Living history in Québec City

hen French explorer Samuel de Champlain stood in front of the ragged cliffs of Cap Diamant in 1608, he couldn’t have known what the future would hold for this beautiful area. Who could have predicted that over the next 400 years, First Nations, French and British influences would weave together to create the unique, rich, and exciting Québec City that we now know? Evidence of this legacy is everywhere: in the city’s commitment to historical preservation, in its friendly French-speaking population, and in its Indigenous pride. And it’s this convergence that fuels its modern spirit.

Today, a trip to Québec City, Canada offers a wealth of intriguing diversions and a community eager to share the fruits of its connected heritage. If you’re looking for a getaway rich in history and cultural diversity, you’ve come to the right place. Here, locals treat visitors to a warm and bilingual welcome.

Grab a bite at Bistro Le Sam off the lobby and ask to sit next to the spectacular wall of windows overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence River. Order the lobster salad and while you’re waiting, try the restaurant’s signature Jam Le Sam Cocktail, a mix of vodka, pink pepper and cranberry jam, lime juice and the Frontenac’s bespoke maple syrup.

Spend a few moments appreciating the expansive view of the Saint Lawrence and Lower Town (Basse-Ville). From this vantage point you can see why the early battlements were built here: the elevated position was advantageous, and the unobstructed views of the river meant enemies couldn’t sneak up.

Underneath the terrace are generations of ruins and artifacts known as the St. Louis Forts and Châteaux. On this spot from 1620 to 1834, a succession of strongholds and official residences of French and British Governors were built then destroyed by fire, rebuilt, then devastated in battle.

At the north end of the terrace, a funicular originally built in 1789 provides easy passage between Dufferin Terrace and Lower Town. You can either descend a prophetic set of steps called “Breakneck Stairs,” or take a less strenuous ride in the glass-enclosed car.

At the bottom, the waterfront in the Petit-Champlain district and Place Royale both buzz with activity. Here, the contrast of past meets present is profoundly felt. The cobblestones of Rue du Petit-Champlain, one of the oldest commercial streets in North America, wind between dozens of independent boutiques, restaurants and small businesses occupying 18th-century-style dwellings. Take your time exploring the nooks and crannies of this bustling district. It’s a perfect opportunity to pick up a few small gifts for friends and family.

By late afternoon, a special treat is waiting for you at the La Monastère des Augustines, where in 1639, three Augustinian nuns at the behest of Louis XIII, opened the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, the first hospital north of Mexico. Their calling was to care for the sick, wealthy or poor, French or Indigenous, as they would have cared for Christ.

Nearly 400 years later, the monastery is still devoted to helping others. But, following extensive renovations, it has been transformed into a non-profit hotel with a mission to uphold the nun’s legacy through a holistic approach to health and wellness. It offers spa treatments, yoga classes, holistic health consultations, and more.

Arrive at the cloister a few minutes before 5 pm and make your way to the chapel. Ten Augustinian nuns will sing the vespers as mass is for morning celebration, and you’re invited to listen. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience a tradition that has gone unchanged for hundreds of years.

Famished after a long day, head to Légende across from the Old Port on Rue Saint-Paul, a street skirted by art galleries, fashion boutiques and up-scale restaurants. (Make your reservation before your trip begins!)

The restaurant’s award-winning cuisine is based on Québec-centric seasonal ingredients. Fish is sourced from native rivers, game meats are purchased from nearby farms, and even the spices are locally picked. But it is Légende’s contemporary spin on its boreal menus that makes eating here so special. Splurge on the six-course tasting menu and take it to the next level with additional wine pairings.

Pack your bags and leave the urban sparkle for a more natural setting and tranquil vibe. Just 20 minutes’ drive from downtown, the self-governing territory of Wendake is the historic land of the Huron-Wendat Nation, where they still live today.

Check into the four-star aboriginal Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, a beautiful 55-room boutique lodging designed as a modern interpretation of a longhouse where the Nations’ ancestors once lived.

An impromptu exploration reveals what a luxury hotel enriched by a First Nations sensibility looks like. Airy rooms are augmented with elemental details that represent Wendat culture—polished side tables resemble petrified tree stumps, rustic lamps with moose silhouettes. Furnishings are draped with fox fur and detailed with beaver-skin pillows.

To the left of the main entrance is the Huron-Wendat Museum with two permanent exhibits showcasing 2,500 objects in a tightly curated collection. Wander through the marvelous displays of rare traditional apparel, original handicrafts, and religious relics, plus current works by well-known Indigenous artists.

In the afternoon, take a short drive and travel back in time to the Huron Traditional Site Onhoüa Chetek8e. Here, a reproduction of a traditional village brings the world of the 17th-century Huron-Wendat to life.

Clothed in Indigenous dress, your guide, a descendent of the Huron-Wendat, will escort you through a 45-minute tour beginning with a performance of an authentic welcome dance. In a large custom-built longhouse, you will learn how the Nation lived. A visit to a smoke house and curing hut is where hunting and preservation of meat and fish are explained. Purification and spirituality are described in the village’s sweat lodge. Lunch is available at the Nek8arre, the site’s restaurant specializing in game meat and fish.

At the end of your tour, it’s your choice of activity: Canoeing anyone? Archery perhaps? Or maybe you’d like to make your own dreamcatcher or some other Indigenous arts and craft?

Back at the hotel, have an early dinner on the terrace at La Traite, which has earned awards for its excellent Indigenous-inspired cuisine. Inspired by your day of Huron-Wendat culture, it’s only fitting you should dine on Chef Olivier Bernadet’s innovative fare.

Make your way to Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale near the Parliament gardens back in Old Québec and join the Inuit and 10 First Nations as they come together to celebrate their heritage while sharing their unique customs and traditions with the public. Speak to members and descendants of the Huron-Wendat, Atikamekw, Mohawks, and Mi’gmaq, among other First Nations. Who better to explain how they’ve evolved over the centuries and how they live today?

Or, if you’re visiting in August, attend the annual New France Festival in the streets of Place-Royale. You’ll be transported back to the 17th and 18th century to experience what life was like for early colonists. Artisans and vendors turn their spaces into historical activities, music shows will keep you entertained, and of course, there’s plenty to eat.

Rest-assured there’s always something to see in lively Québec City that will make you feel connected to its history. For example the Musée national des beaux-arts features thousands of works from local artists, dating back to the 18th century, as its long-standing mission is to cover all periods and styles of the province’s art. With three pavilions and restaurants inside, make sure you leave enough time to explore.