour season, it is truly beautiful.
For more self-guided tours, try these that I concocted especially for you:
- Photography Lover’s Self-Guided Walking Tour of Quebec City
- Historical Self-Guided Walking Tour of Quebec City
Check out our other tips about Quebec City here:
- Top 6 Quebec City Landmarks
- 7 Best Winter Hikes in Quebec
- 5 Best Places to See the Stars in Quebec
- 5 Best Day Trips from Quebec City – Nearest to Farthest
- Free Walking Tour in Quebec City: A Must-Do in the Capital
- Best Location to Stay in Quebec City
- 6 Best Bike Tours in Quebec City
What to Do in Quebec City region and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Quebec City region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Admire Quebec City’s largest waterfall and take a cable car to the top of the Montmorency Falls.
- Experience a unique walking adventure in the heart of Old Quebec and learn about its history.
- Discover the food, beverages, and vineyards of Île d’Orléans.
- Explore the wilderness near Quebec City with a hike in the Jacques-Cartier National Park.
- Introduce yourself to speed skating in Quebec City with top athletes on an inside ice ring.
- Ziplining above the Sainte-Anne canyon near Quebec City.
- Sleep comfortably at the Fairmont Château Frontenac and enjoy an incredible view of the St. Lawrence River.
- Enjoy a peaceful room at the Hilton Quebec and take a dip in the only year-round heated outdoor pool in Quebec City.
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Outaouais through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Do you want to learn more about visiting Quebec City? Take a look at our other pins!
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