The Grand Tour «

The Grand Tour is meant for those who spend either just a few hours or many days in Quebec City. Its intent is to provide a good understanding of the history and the everyday-life of this World Heritage Site that is Old Quebec City. Along the way historical drawings and sketches are made use of (where displayed) to help you better understand nuances between past and present. While emphasis is placed upon history: activities, museums, nightlife and so on are covered. Groups are never to exceed 15 people per departure and The Grand Tour is always conducted on a leasurely paced downhill path. We highly recommend that you begin your stay by joining the Grand Tour!

Here follows a detailed acccount of the areas and landmarks covered during the Grand Tour. Do keep in mind that a few of the sites mentioned might not always be accessible due to conditions beyond our control. For ease of movement and hearing, our route may vary somewhat from day to day.

The Grand Tour starts from Place d'Armes (Armoury Square), right at the heart of the Old Town, with a general introduction to the history of Quebec City and its importance in time. The Dufferin Terrace with its breathtaking view of surrounding landscapes, the St-Lawrence River and the Citadel (star-shaped fort built in the 1820s) follow. The tour then curves around famous Chateau Frontenac and enters the shades of the Governors' Garden. At this point, next to the unique Wolfe-Montcalm monument, The Grand Tour pauses to recapture a few of the most notorious events and people in Canadian history whether they came to life on the Plains of Abraham or at nearby Chateau Frontenac.

From then on, it follows the charming streets and alleys of the Old Town and introduces the peculiar architectural elements and restrictions applied to Old Quebec City. It cuts through such hidden courtyards as the Old Bastion of the Mill (a defensive system built in 1693) and reaches St-Louis Street before proceeding passed "La Maison du Général", a remeniscence of the 1775-76 Invasion Army commissioned by George Washington himself.

The Grand Tour then reaches for St-Louis Gate which serves as one of six entrances to the Old City. Nearby St-Louis Gate, the tour makes a right turn onto Ste-Ursule Street to access the courtyard of the Ursuline Sisters. It is time for rich anecdotes, in hushed tones, resulting from the Ursulines' presence in Town since 1639. When possible, a peek at their beautiful chapel with nearly 300 year-old interior is commended! All the while, your guide makes sure that you don't miss interesting hidden particularities of buildings as seen through his/her experienced eyes.

Thereafter The Grand Tour meanders down narrow Donnacona and des Jardins streets before entering the courtyard of Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral (1804). Next come City Hall and its castle-like architecture. Across City Hall square, it enters the interior courtyard of the Seminary without forgetting relevant and interesting facts about Basilica Notre-Dame de Québec (the first Roman Catholic Cathedral erected north of Mexico). Exiting the Seminary through the narrow winding streets of the once-called Latin Quarter, it proceeds along the northern portion of the defensive walls to capture the prominent past of Quebec City's port.

Always following a downhill path The Grand Tour reaches St-Paul Street and enters the Antique Dealers District where very good restaurants are located. It then follows old Sous-le-Cap Street, once used by Benedict Arnold during the siege of 1775, before entering the former financial district of St-Pierre Street with its imposing architecture. The Museum of Civilization stands nearby.

The final destination is the oldest part of Quebec City: Place Royale. Being the town's birthplace, time is made to explain the restoration work involved as well as quaint Notre-Dame-des-victoires church (built in 1688). Before coming to an end, the Grand Tour curves towards Sous-le-fort Street and reaches the very foot of Cap Diamant with the ever imposing Chateau Frontenac towering above.

As the tour comes to an end, participants may elect to spend some more time in the Lowertown, go for a boat or ferry ride or simply return to Place d'Armes (the Funiculaire and the Breakneck staircase are located nearby). You may also wish to share a few more anecdotes and comments with your guide. Whatever you decide, we can assure you that the Grand Tour will constitute one of the highlights of your stay in Quebec City. See you on The Grand Tour!