25 Best Sights in Upper Town, Quebec City

Québec City’s most photographed landmark, the Château Frontenac, commands the skyline above the St. Lawrence River, proudly reigning as the city’s crown jewel. Built in 1893 to attract luxury rail travelers, it belongs to a distinguished series of opulent château-style hotels commissioned across Canada. New York architect Bruce Price designed the hotel to impress, outfitting it with marble fixtures, cozy fireplaces in every room, and carefully selected antiques—luxuries unmatched at the time. The site once housed the residence of colonial governors Samuel de Champlain and the Comte de Frontenac, whose name the hotel proudly bears. The addition of a 20-story tower in 1924 finalized its iconic silhouette. Since then, Le Château, as locals call it, has hosted royalty—including Prince William and Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Grace of Monaco—alongside Hollywood legends and world leaders. During WWII, Roosevelt and Churchill met here twice for wartime conferences, sealing the hotel’s legacy at the crossroads of history and glamour.

While the hotel itself doesn't offer guided tours, you can still dive deep into its storied past! Québec Cicerone Tours provides an exceptional experience, with guides in period costumes bringing legends to life within this historic landmark. Tours cost C$24 per adult and C$12 per child.

Perched atop Cap Diamant, the city's highest point, the Citadelle stands as North America's largest fortified base still actively occupied by troops. This 25-building fortress is, quite literally, the star of the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site. Its strategic purpose was clear: protect the port, prevent enemy advancements on the Plains of Abraham, and offer refuge during an attack. Since 1920, the Citadelle has been home to Canada's most storied French-speaking military formation, the Royal 22nd Regiment. Their history is proudly displayed in the museum, located in a former powder magazine built in 1750, showcasing firearms, uniforms, and decorations dating back to the 17th century. Every summer morning, visitors can catch the troops' impressive 30-minute concert, with soldiers clad in military crimson coats and black fur hats, all under the watchful eye of the regiment's well-behaved goat mascot. Due to its status as an operational military base, all visits to the Citadelle are exclusively guided.  Its prime location, perched high above the St. Lawrence River with stunning city views, makes it worth a visit even if you opt not to take a tour.

This expansive urban park holds a pivotal place in Canadian history: it's the very ground where the famous Battle of Québec unfolded on September 13, 1759. This brief, yet acrimonious, clash within the larger Seven Years' War ultimately decided Canada's fate as the French lost the city to the British. On that fateful date, British soldiers under General Wolfe's command scaled the steep cliff face under the cover of darkness. They ultimately defeated the French through a single, devastating volley of musket fire, concluding the battle in less than 30 minutes. To truly grasp this pivotal moment, visit the Museum of the Plains of Abraham and explore the family-friendly activities at the nearby Martello Towers.

Today, this historic landscape transforms with the seasons. Locals flock here for cross-country skiing and to admire the majestic St. Lawrence River, even as it freezes over in winter. Come July, the park pulsates with energy as the Summer Festival takes over, drawing tens of thousands of concertgoers. Whatever the weather, head to Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine for the ultimate Québec City postcard view.

This stunning library, housed in a former 19th-century Methodist church, is a true gem for design, architecture, and culture enthusiasts alike. Completely revamped a few years ago, its now whitewashed, design-heavy interior earned international acclaim and architectural awards. Inside, you'll find compelling permanent exhibitions on French Canadian literature and culture, along with weekly showings of various genres of French-Canadian movies.

In 1639, Augustinian nuns arrived from Dieppe, France, tasked with caring for the sick in the new colony. They established North America's first hospital north of Mexico, the Hôtel-Dieu. The complex underwent a full renovation and expansion in 2015 and now includes a quiet, health-conscious restaurant (with silent breakfast!), a holistic spa, and accommodations ranging from contemporary en suite rooms to dorm-like rooms with antique furniture—the perfect canvas for a calm retreat. The museum showcases an extensive collection of liturgical and medical artifacts, while the richly decorated chapel (by Thomas Baillairgé) and the 1659 vaults, used by nuns as shelter from bombardments, are also worth visiting. A small order of nuns continues to reside within the monastery, truly making it a place of living memory.

At the very heart of Old Québec City's Upper Town, a wide boardwalk with an intricate wrought-iron guardrail encircles the iconic Château Frontenac. This promenade is lined with cannons brought by the British for defense in the late 18th century, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River's narrowest point, Île d'Orléans, and the distant Laurentian and Appalachian mountains. This enchanting spot shines year-round. Summers burst with lively street performers, while winters transform it into a thrilling, 70 km/h (43.5 mph) wooden toboggan run. From its western end, the Promenade des Gouverneurs extends towards Cap Diamant and La Citadelle. You can also board the funicular here, descending to Rue du Petit-Champlain. It truly is the ideal starting or ending point for any Old Québec discovery walk.

In this small park just south of the Château Frontenac stands the Wolfe-Montcalm Monument, a 50-foot-tall obelisk that pays tribute to both a winning (English) and a losing (French) general. The monument recalls the 1759 battle on the Plains of Abraham, which essentially ended French rule here. British general James Wolfe lived only long enough to hear of his victory; French general Louis-Joseph Montcalm died shortly after Wolfe, with the knowledge that the city was lost. On the south side of the park is avenue Ste-Geneviève, lined with well-preserved Victorian houses dating from 1850 to 1900. Many have been converted to inns, B&Bs, and hotels.

This urban park, bright with colorful flowers in summer, is lined with stunning 19th-century mansions on one side and offers sweeping river views over the Plains of Abraham on the other. It's often adorned with seasonal decorations, making it a lovely place to rest between museum visits. At its heart stands an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, a symbol of military courage and France itself. The statue pays tribute to the heroes of 1759, near the very spot where New France fell to the British. The park also holds a special place in Canadian history: it's where the national anthem, "O Canada," was first played on June 24, 1880.

François de Laval, the first bishop of New France and founder of Canada's Catholic Church, once ruled a diocese that stretched to the Gulf of Mexico. Videos and pictures astutely illustrate his life throughout the visit.

Laval's original cathedral burned down and has been rebuilt several times, but the current basilica still has a chancel lamp that was a gift from Louis XIV, the Sun King. The church's interior includes a canopy dais over the Episcopal throne, a ceiling of painted clouds decorated with gold leaf, and richly colored stained-glass windows. A "holy door" was added to the church in 2014. The large crypt was Québec City's first cemetery; more than 900 bodies are interred here, including, perhaps, Samuel de Champlain's; archaeologists have been searching for his tomb since 1950. Guided tours of the cathedral and crypt are available (by appointment only).

The first Anglican cathedral outside the British Isles was erected in the heart of Québec City's Upper Town between 1800 and 1804. Its simple, dignified façade is reminiscent of London's St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and the pediment, archway, and Ionic pilasters introduced Palladian architecture to Canada. The land on which the cathedral was built was originally given to the Récollets (Franciscan monks from France) in 1681 by the king of France for a church and monastery. When Québec came under British rule, the Récollets made the church available to the Anglicans for services. Later, King George III ordered construction of the present cathedral, with an area set aside for members of the royal family. A portion of the north balcony is still reserved for the use of the reigning sovereign or his or her representative. The cathedral's impressive rear organ has 3,058 pipes. Even more impressive is the smaller English chamber organ, built in 1790, which was donated to the cathedral for the bicentennial celebrations in 2004.

Styled after the Empire State Building, this 17-story Art Deco structure was the city's first skyscraper when it was built in 1929. It served as headquarters of the Price Brothers Company, a lumber firm founded by Sir William Price, and today is an official residence of the premier of Québec, who uses the top two floors.

Thick stone walls stretch along 5 km (3 miles), connected by four gates—St-Jean, St-Louis, Kent, and the more modern Prescott—and adjoined by forts, bastions, and even a citadel. With such a special and unique landmark, it's not difficult to understand why the Historic District of Old Québec is a UNESCO World Heritage site. These nearly intact ramparts, virtually the only ones of their kind in North America, recall the complex history of the French and British regimes in Québec City. French colonists began building ramparts along the city's cliffs as early as 1690 to protect themselves from the British, but they had trouble convincing the French government to take the threat of invasion seriously. And when the British did invade in 1759, the walls were unsurprisingly still incomplete. The British, despite attacks by the Americans during the American Revolution and the War of 1812, took over a century to finish them—and they never saw armed conflict.

From June to September, Parks Canada offers two distinct guided tours of Québec City's fortifications, each led by a knowledgeable history guide. The first is a two-hour tour, departing from the Frontenac Kiosk on Dufferin Terrace. This experience leads participants along the fortification walls and into a soldier's casemate—an area exclusively accessible on this tour—while sharing fascinating historical tidbits about the city. The second tour is entirely within Artillery Park, one of the oldest military compounds in the Americas, dating back to 1712. This experience focuses on the social and architectural heritage of the ramparts building, which has housed French, British, and Canadian soldiers throughout history.

If you want to get a firsthand look at how the well-to-do English residents of Québec City lived in a bygone era, this is the place. Built in 1849 by the wife of wealthy businessman William Henry, the Regency-style cottage was bought in 1918 by the sisters Adèle and Mary Stuart. Active in such philanthropic organizations as the Red Cross and the Historical and Literary Society, the sisters were pillars of Québec City's English-speaking community. They also maintained an English-style garden behind the house. The home has since been classified a historic site for its immaculate physical condition and the museumlike quality of its furnishings, almost all of them Victorian. Guided tours of the house and garden start on the hour and include a cup of tea and piece of lemon cake.

The Assemblée Nationale du Québec, the sole French-speaking legislature in continental North America, convenes within the stately Second Empire–style building constructed between 1877 and 1886. If the Assembly is in session, try to secure a spot in the visitors' gallery to witness the spirited exchanges between the federalist-leaning Liberals and the secessionist Parti Quebecois. But even if a session isn't underway, the buildings themselves, designed by Québec architect Eugène-Étienne Taché, are well worth exploring. The façade is adorned with statues of pivotal figures in Québec history, including Cartier, Champlain, Frontenac, Wolfe, and Montcalm.

A 60-minute guided tour (offered in English or French) provides access to the President's Gallery, the Parlementaire restaurant, the Legislative Council Chamber, and the National Assembly Chamber. Keep in mind that tours may be restricted during legislative sessions. Additionally, outdoor tours of the gardens and statues are available during the summer months.

A costumed maid or chauffeur greets you when you visit this elegant Grande Allée house, the former home of Louis S. St. Laurent, prime minister of Canada from 1948 to 1957. Within the house, which is now part of the federally owned Plains of Abraham properties, period furnishings and multimedia touches tell St. Laurent's story and illustrate the lifestyle of upper-crust families in 1950s Québec City.

Seemingly suspended between Upper and Lower Town, Montmorency Park is an essential stop for visitors navigating Côte de la Montagne. This leafy urban oasis once played a pivotal role in Canadian history, serving as home to the Parliaments of Lower Canada, Canada East, and Québec from 1791 to 1883. While few structures from that era remain, it's now a cherished national historic site, inviting visitors to wander among centenary trees and explore walkways adorned with interpretive panels detailing the site's profound significance. Along its southeastern edge, the park meets the ancient ramparts and defensive walls, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Lower Town and the St. Lawrence River.

This stately graystone heritage site has led a fascinating life since its construction in 1813, shifting from an execution site to a repository for national archives and Canada's first modern prison. A major transformation occurred in 1868, as it became Morrin College, one of the city's earliest private schools, and simultaneously welcomed the Literary and Historical Society of Québec—a direct forerunner to Canada's National Archives. Today, the building comes alive with historical and cultural talks presented in English, heavily focusing on Québec City's often-forgotten British heritage. Guided tours offer a compelling journey through its past, revealing two blocks of original prison cells, the grand Victorian-era library, and College Hall. This unique space proves particularly captivating for children and families alike.

The strategic importance of Artillery Park, part of the Fortifications of Quebec, lies in its prime location overlooking both the plateau to the west of the city, from which an army could lay siege to it, and St. Charles River, where boats could land soldiers. Under French rule, all the lines of defense that were proposed or built passed through this territory. By the end of the 17th century, the park was already recognized as a strategic site and both French and English military engineers erected various fortifications here over the years. The lavish Quartier des Officiers, built in 1712, was used as officers' quarters of the Royal Artillery until the late 19th century, when the Canadian government converted the barracks into a cartridge factory following the departure of the troops. It would go on to play a predominant effort in both of Canada's world-war efforts; several thousand men and women of Quebec worked there.

For centuries, this wide square was used for parades and military events; today, it's mostly strollers, buskers, and visitors enjoying restaurant terraces. On its west side stands the majestic Ancien Palais de Justice (Old Courthouse), a Renaissance-style building from 1887. The plaza is on land that was occupied by a church and convent of the Récollet missionaries (Franciscan monks), who in 1615 were the first order of priests to arrive in New France. The Gothic-style fountain in the center pays tribute to their arrival.

Nestled between the historic Château Frontenac and the majestic Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec, Rue du Trésor exudes an undeniable allure. During the French Regime, settlers flocked to this very street to pay their taxes at the royal treasury, which is how Rue du Trésor ("Treasury Street") earned its name. Today, this charming cobblestoned lane, affectionately known as "Artists' Street," transforms into a vibrant open-air art gallery particularly in summer and on long weekends, During the quieter shoulder seasons, the street takes on a more tranquil, yet equally enchanting, ambiance.

Behind imposing iron gates, nestled beside the Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral, stands a tranquil courtyard. It's encircled by austere stone buildings and soaring steeples that have continuously served as classrooms and student residences since 1663. This is the Québec Seminary, founded by François de Montmorency Laval, New France's first bishop, with the vital mission of training priests for the burgeoning colony. Remarkably, in 1852, this very institution gave rise to Université Laval, establishing itself as the first francophone university in North America.

Today priests still live on the premises, and Québec City's architecture school occupies part of the building. The small Second Empire–style Chapelle Extérieure, at the west entrance of the seminary, was built in 1888 after fire destroyed the 1750 original; its interior is patterned after that of the Église de la Trinité in Paris.

Venture under the Terrasse Dufferin to see archaeological treasures from the official residence and power base of the French and British governors. Massive excavations unearthed artifacts from the first château, built under the direction of Governor Montmagny, to the time the Château St-Louis burned in 1834. Wine bottles, kitchenware—even remains of walls and doorframes—give clues to the luxurious life of the governors, who were among the most powerful men in the nation. Don't miss the guided tours and activities. History buffs might consider attending one of the in-depth archaeology conferences held here.

Of the 16 Martello towers in Canada, four were built in Québec City because the British government feared an invasion after the American Revolution. In summer, visitors can tour Martello Tower No. 1, and watch a presentation on the history of the four structures. A haunted maze is held for youngsters on Halloween at Martello Tower No. 2, at avenues Taché and Laurier, and a mystery dinner show is available by reservation. Martello Tower No. 4, on rue Lavigueur overlooking the St. Charles River, houses an escape room game, The Tormentor, in the summer months.

Founded in 1639, the Ursuline Chapel and its Couvent des Ursulines stand as North America's oldest institution of learning for women. Step inside to discover some of the finest wood carving in all of Québec, painstakingly gilded by the nuns themselves. Though the exterior was rebuilt in 1902, the interior reveals the original chapel, a masterpiece that took sculptor Pierre-Noël Levasseur a decade (1726-1736) to complete.

Surrounded by a leafy, small park right next to the Château Frontenac, this 50-foot-tall obelisk pays tribute to both a winning (English) and a losing (French) general. More specifically, it marks the place where the British general James Wolfe and French marquis Louis-Joseph Montcalm died during the Battle of Québec in September 1759. Wolfe landed his troops about 3 km (2 miles) from the city's walls; 4,500 English soldiers scaled the cliff and began fighting on the Plains of Abraham. Wolfe was mortally wounded in battle and was carried behind the lines to this spot. Montcalm, who had been famous for winning four major battles in North America, was also fatally injured; he was carried into the walled city, where he died the next morning, essentially marking the end of the French regime in Québec City.

On the south side of the park is avenue Ste-Geneviève, lined with well-preserved Victorian houses dating from 1850 to 1900. Many have been converted to inns, B&Bs, and hotels.