Quebec City Facts

Quebec is one of the most beautiful cities in North America. Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, this fortified city has a rich history, architecture and culture, which can be discovered and enjoyed on foot.

Old Quebec The Old City is one of the most popular areas for both tourists and locals, not only because of its charm but also because of its many restaurants, pubs, hotels and boutiques. St-Jean Street is the main entrance to the Old City. This street is at the heart of the social and cultural life of the city, with Place d'Youville and the Palais Montcalm Theatre on the south side and Le Capitole hotel on the north. During the summer months, Place d'Youville is a stage for performing...

There were the parties, of course, with the likes of Céline Dion and Paul McCartney playing free concerts. There were grand art extravaganzas, including famed Québec theater artist Robert Lepage's multimedia show projected on silos in Québec's Old Port, eliciting high praise along with oohs and aahs. A rare traveling exhibition from Paris's Louvre came to town, too. And, of course, there were politics, with the history of the province's long struggle over separatism from the rest of Canada both downplayed and cheered.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper did the downplaying, saying that the founding...