Quebec City Self-Guided Driving Tour

Welcome to the Quebec City Tour

Discover a slice of Old Europe in North America with this tour of Quebec City, the City of Saints! Drive along the sparkling Saint Lawrence River, explore the cobbled streets and stone walls of Old Quebec, and visit must-see spots like the Musée Des Beaux Arts. Along the way, you’ll learn about the long history of this iconic city, from the earliest explorer to the struggles and uncertainty of the 18th and 19th centuries. Quebec truly is like nowhere else on the continent!

About the Tour

your tour of Quebec City begins in the parking area directly across from Parc Notre dame de la Garde. From there, you’ll drive along the Saint Lawrence River until you reach the Petit Champlain quarter. Dating back to the 17th century, this historic district is the oldest shopping district in North America!

Next up is Place Royale, where you’ll learn about French King Louis XIV and his peculiar contribution to the flourishing of what was then known as New France. As you drive through Old Quebec, you’ll get to know the different sections of the city and why early settlers chose to build it in the way that they did.

You can’t miss the gorgeous City Hall, up next, which combines the second empire and the chateau architectural styles into something truly striking. Then there’s the Morrin Centre, which today is the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, but was once the first prison in Quebec.

As you continue on, you’ll drive along the fortifications erected in the early 1800s to protect against possible invasion by the United States. These walls are the main reason Quebec was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

After that, you’ll see the Chateau Frontenac, the most iconic structure in Quebec. This immense hotel is the largest and one of the most luxurious in the city, and its beautiful architecture stands out even in a city filled with picturesque sights.

Next are the Cathedral-Basilica Notre-Dame de Québec and the Holy Trinity, two churches dating back to the earliest days of Quebec City. Then you’ll head to Parliament Hill, where you’ll find the beautiful Parliament Building, which honors the figures integral to Quebec’s founding.

Continuing, you’ll enter the sprawling park, the Plaines d’Abraham. Here, you’ll come to a beautiful overlook that’s just begging to be photographed. You’ll also be able to see La Citadelle, a fortress built in the 1820s to defend the city from invaders.

Next, you’ll pass by the Musée Des Beaux Arts, home to more than 38,000 works of art. Beyond that is Terrasse Grey, where British and French armies battled in 1759.

Finally, you’ll drive down Grande-Allée, a beautiful avenue lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Your tour concludes back on Parliament Hill, just a short distance from where it began.

Tour starting address: 130 Rue des Sapeurs