Exploring Quebec City in Summer

While Québec City is a year-round destination, it comes alive each summer with an authentic European feel even though it is just across the U.S. border in Canada. We’ve partnered with wanderer and blogger Susan Lanier-Graham of Wander With Wonder to explore the food, fun and history of Québec City.

There is so much world to explore that I seldom return to the same place more than once. Except for Québec City in Canada. I’ve visited Québec numerous times, in all seasons, and my favorite time to explore is summer. Come along as I share some of the best of summer in Québec City.

UNESCO World Heritage Treasure

Old Québec is the heart of Québec City and a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with authentic European charm. The city, founded in the 1600s, sits on the banks of the massive Saint Lawrence River. While the majority of people today speak French, which is the official language, you won’t have any problems as an English speaker.

The old walled city — the only walled city north of Mexico — is perfect to explore on foot. As you meander the narrow cobbled streets, it is easy to see why millions of people visit each year.

Old Québec is a walled city. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

One of the best ways to see Old Québec and explore the history and architecture is with a walking tour. Tours Voir Québec offers a two-hour English tour that takes you to some of the best places in the old town.

Tours Voir Québec meets at the Québec Tourism Information Centre. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The tour starts at the center of Old Québec in the tourism information centre across from the world-renowned Fairmont Chateau Frontenac.

Old Québec with Chateau Frontenac on the hillside. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Explore the quaint streets and wander through Place Royal, the square that was home to the first permanent French settlement in North America. Just off the historic square, experience a step back in time with the Old World architecture along Rue du Petit-Champlain.

You will likely stop in your tracks on Côte de la Montagne when you first glimpse the massive Fresque des Québécois mural. This impressive work of art made me do a double-take. Is it real or is it art? The mural shows the story of Québec City with a mix of yesterday and today. Even if you don’t recognize the historic Canadian figures, you’ll love the intricate life that comes alive in the life-size mural.

Fresque des Québécois mural shows the city’s history. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Stretched along the Saint Lawrence River just out of Old Québec is the Plains of Abraham. This beautiful park, often billed as the Central Park of Québec City, is part of Battlefields Park and home of the Citadelle built in the early 1800s as Britain’s largest fortress in North America.

Across from the Plains of Abraham is Parliament Hill, home to Québec’s government. A beautiful fountain, Fontaine de Tourny, sits outside the Parliament Building. Originally built in Bordeaux, France in the 1850s, the fountain made its way to the city somewhat by chance. A Québec businessman, Peter Simons, found it in a Parisian flea market and shipped it back to Canada in 2003. After he had the fountain restored, he presented it to the city to celebrate Québec’s 400th birthday.

Fontaine de Tourny sits on Parliament Hill. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The massive Parliament Building, inspired by the Louvre Palace in France, opened in 1886. Be sure to wander the Parliament Gardens in front of the building. The gardens not only offer a great place to relax and unwind, but are filled with native plants and a collection of edible plants and herbs used in dishes served at Le Parlementaire Restaurant inside the Parliament Building. These urban gardens are pesticide and insecticide free, offering a perfect environment for the honey bees sitting atop many buildings in Québec City.

Québec’s Parliament Building. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

A Foodie’s Paradise in Québec City

Old Québec is filled with a selection of culinary treats. From chocolate shops and old markets to cafés and fine dining establishments, Québec City is a foodie’s delight.

While wandering downtown, pop into J.A. Moisan, the city’s oldest grocery store that opened in 1871. This still-operating market is a bit of a living museum. Products from Canada, from maple products and chocolates to cheese and local wines, fill the aisles. There are great photos from the past and you can pick up tasty treats at the same time. The deli counter is simply amazing with the most magnificent meats and cheeses.

The Deli at J.A. Moisan. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

When you finish at the market, head across the street to Erico Chocolatier. One side of the building houses a small museum that shares the history of artisan chocolate making, while the other side is filled with an array of handcrafted chocolates. My favorite chocolate bites were the Africa (Tanzania chocolate fondant with raw cocoa nibs), Balsamique (balsamic vinegar and berries in bitter-sweet chocolate ganache), and Fraises de I’île (white chocolate vanilla ganache topped with strawberry purée). But with dozens to choose from, I’m sure I could find some new favorites on the next visit.

For something completely different, head to La Fudgerie boutique in the Petit-Champlain area. When you approach the shop, it looks as if there are sausages hanging in the windows. But this is not a meat shop. They are fudge sausages. While there are hundreds of flavors, the clear favorite is a classic chocolate and maple, proudly saluting that classic Canadian staple. I personally preferred the chocolate with whiskey and Café Mocha.

La Fudgerie is filled with chocolate sausages. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

As you wander the streets of Old Québec during the summer months, be sure to stop by the Old Port Market or Le Marché du Vieux-Port de Québec. While it is open year round, the summer months mean you can get some of the fresh produce from nearby Île d’Orléans. This island in the Saint Lawrence River is just minutes from Québec City, but a world away. The rural area is filled with gorgeous orchards, so be sure to grab some of the apples you’ll find for sale in the market.

Apples in the Old Port Market. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

You will also want to savor the strawberries that come from Île d’Orléans. I have never tasted such sweet strawberries. When I walked into the market, the aroma of fresh berries had my mouth watering. The gorgeous berries were even better tasting than they smelled and they lived up to the promise of being the best strawberries in the world.

When you are ready for dinner, there are so many great choices that you’ll be wanting dinner more than once a day. Try Tournebroche, an organic farm-to-table bistro that serves a selection of Québec specialties with a twist. The rotisserie Guinea fowl is quite simply perfect and watching the organic, local chickens baking in the kitchen is a real treat.

Légende by La Tanière blends the history of the local First Nations people with modern culinary genius. I had one of the best meals anywhere at Légende. It features those classic First Nations tastes for which Canada is famous — char, mackerel, piglet, bison, duck, and pork. The flavors were so earthy and bold, that it made for one of my most satisfying meals in the city.

Québec City is a city of romance and charm. It feels like a quaint European village, yet it is a vibrant North American city and one of my favorite summer destinations for wandering.