Québec, the Christmas City
A snowy old town with a Christmas market below the Château Frontenac.
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Québec is the only city north of Mexico that has kept its city walls, and in December the old town looks like a European Christmas village. The German Christmas market fills the squares and gardens around City Hall, and an old toboggan run descends Terrasse Dufferin below the Château Frontenac. Down in the lower town, narrow Rue du Petit-Champlain is decorated from end to end, and a big tree stands on Place Royale in front of one of Canada's oldest stone churches. There is usually snow in December.
The stops
- 1
City Hall Gardens
The heart of the German Christmas market, with wooden huts and mulled wine.
- 2
Notre-Dame de Québec
A cathedral since 1674. The Boutique de Noël, a Christmas shop open all year, is on the same street.
- 3
Château Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace
The city's landmark. On the terrace below, the toboggan run opens when there is snow.
- Tip
Breakneck Steps
The stairway down to Petit-Champlain, with a view along the street.
- 4
Rue du Petit-Champlain
A narrow shopping street in the lower town, decorated along its whole length.
- 5
Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires
The stone church from 1688 on Place Royale, where the big Christmas tree stands.
About the trip
- Where
- Québec City
- Getting around
- On foot
- Time
- 1 h 58 min
- Distance
- 1.5 km
- Stops
- 5
- Season
- November–January
- Themes
- History, Views, Food
Practical
- Start
- Jardins de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, served by many city buses (including Métrobus 800 and 801).
- Finish
- Place Royale. The Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec runs back up to the upper town.
- Toilets
- In cafés and restaurants. There are few public toilets along the route.
- Accessibility
- Steep slopes and stairs between the upper and lower town, but the funicular is a step-free alternative. Ice and snow can make it slippery.