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Le Chateau-Frontenac Sunset in the Old City 1 |
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Quebec City
is the vibrant capital city of the province of Quebec,
filled with historic sites and a thriving arts and culture scene. Set along
the St.
Lawrence River, Quebec City received its name from an Algonquin word
Kebec, meaning where the river narrows. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 1985 and millions of visitors flock to this cultural mecca to obtain
a glimpse into the history of New France.
French culture is prominent in the city and most of the population is Francophone
with many in the tourist industry also speaking English. Popular tourist attractions
include the Fairmont
Le Chateau Frontenac, Vieux-Quebec or Old Quebec, churches, museums,
shops, restaurants and Le
Carnaval de Quebec, or Quebec Winter Carnival. In 2008, the city will
mark its 400th Anniversary, celebrating its past and looking towards the future.
Quebec City is fairly easy to navigate with several accommodation options available
from intimate B&Bs to luxury hotels and resorts. The WorldWeb.com
Travel Guide provides information about various lodging choices when
staying in Quebec City and can assist travellers by providing the following
services:
1. Accommodation
Directory Users will be able to view a large inventory of accommodations
found in the Quebec City area including links to websites and information on
amenities and services provided.
2. Reservations
Save time by using this secure online reservation system, allowing travellers
to check room availability and book their stay.
3. Maps
This service allows travellers to pin-point accommodation locations in relation
to major attractions, restaurants, shops and services in the area.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Quebec boasts over 12,000 lodging facilities for guests, allowing both the business
and pleasure traveller a wide assortment of choices. Affordable accommodations
can be found at most locations during the low season from November to April
with the exception of February, when the Winter Carnival takes place. Other
expensive times include the high seasons of summer and Christmas. If visiting
during the Winter Carnival it is best to reserve ahead of time, with some accommodations
filling up as far as one year in advance. It is, however, possible to find last
minute deals at various lodgings but prices may be very high. The Corporation
de l'industrie touristique du Quebec (CITQ), have implemented a rating system
for all types of accommodations throughout the province. All tourist accommodation
operators are required to have an official classification certificate that replaces
the operating permit used in the past, and display a corresponding sign outside
the building in a visible place. Classifications are based on international
standards and criteria that evaluate all features of accommodations including
bedrooms, meals and more. A star rating is used for hotels, vacation homes,
chalets and youth hostels and is ranked from one-star, meeting basic needs,
to five-star, providing exceptional services and facilities. A sun rating system
is used for B&Bs, rating them from one to four suns.
TRANSPORTATION
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Stone
Houses in Old Quebec 2 |
Car
Quebec City is easily accessible and once in the city, is very navigable. Two
major highways provide access to the city: Highway 20 (autoroute Jean-Lesage),
which travels along the south shore of the St.
Lawrence River, and Highway 40 (autoroute Felix-Leclerc), which provides
north shore access. Rental car services including Avis,
Budget, Hertz Canada and Thrifty are readily available at the Aeroport
de Quebec-Jean-Lesage International Airport or around the city.
Parking can be difficult in the Vieux-Quebec district and it is advisable to
watch for signs indicating times when parking is permissible. Convenient parking
lots include one next to Hotel de Ville (City Hall), which is free in the evenings
and on weekends. On Rue Cyrille, Complexe G offers twice daily in and out privileges
at no extra cost, and on Rue Dalhousie in Lower Town, across from the Musee
de la Civilisation (Museum of Civilization), discounts are offered on
weekends.
Taxi
Taxis can be hailed in front of large hotels and at large squares or by locating
a taxi stand. Stands are found at Place
d'Armes or in front of City Hall.
Bus
Bus transportation includes Intercar
servicing destinations along the Cote-Nord (North Shore) with links to Saguenay,
Lac-Saint-Jean
and Charlevoix. Orleans
Express Coach provides a link between Quebec City and Montreal.
Bus stations are found at the Gare
d'Autobus de la Vieille Capitale and the Sainte-Foy
Terminal. Within the city, bus route 7 travels along Rue St. Jean and
route 8 takes passengers into suburban Ste. Foy, where shopping centres can
be found. Route 11 travels along the
Grande Allee/Rue St. Louis.
A funicular,
an inclined railway has a track between the Terrasse
Dufferin (Dufferin Terrace) and the Quartier
du Petit-Champlain and connects the two sectors of Haute-Ville (Upper
Town) and Basse-Ville (Lower Town) (see below, Orientation). Catch the funicular
at the upper station in front of the Chateau Frontenac and Place d'Armes and
in the lower station inside the Maison
Louis Jolliet, a historic house on Rue du Petit-Champlain.
Train
VIA
Rail provides transportation between Quebec City and Toronto,
Ottawa and Montreal.
For American visitors, take Amtrak to Montreal and then transfer to a VIA Rail
train. Two main stations are located in the city and include Central Station,
(Gare du Palais, 450, de la Gare du Palais) and Sainte-Foy Station (3255, chemin
de la Gare).
Air
The Jean-Lesage International Airport accommodates daily flights into the city.
Direct flights are available from major Canadian, American and International
cities including Toronto, Montreal, Boston,
New Jersey
and Paris. Major
|
Quebec City to ... |
Distance |
Est.
Time* |
| Halifax |
1069
km (688 mi) |
12 hr 57 min |
| Montreal |
253
km (151 mi) |
3
hr 41 min |
| Ottawa |
450
km (270 mi) |
6
hr 22 min |
| Toronto |
766
km (476 mi) |
10
hr 54 min |
| Boston |
610
km (381 mi) |
8
hr 35 min |
| Chicago
|
1625
km (1016 mi) |
20
hr 53 min |
| New
York |
839
km (524 mi) |
10
hr 8 min |
|
Philadelphia |
987
km (617 mi) |
11
hr 49 min |
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Quebec
City Distance Table c/o Quebec Ville et Region
(*Estimated driving time) |
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carriers include
Air
Canada, Air Labrador,
Air
Inuit,
Delta,
Continental Express,
Northwest
Airlines and
Air
Transat.
WHERE TO STAY
Quebec City is divided into two sectors, Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower
Town (Basse-Ville) and together, these areas form what is called Vieux-Quebec
or Old Quebec. Both are connected by a funicular that is found on the Terrasse
Dufferin, a pedestrian-only boardwalk, located in Upper Town that provides views
of the St. Lawrence River and of Lower Town. Tourists can find accommodations,
restaurants, shops and services in these two areas. Walking is the best way
to see Quebec City with public transportation including buses and taxis available
for bad weather or farther trips.
Upper Town
Enclosed by fortification walls, with century-old buildings, the Upper Town
creates a historic feel and charm for travellers visiting the area. It is here
that visitors can find the famous Quebec City landmark, the Fairmont Le Chateau
Frontenac as well as Basilique
Notre-dame-de-Quebec, Place d'Armes, Musee
de l'Amerique Francaise and more. Main Streets in Upper Town include
Ste. Anne, St. Jean and St. Louis. Rue St. Louis becomes Boulevard Grande Allee
outside the city walls, passing the Parliament building, the location of the
Winter Carnival, restaurants, bars and other sites. Large, modern hotels are
found on or near the Grande Allee.
Many small hotels and inns can be found within the walls of Upper Town. These
types of accommodations are sometimes family-run and some offer breakfast. A
room with a shared bathroom can also lower the cost of staying.
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| Place
Royal at Night 3 |
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Lower Town
Lower Town is the oldest neighbourhood in North America, the beginnings of New
France. Popular spots include the attractive restored square, Place
Royale, once used as the public forum and market, Notre-dame-des-Victoires
(Our Lady of Victories) and the Museum of Civilization. Tour the boardwalks
of Quebec's Old
Port (Vieux-Port) or along one of the major streets in Lower Town including
St. Pierre, Dalhousie, St. Paul and St. Andre. As mentioned above, the funicular
connects Lower and Upper Town or for the active traveller take the steep and
climbing streets of Cote de la Montagne and Escalier Casse-Cou.
Boutique hotels and small inns can be found in Lower Town. Several B&Bs found
in and around Old Quebec are also available. When staying at a B&B, be sure
and check about requirements such as minimum stay, deposit and if credit cards
are accepted.
Outside Vieux-Quebec
In general, large chain hotels and motels are found outside the city walls and
are more expensive. Efficient public transportation connects these districts
to tourist attractions found in the historic older area of the city. Abundant
accommodations can be found on the following streets: Rue Ste. Ursule, St. Louis,
Ste. Anne and Rue de la Porte. Outside the walls of Old Quebec are also residential
and commercial areas and near the Grande Allee is the Assemblee
Nationale (Provincial Parliament) buildings.
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French Language
Accommodation Terms
Complet no vacancy
Entree entrance
Halte routiere rest stop
Sortie exit
Stationnement parking
Une chambre a room
Avec salle de bain with a bathroom
Avec cuisinette with a kitchenette
Bureau du tourisme tourist office
Auberge country inn
Gite B&B
En suite/privee private bathroom Partagee/commune shared bathroom
Fumeur/non fumeur - smoking/non-smoking
Toilette - bathroom/toilet
Aujourd'hui - today
Demain - tomorrow
Quels sont vos prix? - what is the price?
Dejeuner - breakfast
Diner - lunch
Souper - dinner
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NOTABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Quebec City Convention Centre
Business travellers can take advantage of the centrally located Quebec
City Convention Centre, located across from the Parliament Building
on the Boulevard Rene-Levesque Est. The centre is within walking distance to
many attractions and services including boutiques, restaurants, museums, nightclubs
and tourist sites. Major facilities include an exhibition hall, convention hall,
multi-purpose room and meeting rooms. Leading edge technology and equipment
is available to guests such as security and safety measures including camera
surveillance and electromagnetic card access to rooms. Personalized attention
and support from staff as well as food and beverage services are also offered.
A unique feature of the convention centre is how it is linked to an underground
walkway connecting the building to the two major hotels, the Hilton
Quebec and the Delta
Quebec Centre.
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| Quebec
Parliament 4 |
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Ice Hotel
For a unique experience, stay at the
Ice Hotel Quebec, an entire hotel constructed from ice and snow, located
just outside of Quebec City on the shores of Lake St. Joseph. Its 1.2 m (4-ft)
thick walls act as an insulator, keeping the hotel at a constant temperature
between -2°C to -5°C (28°F to 23°F) regardless of how cold it gets outside.
All furniture, including the beds are crafted from ice. Ice beds are lined with
a blanket or animal skins and then sleeping bags are provided to guests, keeping
them warm. It is suggested to sleep in synthetic materials including a toque
and socks. The hotel has also prepared a guide instructing guests on how to
dress for Quebec winters and while staying in the hotel. In general, dressing
in layers is advised, with a first layer of thermal underwear, made from synthetics
or wool, a second layer of wool or fleece such as sweaters and then a final
layer protecting the individual from wind and moisture such as a ski jacket.
Hats, gloves and boots are also recommended. Heated rooms are available for
luggage storage as well as shower facilities and changing rooms. Inside, visitors
can enjoy ice sculptures and paintings, the N'Ice Club, ABSOLUT Ice Bar, boutiques
and other services including weddings at the Ice Chapel. Public tours are available
in French and English, allowing visitors to explore this winter marvel and learn
interesting facts about the hotel.
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
This historic castle-style hotel is a Quebec City landmark, dating back to 1893
and overlooking the city atop Cap Diamant. Luxury rooms, complete with regal
decor and furnishings are available to guests staying at the chateau. Famous
guests include King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Princess Grace of Monaco,
British director Alfred Hitchcock, former President Ronald Regan and more. Canadian
Pacific Railway began construction of the hotel in the late 19th century and
the Chateau was named after the French Governor, Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac.
Today, Le Chateau Frontenac continues to offer exceptional services and amenities
and provides a beautiful backdrop in Quebec City's skyline.
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| Quebec
City Horizon 5 |
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- c/o Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; Fairmont Le Chateau-Frontenac Sunset in
the Old City; Quebec City, QC, Canada
- World Web Travel Guide; Stone Houses in Old Quebec; Quebec City, QC, Canada
- World Web Travel Guide; Place Royal at Night; Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Yves Tessier-Tessima; c/o Quebec City Tourism; Quebec Parliament; Quebec
City, QC, Canada
- World Web Travel Guide; Quebec City Horizon; Quebec City, QC, Canada
Canada
