Tour guides Canada > Quebec

5 ideas for guided tours in Quebec City

• The must-see Old Quebec

  

  On the hill overlooking the St. Lawrence, Old Quebec is best explored slowly — uneven stones, thick walls, arched doorways. The ramparts trace a gentle border, and as you pass from one gate to another, the city still tells the story of its beginnings.

  Along the Dufferin Terrace, the wooden boards creak underfoot, with gusts of river wind rushing by. The Château Frontenac stands as a landmark, its silhouette shifting with the light, while the Citadel keeps watch just behind — grassy slopes, cannons, and quiet.

  Down a staircase, you reach the lower town, with Place Royale paved in stone and low façades pressed against the rock. Rue du Petit-Champlain lines up its iron signs, workshops, and cafés — a discreet blend of daily life and history. Snatches of conversation drift past, the smell of coffee lingers, and the pace slows.

• The museums of Quebec City

  

  Quebec is full of fascinating museums where history, art, and culture meet. Whether you’re passionate about the era of New France or contemporary art, here are some must-see spots:
  1. Musée de la civilisation
  Located in Old Quebec, this museum offers interactive exhibitions on Quebec’s history and world cultures — a captivating journey between past and present.
  2. Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
  Set on the Plains of Abraham, this museum showcases Quebec art, from classical works to contemporary pieces. Its boldly designed Pierre Lassonde Pavilion is a highlight in itself.
  3. Musée de l’Amérique francophone
  This museum explores the history and heritage of French speakers in the Americas, offering an insightful look at Quebec’s cultural identity.
  4. Musée du Fort
  Just steps from the Château Frontenac, this museum immerses you in Quebec’s military history with an animated re-creation of the city’s major battles.
  5. Morrin Centre
  Once a prison, now a library and cultural center, this unique site tells the story of the city’s English-speaking past and offers guided tours that are well worth taking.

• Montmorency Falls

  

  On the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Montmorency Falls catches the eye long before you get close. You can hear its steady roar from afar, then see the wide white column of water breaking into clouds of mist.

  A staircase clinging to the cliff lets you climb alongside the falls — a bit of a workout, but with breathtaking viewpoints along the way. At the top, a suspended footbridge gives the dizzying feeling of walking right above the water as it plunges. In winter, ice transforms the scene into strange, almost otherworldly shapes.

  Around the site, the Montmorency Manor welcomes visitors with trails and scenic lookouts. On clear days, the view stretches all the way to Île d’Orléans, its church steeples and patchwork fields completing the landscape.

• Île d’Orléans

  

  Linked to Old Quebec by a bridge, Île d’Orléans stretches out like a wide ribbon of farmland on the St. Lawrence. Tree-lined rows of apple orchards, village steeples, and old barns follow one another along the circular road.

  At the western tip, Sainte-Pétronille is the starting point. From here you can see Montmorency Falls in the distance, then wander among vineyards sloping gently toward the river. A little farther on, Saint-Jean invites you to taste its local products — orchards, cider served on site, jams prepared in small family kitchens.

  The road continues to Saint-Laurent-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, a village shaped by its maritime past. The park recalls the shipyards that once lined the shore, while artisan workshops keep local crafts and traditions alive. The pace here is slow, in step with the flow of the river.

  To the east, Saint-François closes the loop. From the Pointe-Argentenay lookout, the view opens toward Charlevoix and the widening waters. This is often where the day ends — golden light on the fields, silence broken only by the wind and birds.

• Village of Wendake

  

  Just minutes from Quebec City, the village of Wendake stretches along the river — low houses, the smell of cooking drifting from doorways, quiet conversations. You immediately feel a history that’s still very present, a slower rhythm, more grounded.

  The Huron-Wendat Museum sets clear reference points with objects, stories, and voices that seem to answer one another. Nearby, the Traditional Huron Site opens the door to a longhouse where gestures are explained, crafts demonstrated, hunting techniques shared. You move slowly, carrying the images with you.

  A path leads to the Kabir Kouba Falls — steady roar, fine mist over the rocks. The gorges reveal themselves in places, with simple signs and viewpoints, while the water carries everything else away.

  To extend the visit, the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations offers a quiet stop — crackling fire, thick blankets, peaceful nights. In the evening, you think back to the stories you heard, to this encounter with a living heritage — subtle, yet unforgettable.