Quebec City

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Quebec City is the capital of Quebec Province, in Canada. There are many CouchSurfers in Quebec City, you'll easily find a host !!

Contents

Tips

Québec couchsurfing community is quite vibrant and in eternal expension. Don't forget to have a look at "Québec city's group" for new posts on what's coming next! When searching for a couch, expand your search outisde the city itself, in the suburbs. There are a couple of couchsurfers on the South shore of the St. Lawrence River, yet enough close of Quebec City. These couchsurfers don’t have many couch requests, because their towns aren’t known well enough, so it’s a good idea to request them. Look up for these towns: Levis, Charny, Saint-Romuald, Saint-Nicolas.

Meetings

There aren't any regular meetings in Quebec City. From time to time, a member suggests a meeting in a bar, coffee house or a BBQ in his apartment. Check out the "Quebec city group"for more information!

Transport

To get to Québec city

  • Plane: Québec city's airport is located near l'Ancienne Lorette. To get downtown from there, you have to use a cab (or a friend with a car).
  • Train:Train (Via Rail) is pretty expensive. It's worth if you buy the Canadian pass or North American pass. If not, definitely consider bus or car to make your way to Québec! You can save as much as 65$!
  • Bus: It is very easy to go to Quebec City from Montreal by bus using Orleans Express. There are two arrival points in Québec, one in Ste-Foy and the other one, downtown Québec city.
  • Car: You can always use ridesharing networks to travel across Québec"s province. It's the cheapest way and it's fairly reliable! Try (Allo-Stop or Amigo Express).

To go around in Québec city and nearby towns

  • There is public transportation from all these towns to Quebec City. Moreover, it worth giving a try to the Quebec South shore, in Levis you get a stunning view of the Chateau Frontenac over the St. Lawrence River. You can also take a ferry from Levis to Vieux-Quebec ( "Old Quebec”). You’ll get some very nice points of view aboard, especially at sunset.
  • On the southshore, the public transportation system is called "Société de transport de Lévis". Some of their buses go on both shores, although in Quebec they only go as far at Laval University or Cegep de Ste-Foy. If you want to go to Vieux Quebec from the south shore, you have two choices. You can take the bus to the ferry in Levis, then take the ferry and arrive directly in the Vieux Quebec. Or you can take one of the bus going to Laval University and there, transfer in a bus from the Reseau de transport de la capitale. In both options, you'll have to pay twice, because the two public transportation systems have not merged yet and you can't get a transfer ticket from one to another.

What to see / to do

- The old town, called "Vieux-Quebec" by the francophones, is an attraction in itself. Just wander around in the cobbled streets, visit the little art and souvenir shops, walk on the "Plaines d’Abraham", the Dufferin Terrace… You'll probably stay there all day long and more, you never get bored of Vieux-Quebec! Québec City’s historic district is, in fact, the first urban centre north of Mexico to be listed among the World Heritage towns and cities. Make sure to take a look at the "Petit Champlain" district, where you can walk on one of the most picturesque street in North America... Don't forget your camera!

- Take an historic "Ghost Tour" at night in Vieux-Quebec to learn about some historic facts, legends, famous people who were killed in Quebec and haunted places. You can choose an English or a French tour.

Musées

  • Musée de la Civilisation: The Musée de la civilisation was inaugurated in 1988. It is located in the heart of an historic district and close to the Petit-Champlain. Its thematic programming opens up the way for a great variety of topics, from the fundamental issues and major social problems of our times, to various aspects of daily life.Ten exhibitions are held simultaneously. Actual expositions (this was written in may 2007) include: In Peru with Tintin , Dragons; between science and fiction, Hergé 007, Québec cinema: the whole story, Wild and Whimsical Artifacts, People of Québec...then and Now, Encounter with the First Nations, What’s for dinner?, Make way for the Middle Ages, and more! 85, rue Dalhousie, P.O. Box 155, station B, Québec City, Québec G1K 7A6, Telephone: (418) 643-2158
  • Musée de l'Amérique Française: The Musée de l'Amérique francaise, the oldest museum in Canada, has its roots in European religious and educational traditions. Located in a building that is part of the Séminaire de Québec site, founded by Monseigneur de Laval in 1663, it is a witness and herald of a colourful past, worthy of the world's greatest epics. Essentially turned towards history, the Museum now sets up exhibitions examining of the settlement and development of French culture on the North American continent.2, côte de la Fabrique, Québec City, Québec G1R 5K1, telephone: (418) 692-2843
  • Centre d'interprétation de Place-Royale: The Centre d’interprétation de Place-Royale is located on the site where Samuel de Champlain founded the first permanent French settlement in North America in 1608. Place Royale is part of the historic area that earned Old Québec recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1985. You might recognize Place Royale from the movie "Catch me if you can", where the scenes that are taken place in France were filmed at Place royale.27, rue Notre-Dame, Québec city, Québe) G1K 4E9, (418) 646-3167
  • Musée du chocolat: Located on St-Jean street, you can actually learn about the history behind chocolate and watch real "chocolatier" at work! The best part is you get to taste plenty of chocolate! Choco-Musée Érico, 634, rue Saint-Jean, Québec, (Qc) G1R 1P8
  • Musée National des Beaux-Arts du QuébecLocated near the former Québec City prison, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is situated on the Parc des Champs-de-Bataille. The permanent collections is free -artists from the Province, and Inuit art- and there always are additionnal exhibitions, with an entrance fee. Québec (Québec) G1R 5H3, Téléphone : (418) 643-2150

Festivals

  • St-Jean-Baptiste (National Day) From 19h00 till dawn, you are invited to a massive and amazing celebration of Québec's national identity, on the Plaines d’Abraham on June 23rd. On scene last year, Martin Deschamps, France D’Amour, Kaïn, Nicola Ciccone, Martin Deschamps, Plume Latraverse, Florent Vollant and Les Pistolets Roses. You must expect a lot of beer and a lot of fun!
  • Grand rire: If you are confortable with french, you should definetly check this humor festival. Going on from June 18th 2008 to June 30th, plenty of outdoors (free access) and indoors (tickets only) shows are presented. There is an anglophone (english spoken) show on June 29th.
  • Festival d'Été de Québec: For its 40th anniversary this year, the organization of the Festival d’été de Québec assembled a spectacular and rich program. From July 5th-13th, artists such as Linkin Park, Fergie, Charles Aznavour, French Canadian band Mes Aieux, etc... will perform on three stages spread across the town.

Where to eat

  • Ashton: Although it has been an everlasting dispute between towns of the province, Québec city’s most renowned poutine can be eaten at "Ashton". There are Ashton restaurants all over town and within the outer Québec area. They are also famous for their poutine pricing during winter (in the month of january); the prices decrease at the same rate as the temperature. If it’s –30 outside, 30% off your poutine!
  • Tutto Gelato: Good or bad weather, it is difficult to resist the tasty artisanal ice cream of Tutto Gelato. Those who still believe that all ice cream has the same taste will quickly be disillusioned faced with ice cream which is created through the art of Italian cuisine! The kind of gelatos you can get there are not limited to vanilla or chocolate, but also original savours like pistachio, mint chocolate, mango, lemon, tiramisu or coffee. 716 St Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1P9, Téléphone:(418) 522-0896
  • Le Commensal: This buffet-style restaurant is unique in that the dishes are all vegetarian (végétarien) and some vegan (végétalien). The pricing scheme is logical: Your plate is weighed and billed at a rate of $18/kg (most people can fill themselves adequately on less than $12), so having salads can prove a very cost-effective way of eating. Located at the eastern end of Rue St. Jean.
  • Le clocher penché : this restaurant is one of the best ! On St Joseph street, in the lower city (intersection with Caron street), you'd better make a reservation. Kind of local dishes, but simple and magnficent at the same time. Prices : 15-30$.

Tel: 418-640-0597

Nightlife

The nightlife of Québec is different from one bar to another. There is something for every taste, from clubs to pubs, dj's, open mics, jam sessions to live music. Altough the most popular nights out are from thursday to saturday night, there is plenty of activities during the week. A good tool to plan a night out is "Voir" (make sure to pick the Québec's edition) or "Québec's Yellow Pages"

Clubs

Pubs and Microbreweries

  • La Barberie : very close to the train/bus station. They have their own brewery (many other pubs in the city sell La Barberie beers). Their choice of beers is constantly changing, and you can choose the carrousel, which consists of 8 very small glasses of different beers, of every kind (blond, black, etc...) A must !!
  • Ninkasi: Located on St-Jean and five minutes from the fortifications of Old Quebec, Ninkasi proposes nearly 200 beers of finest Québec’s microbreweries. You can find there a billiard table, a set of darts as well as a foosball soccer table. You can bring a snack for the evening even there. One of our Québec CS member is working there! Check out "Geoffroi" for more informations… 811, rue St-Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1R2, Téléphone:418-529-8538
  • L'Inox: Established in the Old-Port of Quebec, this microbrewery is under the reign of three Master-brewers who invite you to share their passion of good beer. L’Inox can accomodate more than 200 guests at the same time. From May to September, the terrace offers 90 places moreover. Thanks to its convivial atmosphere, many are the groups which organize special activities there. One can play also there billiards and foosball. Eleven different beers are brewed there, including five regular (blonde, brown, red-headed, white and ambrée) and six seasonal beers (with maple, cranberries, etc). 37, Saint-André Quai, Québec, QC G1K 8T3, Telephone:418-692-2877
  • Le Bal du Lézard : in Limoilou. They have live concerts in a nice atmosphere, and the terrasse is really pleasant.
  • Nelligan's: After climbing a narrow set of stairs of the 275 St-Jean street, you enter Nelligan's Pub, a pretty and authentic Irish pub characterized by its rustic seal and its animated environment. Famous for its Irish jams of Tuesday evening, you will be able to taste one pint of "F#ck the queen", beer brewed by Barberie only for Nelligan's. The pint of beer is less expensive then anywhere else in town and will be served with a genuine irish accent. 275, rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1N8, Téléphone: 418-522-6504.
  • St-Patrick
  • St-Alexandre: The Pub St-Alexandre offers the greatest beer selection of the province: more than 200 marks coming especially from Germany, of Belgium, of England and Ireland. Enjoy its lovely kitchen, which privileges home-made or artisanal products (the sauerkraut is macerated on the spot). You can also taste there grill, sausage, quiche, paste, pizza pie, burger and nachos. The Pub St-Alexandre also offers concerts presented one or twice per month and generally very appreciated of the customers.1087, rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1S3, Téléphone:(418) 694-0015
  • Le Sacrilège
  • La loge : very nice place, as the music isn't too loud like in the other places. Run by a sympathic french guy, you can find some French newspapers, a few games and books. It's as good for studying in the afternoon as having a nice drink with friends later in the evening !!

Boîtes à chanson

  • Les Voutes de Napoléon
    on the Grande-Allée
  • La P'tite Grenouille
    one in Ste Foy and one in Charlesbourg

Bistros

  • Le Pape-Georges
  • Jules et Jim

Art Galleries and Theatres

  • Le Capitole de Québec
  • Grand théâtre de Québec
  • Salle Albert-Rousseau
  • Théâtre du Petit-Champlain
  • Théâtre de la Bordée

Day trips

  • "Ile d'Orleans" is a really nice island with many farms and fruit producers (it is the right place if you want to go picking strawberries or apples!) They especially produre a blackcurrent wine which is excellent -tastes like porto !
  • "Mont Ste-Anne" : skiing, hiking, watching the splendid autumn colors, moutain biking, you can do all of them and more at Mont Ste-Anne.
  • "Village Vacances Valcartier", north of Quebec City, is a lot of fun. During summer, it’s the biggest water amusement park in Quebec. In winter, it’s one of the best place to enjoy winter : return in your childhood and have fun in the snow slides all around the park, you could also give a try to the “snow rafting”! Unfortunately, it is a bit expensive… but if you got the money, you will have fun for sure,whatever old you are!
  • Chutes de la Chaudiere : a nice park with water falls in Charny, on the South shore. There are nice walking trails and bike paths around the park. Great place to have a picnic.
  • Really nice bike paths along St. Lawrence River on both shores.

Québec CS members' favorites

Here's an idea that i'm trying. If you guys want to add yours or different categories, go ahead!

Lao's favorite...

  • Restaurant : "Bonnet d'Ane"
  • Bar : "Nelligan's" and "La Barberie"
  • View of the city : It's not called Dufferin Terrace but it's near... It's like a belvedere on St-Lawrence river! Well you need to surf with me to see it!
  • Artist from the city : News from the hills, 3 piece band that plays covers of Johnny Cash, Elvis, ...

BastouXII's favorites...

  • Restraurant : Chez Victor, especialy the one on St-Jean.
  • Bar : Les Salons d'Edgar for the tango nights on sundays (not during the summer) and Dooly's for the billards.
  • View of the city : rue Sous-le-Fort, looking up at the Château Frontenac with the old city below, perfect photo spot ! It looks good from the ferry that goes to Lévis too.
  • Artist from the city : The Lost Fingers, a trio that does jazz version covers of rock successes of the 80's. Sounds as weird as you think, but it's actually pretty good !

KIKIELECTRIQUE's favorites...

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