Quebec City is capital of Quebec and the province’s second-largest city, after Montreal. One of the oldest cities in Canada, parts of its historic old town (Vieux-Quebec) are Unesco-listed, characterised by European-style churches, ramparts and fortified walls.
The city sits above the St Lawrence river; its highest point, Cape Diamond, is 103 metres above it. Divided into two parts, the Upper (Haute-Ville) and Lower Towns (Basse-Ville) each have a distinct flavour. They are connected by the Escalier steps and the Old Quebec Funicular.
The Lower Town has the ancient Notre Dame des Victoires church, the Petit Champlain district, the port, and the Musée de la Civilisation.
One of Quebec’s signature events is its spectacular winter carnival. The city comes alive in the snow, with concerts and night parades. There is no bad time to snap up Quebec flights however. Summers are warm and the "fall foliage" is beautiful.
Quebec City is celebrating its 400th birthday this year. Events include a nightly son-et-lumière show telling the story of Quebec; formal events to mark the date the city was founded (on July 3); and a closing extravaganza by Cirque du Soleil.
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Summer temperatures range between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures plummet to between -25 and -5 degrees Celsius. Quebec City and its people make the most of the winter weather – the January average is 78cm - whooping it up with Winter Carnival, lots of skiing, an Ice Hotel and toboggan rides past the swankiest hotel in town.
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Peak Season:
Late June to September. This is when most visitors step off Quebec City flights. The principal summer festivals are on during this time - the Summer Festival (July 8-18), the International Firework Festival (July 24-August 11); and the New France Celebrations (August 4-8).
Off Season:
November to April, unless you are a skier (see below for details on the four resorts close to the city) or wish to enjoy the Winter Carnival.
Shoulder season:
Extends from May to the middle of June and from mid-September to October.
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There is a taxi and limo service with fares about $30. All the major hire-car companies are represented at the airport including Avis, Hertz, Budget and Thrifty. There is currently no city transit or shuttle service downtown from the airport.
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Two legs good. Walking is the preferred way to see the sights. There are also bicycle tours through the most historic parts of the city. Quebec will inaugurate the Route Verte in the summer. The Route Verte is a network of cycling trails that connect 16 regions and passes through 320 municipalities.
Réseau de transport de la Capitale runs the public bus system. Buses run between 6am and 1am. There are also some night buses at the weekend.
The funicular links Basse-Ville to the upper part of Old Quebec.
Taxis can be hailed at taxi ranks, at the airport, or on the street in Old Quebec.
Budget, Avis, Discount and Kangouroute car-rental companies all operate here.
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- Quebec transforms into a winter wonderland for its Winter Carnival (January 30-February 15 2009). The snowy season is celebrated with parades, snow sculptures, an ice palace, snow rafting, dogsledding and an old-fashioned marketplace with greeters in period costume. The mascot is Bonhomme Carnaval, a cheery snowman who wears traditional garb.
- There are four large ski resorts close to Quebec City. Mont-Sainte-Anne has 64 ski trails on three mountain sides and the highest vertical elevation for night skiing in Canada. It is a half-hour drive from the city. Stoneham with 32 trails on four mountains is a mere 20-minute drive. Le Relais is even closer – a 15-minute drive. Le Massif is 45 minutes east of the city.
- Higher than Niagara Falls, Montmorency Falls are in a provincial park at the mouth of the Montmorency River where it falls over the cliff into the Saint Lawrence River. Viewing is from a footbridge, cable car or viewing platform. Just a few miles from the falls in Lac St. Joseph's Station Touristique Duchesnay, 30 minutes west of downtown Quebec is the Ice Hotel (January-April) made of 500 tons of ice and 15,000 tons of snow. Inside the hotel it is a toasty -2 to –5 degrees.
- Quirky ways to get around include tobogganing past the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. A four-person toboggan costs $8 per run ($2 per person) between December and mid-March (11am to 11pm). See old Quebec from the Funicular, which offers a direct link between Dufferin Terrace, le quartier Petit-Champlain, la Place Royale and the harbour area. Climb the 170 Breakneck Steps (Escalier Casse-Cou) which link the Upper Town and Lower Town.
- Edifice Marie-Guyart, a government office, is Quebec City’s highest building. There is a public, indoor observatory at 750 feet above sea level that offers unrestricted views of the city. Admission costs $4 and guided tours are available.
- Witness the changing of the guard, hear the music and see Batisse, the regimental goat, at La Citadelle. The guards change every morning (between June 24 and the first Monday in September) at 10am. Admission costs about $10.
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