A North American treasure, Quebec offers culture, history, and cuisine that give you the feeling of a European vacation without leaving the continent. Experiences can make you feel like you’re in the French countryside, walking along a charming European shopping street, or having a civilized British afternoon tea, all without leaving North America. Here are some of our ideas for the best ways to experience Europe in Quebec.
Visit A Chateau Or Manoir
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a Québec City icon and the most photographed hotel in the world. On a promontory with lovely views of the St. Lawrence River, the Château oozes with old world European charm blended with modern North American amenities. The hotel rests on the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Archaeological Site, which was the official residence and seat of the French and British governors for more than two centuries. Another picturesque property, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu rests near the lovely village of La Malbie in the scenic Charlevoix region. Tucked away amid mountains and forests, Le Manoir also has gorgeous views of the St. Lawrence River. Enjoy the view over the bluff, play golf on the expansive course, have a cocktail or afternoon repast in this historic French-style castle, and you’ll feel like you’re on a luxurious European vacation.
Stroll Along European-Style Shopping Streets
Wherever you go in Quebec, you will find charming shopping streets that feel like you are strolling in Europe. In Quebec City wander through Rue du Trésor, a street of artists that serves as an outdoor gallery reminiscent of Place du Tertre in the Montmartre quarter of Paris. Rue Saint-Jean is lined with delightful boutiques, specialty food shops, apparel stores, and souvenir vendors. Quartier Petit Champlain is North America’s oldest shopping district dating back to the 17th century. Its cobblestone walking streets are lined with artisan shops, art galleries, restaurants, and historic homes.
Montreal’s famous Sainte-Catherine Street has a concentration of shopping, people-watching, dining, and entertainment. While English shops and department stores favored the west end of the street, well-known French brands set up shop on the east end. Today, you will find the main boulevard of commerce in Montreal along Sainte-Catherine Street. It’s filled with delightful boutiques, international and Canadian stores, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, theaters, cinemas, and more, with the ambiance of a modern European shopping zone.
Immerse Yourself In Quebec’s Old City
The fortified city of Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage site well worth exploring. You can walk around and survey the walls and gates that encircle the Old City. They were built some 400 years ago by the French for protection. The Place Royale is the location of the first settlement of the French in North America. It’s the location where Samuel de Champlain resided when he first arrived, and it is also home to Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America. The Old Port offers another wonderful place to get a feel for the connection between Quebec and Europe. Plenty of small shops, sidewalk cafés, and art galleries fill the port area with activity. Rue Sainte-Paul, originally home to warehouses and wholesalers, is now a busy shopping street that is something of an antiques district with antiques dealers, art galleries, and art deco accessories shops galore.
Head To Charlevoix
The charming region of Charlevoix, Quebec, offers another experience of the province that gives a European vibe to a less populous region. Charlevoix sits between the St. Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains, providing beautiful views in every direction. The rolling hills, small farms, and villages dot the land. The St. Lawrence waterway offers opportunities for sailing and even whale watching. Baie-St-Paul is a great place to start. This delightful town has a main street loaded with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and shops with handcrafted local products. You’ll likely stay at a gite or an auberge, which feels very much like a French country inn. Take a drive through the beautiful countryside to La Malbie, a vacation resort town favored by the English and Scottish upper crust. This small and beautiful town also hosted the G7 summit, though most visitors are attracted to the gorgeous scenery and year-round activities.
Visit Île d’Orléans
A sense of the French countryside awaits when you visit the island of Île d’Orléans, where a few hundred French families made their home in the 1700s. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to rural France, viewing the scenery and charming heritage homes that dot the land. We were delighted by discovering many artisan outlets and farm stands around the island and trying many delicious local products. You can take a bus tour or drive around Île d’Orléans to get a real feel for this birthplace of French North America. Over 600 historic buildings that have been restored and preserve the history of the French founding families in the area. Foodies will love the gastronomic bounty of the island. Stop at a cider house, pick up some fresh cheese, enjoy seasonal fruit, tasty wine, and delicious chocolate from friendly producers throughout the island. Even better, pick up some goodies and have a countryside picnic while looking out at the St. Lawrence River.
Montmorency Falls Park
While Quebec’s European character easily reminds us of France, we also discovered a significant spirit of Britain here. One fantastic place to visit is the beloved Montmorency Falls Park, where General Wolfe’s British troops camped before embarking on the famous Battle of the Plains of Abraham. The stunning waterfall is nearly 250 feet high, and the park is a lovely place to explore the natural beauty of Quebec. History buffs will enjoy visiting Manoir Montmorency, once called Kent House after Queen Victoria’s father, the Duke of Kent. Enjoy a lavish Sunday brunch or grab a pub meal and pint at Pub Kent House.
Cathedral of The Holy Trinity
It’s fascinating to see both French and British history come to life through the many churches and buildings that occupy Quebec. One of the most important churches in British history is the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the first Anglican cathedral to be built outside the British Isles. Constructed in the first few years of the 1800s, it was surprisingly designed by British Artillery officers who modelled it after the famous church St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Inside, we loved The King’s Gift exhibition of a gorgeous silver Communion Service given to the Cathedral by King George III. The cathedral is also home to a rare English chamber organ built in 1790. And the stunning stained glass windows, many of them created in London, cast a lovely light on the many monuments to British officers, nobles, and blue bloods.
Dine on French Cuisine
From bistros to boulangeries, French cuisine infuses Quebec with European flavor. No matter where you are in Quebec, delicious dining and exceptional ambiance will make you feel you’re immersed in Europe. Whether you want traditional French haute cuisine, modern French food, or a French-inspired meal with a distinctly Canadian flair, you’ll find it in Quebec. Here are a few suggestions to savor the flavor of a European getaway in Quebec.
Restaurant Bonaparte is located in Old Montreal near Pointe à Callière. You can enjoy traditional French culinary favorites, or indulge in a glorious Menu Dégustation, a six-course tasting menu with a little bit of everything. Les Labours Restaurant in Baie-St-Paul, Charlevoix, takes the farm-fresh country French tradition and puts it in the center of the action. The kitchen is open on all sides, and diners can sit at tables or at the four-sided counter that surrounds the chef and his team. We talked with the chef about his cooking philosophy and favorite ingredients as he prepared seasonal dishes inches away. The menu changes with the season, and the kitchen team uses fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown in the restaurant garden as well as those from responsible local producers. And for a unique experience of inspired culinary excellence, you’ll be delighted by the menu and ambiance of Chez Boulay Boreal. The French chefs bring years of French culinary training and add a passion for the distinct ingredients procured from the boreal forests of the northern territories into a stunning display of inventive cuisine. We had a whimsical meal that included new tastes like the delicious cloudberry that we had never tried before.
Have A Proper British Afternoon Tea
On a trip to Britain, you would want to enjoy the sumptuous experience of a delightful afternoon tea. Montreal takes on a British accent with wonderful teatime options as well. The Cardinal Tea Room takes the form of a refined English study from the 1920s. Period furniture and antique china enhance the authentic menu that includes classic scones with clotted cream, cucumber sandwiches, deviled eggs, and teas for every taste. The Queen Elizabeth Hotel Fairmont’s Rosélys is another great spot for a proper British afternoon tea. The menu offers some updated classic teatime treats and as well as a “royal tea” that includes a flute of champagne. The Tea Experience in the Palm Court of the Ritz Carlton offers a truly exceptional experience that feels like an elegant celebration of the British tradition with delightful finger sandwiches and pastries made by one of Canada’s most celebrated pastry chefs.
A European Vacation Close To Home
For a magical journey that feels delightfully European, visit Quebec. You’ll enjoy the feeling of being transported without ever leaving North America.
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