Sep 23, 2021 鈥 6 min read
These fabulous neighborhoods make 蚕耻茅产别肠 City unique
Feb 24, 2024 鈥 7 min read
Petit-Champlain is one of 蚕耻茅产别肠 City鈥檚 most photogenic 鈥 and romantic 鈥 neighborhoods 漏 littlenySTOCK / Shutterstock
蚕耻茅产别肠 City is a capital city that has the vibe of a big, friendly village.
One of the most historic cities in North America, it鈥檚 best known for its peerless central district, Old 蚕耻茅产别肠, filled with French- and English-built buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, cobblestone streets and one of the most photographed hotels in the western hemisphere, the fabulous Ch芒teau Frontenac.
But 蚕耻茅产别肠 City is about far more than old stones: the town fills up each summer thanks to lively music festivals and sporting events. In any given month, art installations and ephemeral urban spaces pop up throughout the city, while each summer the shines a light on 17th-century 蚕耻茅产别肠 (known then as New France). In winter, provides a welcome festive escape from the gray days of winter, as the snow-covered buildings and streets transform into a magical winter wonderland.
Rather than national and international chains, small, locally owned businesses predominate here, lending its streets even more charm and uniqueness. And the innovations of 蚕耻茅产别肠 City鈥檚 thriving restaurant scene rival those of much bigger 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒.
It鈥檚 in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City鈥檚 lively neighborhoods that all this comes together. After you鈥檝e taken in the impressive historic sites and oh-so-European vibe, stay longer to see how life is lived differently in this most special place.
These are the best neighborhoods in 蚕耻茅产别肠 City.
Vieux 蚕耻茅产别肠 (Upper Town)
Best neighborhood for sightseeing
The only European-built fortified city north of Mexico, 蚕耻茅产别肠 City has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, with Upper Town the heart of Vieux 蚕耻茅产别肠. Perched atop a cliff over the St Lawrence River, the Terrace Dufferin offers fabulous views of the historic streets stretching out below, and the tower of the Ch芒teau Frontenac soaring up to the sky. Stop into Maison de la litt茅rature, a French-language library built inside an old church, then stroll the old ramparts, complete with cannons, and admire the views from atop the old city gates.
Upper Town is an ideal place to stay. Hotels are generally modern-contemporary in style, with guesthouses in a more traditional Qu茅b茅cois style (think heavy woods and antiques). and are appealing options in this neighborhood.
Petit-Champlain (Lower Town)
Best neighborhood for finding a souvenir
Lower Town is an amalgam of two even smaller neighborhoods: Petit-Champlain and Place-Royale. Here, three-story, Normandy-style stone houses from the 18th century have colorful red, gray and blue sloped metal roofs that flank cobblestone streets. I love strolling down the narrow alley-like cobblestone streets in Petit-Champlain, buying artisanal food items, shoes and trinkets from boutiques run by 蚕耻茅产别肠 artisans.
The Breakneck Steps, tucked into the corner of Rue de la Petit-Champlain and Rue Sous le fort, offer a popular way to get between Lower and Upper towns. I have a love-hate relationship with these stairs, which are a tourist attraction. I love the view of Petit-Champlain from the top 鈥 but hate the slipperiness of the wooden stairs in winter.
Place-Royale (Lower Town)
Best neighborhood for people-watching
Place-Royale is home to the first trading post and settlement established by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. On this public square, you鈥檒l find 脡glise Notre-Dame des Victoires (which made an appearance at the end of Catch Me If You Can); gem and handicraft boutiques; and a choice of cafe and restaurant patios. Place-Royale is also the main site of the New France Festival each August. I love sitting on the steps of the church, sipping chocolat chaud and watching the crowds of tourists walking around, some with guides, and many with phones raised to snap pictures of the 300-year-old buildings.
At the junction of Rue St-Pierre and Rue Sous le Fort, the Royal Battery is a quiet place to relax under the shade of a tree. Down Rue St-Pierre is the site of the first woman-owned business in New France, which Marie-Anne Barbel operated from 1745 to 1748. Today, its stone vault is home to Pub l鈥橭ncle Antoine, my favorite hang-out in the area. Order the French onion soup (it鈥檚 famous here) and a shot of maple whiskey while you enjoy the lively ambiance.
Vieux-Port
Best neighborhood for art and antiques
Part of historic Vieux 蚕耻茅产别肠, Vieux-Port (Old Port) was once home to many of the city鈥檚 banks. Mus茅e de la Civilisation is one of the city鈥檚 best, with a permanent exhibit highlighting 蚕耻茅产别肠 life, including that of its Indigenous peoples. You鈥檒l find a plethora of art galleries and antique shops here, many in old bank buildings; each summer, the galleries in the neighborhood host an arts walk on Rue du Sault-au-Matelot.
Behind this main drag, the alley of wooden staircases and walkways called Rue Sous le Cap is my favorite way to avoid the summer crowds in summer. The street leads to the back door of a diner I recommend, Le Buffet de l鈥橝ntiquaire. In the 18th century, the waters of the St Lawrence licked the back of the houses here (which now face Rue du Sault-au-Matelot). Residents had to build sheds against the cliff as a protection, erecting walkways over the skinny street to connect the sheds with their homes. Today, it鈥檚 an alley where residents park 鈥 but the wooden walkways and stairs remain, a silent reminder of 蚕耻茅产别肠 City鈥檚 inescapable history.
St-Roch
Best neighborhood for food
St-Roch is the neighborhood I gravitate to when the tourist season is in full swing and I need to be with locals. Its closeness to Vieux 蚕耻茅产别肠 makes it easy to get to on foot, and it鈥檚 also home to some of my favorite restaurants and cafes. I love the vibrant and young ambiance of this part of 蚕耻茅产别肠 City.
St-Roch is home to microbreweries and some of the best restaurants in town, including award-winning Battuto and l鈥橝ffair est Ketchup. I can often be found at 尘颈肠谤辞-迟辞谤谤茅蹿补肠迟别耻谤, which I love for its communal tables, rich chocolat chaud and fancy donuts. If I鈥檓 in the mood for cold brew, then I鈥檓 typing away from a table at , which turns into a cocktail bar at night. Clocher Pench茅 is one of my favorite French bistros, while the cocktails at speakeasy are delightful. is also a favorite indulgence.
St-Jean-Baptiste
Best neighborhood for a night out on the town
Follow Rue St-Jean past the old city gates and across Boulevard Honor茅-Mercier to reach St-Jean-Baptiste and its cornucopia of shops, restaurants, bars and pubs.
, the city鈥檚 best and oldest LGTBQI+ bar, is a club for everyone to enjoy. Sip drinks on the patio or dance from room to room inside. If you go on a weekend, you may catch a drag show. is a small Irish bar with exposed brick walls, wooden beams and an impressive selection of whiskey. I love for its beer, live music and food partnerships with nearby restaurants. , with its vaulted sculpted ceiling and delicious food menu, is another favorite.
Wherever you tipple, you鈥檒l want to plan on a post-drinking poutine stop at 鈥 which stays open until 4am.
Montcalm
Best neighborhood for arts and culture
Adjacent to the Plains of Abraham, where in an infamous 1759 battle the English defeated the French 鈥 kicking off centuries of resistance to anglicization in the province 鈥 the neighborhood of Montcalm is today a draw for culture lovers. Every summer, , one of Canada鈥檚 biggest music festivals, takes place on the lawns that occupy the former battlefield. This exciting event draws world-class acts 鈥 think Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, Three Days Grace and more.
Next to the Plains, the Mus茅e National des Beaux-Arts de 蚕耻茅产别肠 (MNBAQ) exhibits works by famous artists from 蚕耻茅产别肠 and around the globe. The Grand Th茅芒tre de 蚕耻茅产别肠 is a contemporary-style venue of concrete and glass offering opera, classical music and ballet, as well as contemporary musicians and comedians. On Grande-All茅e and Ave Cartier, you鈥檒l find restaurants and bars with busy summer patios 鈥 whether you鈥檙e headed to or from a cultural venue, or not.
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