Quebec City

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

Contents

Tips

Québec couchsurfing community is quite vibrant and always growing up. 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 outside the city itself in the suburbs or the surrounding area. There are several couchsurfers based in the rural surrounding counties or on the South shore of the St. Lawrence River, yet close enough to Quebec City. These couchsurfers don’t have many couch requests, because their towns aren't well known, so it’s a good idea to request them. Look up for these towns:

  • On South Shore: Levis (including: Charny, Saint-Etienne-de-Lauzon, Saint-Romuald, Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Redempteur)
  • Suburbia: L'Ancienne-Lorette and Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
  • Green Belt:
    • Portneuf County: Donnacona, Neuville, Pont-Rouge, Lac-Sergent, Saint-Basile, Saint-Raymond de Portneuf, Cap-Santé, Portneuf
    • Jacques-Cartier County: Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, Shannon, Lac-St-Joseph, Stoneham, Lac-Beauport, Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval
    • Cote-de-Beaupré County: Boischatel
    • Ile d'Orleans: Saint-Pierre-de-l'Ile-d'Orleans
    • Lotbinière County: Saint-Agapit, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Flavien

Regular Meetings

There is 2 regular meetings in Quebec City:

  • Almost every Monday, CouchSurfers meet at Ostradamus Pub (Google Maps), in order to talk, have a drink and play scrabble or pool ...

Check Quebec City group, a weekly message is posted for each meeting.

  • Pool/Billiard at "Le Salon d'Edgar" ("Google maps"): Starting on March 2009 and scheduled every last Friday of the month. A sub group has been created for this event: "Friday Pool".

The rest of the time, members suggest meetings in a bar, coffee house or a personal meeting at someone's flat. Check out the "Quebec City group" for more informations!

You may also be interested by two kinds of thematic meetings with their own sub-groups:

Transport

Getting to Quebec City

  • Plane: Quebec City's airport is located near Ancienne-Lorette suburbs (website). There is one irregular bus route that can get you from there to the nearby Terminus Les Saules, from which you can easy go downtown. Check out Bus #78 on the RTC web site. Sadly, this bus doesn't run on week-ends neither often on weekdays. An other bus route (#80) runs not so far from the airport (however, you'll have to walk almost 3km or 30 minutes by foot until bus stop at the corner of Notre-Dame/Saint-Jacques in Ancienne-Lorette), which you can access just by walking straight on the road leaving the airport. Bus #80. It is running both on weekdays and week-ends with wider schedules and will bring you in the centre of the Basse-Ville of Quebec, bus stop Place Jacques-Cartier in St-Roch's quarter (around 40 minutes by bus). Otherwise you will have to take an expensive 32$ cab downtown, you can always however try to ask the people leaving the airport itself for a ride (or ask 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 the 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 (or [Trois-Rivières] by bus using Orleans Express. There are two arrival points in Québec, one in Ste-Foy and the other one, downtown Québec City. Both bus stations are at handy location to use the local public transit system into most destinations within the city. Intercar services Quebec city with the Saguenay and Charlevoix region (East and North) while Orleans Express also services the [Gaspesie] Region toward [New Brunswick].
  • Car: You can always use ridesharing networks to travel across Québec's province. It is the cheapest way (though with tricky costs) and it's fairly reliable! Try Allo-Stop or Amigo Express. Alternatively, you can also try to make use of the Kijiji or Craigslist's Carsharing sections.
    • Parking: Parking downtown exists as on-street or off-street, both being expensive. Parking is more easy and smooth the further you are from the city downtown. On-street overnight parking is often prohibited from November 1st to April 30th, especially when there is a snowfall. You should always verify with the signalisation in the area of the city you find yourself.
  • Hitch-hiking: Hitching to or from Quebec City is fairly easy and safe, it can also be a good way to go around areas not well serviced by public transit near the city. For further information have a look at the hitchwiki's Quebec City page.

Getting around

  • There is public transportation from most major surrounding suburbs to Quebec City. The furthest suburbs also sometimes have, though less reliable, bus transit. Moreover, it is worth giving a try going 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.
  • In Quebec, the public transportation system is called Réseau de transport de la capitale. It covers most parts of the city, but it doesn't go to the south shore. In the surrounding of the fortification, keep an eye for the miniature Ecolobus which drives around and take passenger for free while connecting the main areas within and around the wall, including the ferry terminal.
    • The main 'metrobus' (#800/#801/#802) are connecting the downtown area with the north and the west of the city.
  • On the south shore, 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 (RTC). 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.

Useful information

Internet Access

There are many internet cafe in Québec city. But there are also ways to access the internet for free! If you have your own computer, there are many free wireless access points downtown, offered by ZAP. You can also view a map of all access points.

Quebec City airport also offers Free Internet to those finding themselves awaiting their departure.

If you don't have a computer, you can use the ones at the Quebec city public libraries for free, for a maximum of 2 hours a day. You just need to go sign up at the front desk and show a proof of residence (from any country).

Political Geography

As of 2001, Quebec City merged with most of its surrounding suburban municipalities, therefore enlarging its hinterland with a various of landscape and locations to visit within Quebec City outside its historic centre. It has also make that many members living in those old municipalities are now registered under Quebec City within CouchSurfing and might be located at a certain distance from Quebec's fortification but yet near other sights or even an alternative historic Main Street. Basically, Do Venture Outside the Centre!!

What to see / to do

Historic Downtown

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.

Museums

  • 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. Note that the museum is free on Tuesday. Severals permanent and temporary exhibitions are held simultaneously.
    Actual expositions (april 2009) include: "Extraterrestrials : What If?", Free Time, Urbanopolis, Territories, "People of Québec...then and Now", "Encounter with the First Nations". Travelling exhibitions: Democracy on the way, Gold in the Americas, Salt Essentials.
    You can also find cultural activities like conferences, literary meetings, shows or projections.
    85, rue Dalhousie, P.O. Box 155, station B, Québec City, Québec G1K 7A6, Telephone: (418) 643-2158 or 1 866 710-8031 Toll free number (Canada and USA)
  • 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 and genealogy the Museum now sets up exhibitions examining of the settlement and development of French culture on the North American continent. Note that the museum is free on Tuesday.
    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. Note that the museum is free on Tuesday.
    27, rue Notre-Dame, Québec City, Québec 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 Québec: Located 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 are 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

(dates for 2009)

  • June 24th's St-Jean-Baptiste (National Day or Quebec Day): From 19h00 till dawn, you are invited to a massive and amazing celebration of Québec's national identity on the 'Plaines d’Abraham' with a gigantic bonfire and concert till dawn. You must expect a lot of beer, easy-going partying mood and a lot of fun!
  • end of June Grand rire: If you are comfortable with French, you should definitely check this humour festival. Plenty of outdoors (free access) and indoors (tickets only) shows are presented. There is an anglophone (english spoken) show too.
  • July 1st Canada Day has celebration in and around the Citadel and on the Abraham Field Park with concert in the evening.
  • July Festival d'Été de Québec: Each year, the organization of the Festival d’été de Québec assemble a spectacular and rich program of local and international band performing on three stages spread across the town. The festival also has its own Facebook page (Right here)
  • During summer in various outdoor areas in the Old-Quebec, you can admire our street artists performing for you !

Where to eat

Fast-Food:

  • 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!
  • La Poutinerie: Feeling crazy about Poutine, this tiny fast-food corner located in St-Sauveur District has about 100 variety of poutine to its menu for a price varying between 5-10$.
    292 Marie-de-l'Incarnation. La Poutinerie

Vegetarian:

  • Le Commensal: This buffet-cafeteria style restaurant is unique in that the dishes are all vegetarian and some vegan. The pricing scheme is logical but expensive: Your plate is weighed and billed at a rate of $18/kg (most people can fill themselves adequately on less than $12), so having salads can prove a very cost-effective way of eating. However, beware that the restaurant atmosphere is more looking like a school cafeteria. Located at the eastern end of Rue St. Jean.
    860, rue Saint-Jean, Québec - Telephone : 418 647 3733 - email : stjean@commensal.com
  • Chez Victor: This burger and vegetarian speciality food has both locations on St-Jean Street and on Chemin Ste-Foy (at the 'Pyramide', by the University Campus). Prices are affordable and meals goes between 10-15$.
    2778 Ch Ste Foy (Pyramide), (418) 651-8187 or 145 St-Jean, (418) 529-7702
  • Restaurant Zen: Vegetarian Asian dishes in a charming old house atmosphere, located on Rene-Levesque Blvd at the Belvedere corner. they are offering the tea ceremony and meals goes between 10-20$.
    966 Boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest (Belvedere), (418) 687-8936
  • alternatively, Harveys and Burger King offers a vegetarian burger for those at little budget meals at 5$, various location throughout town.

Other:

  • 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 magnificent at the same time. Prices : 15-30$. Lunch menu with a good ratio price/quality and different each day. Well-known breakfasts on Saturdays and Sundays.
    203 rue Saint-Joseph Est - Quebec, QC G1K 3B1 - Telephone: 418-640-0597
  • Les frères de la Côte: This French restaurant located on St-Jean Street offers you a varied menu and moderate prices. Unlimited mussels and fries and the lamb with fries and salad are without doubt two of their best suggestions. With a beer and the tip, it will cost around 25-30 $. Brunch on week-ends.
    190 Rue St Jean - Quebec, QC, G1R 1S6, Telephone:(418) 692-5445
  • Tutto Gelato: Good or bad weather, it is difficult to resist the tasty artisan 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. But be prepared to wait for a couple of minutes because it is such a famous place !
    716 St Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1P9, Téléphone:(418) 522-0896

Suburbia

  • "Traditional Huron Site", if you want to know more about the Amerindian life is located in the northern suburbs of Quebec City.
  • The old Beauport and Charlesbourg, old merged suburbs whose history hold back from the time of New France, you can also follow the New France Road whose path starts in Beauport going eastward.
  • The Rue Maguire and the old Sillery whose, surrounding mansions, church and cemetery park with a view on the St. Lawrence makes it for a nice stroll.
  • Jacques-Cartier St. Lawrence Shore Park and the old Cap-Rouge is a lovely place for pic-nic and a walk along the St. Lawrence.
  • There exists some really nice bike paths along St. Lawrence River on both shores. As Such, the Promenade Champlain goes until the Parc Jacques-Cartier in Cap-Rouge along the north shore of the St. Lawrence.
  • Laval University Campus located in Ste-Foy, although pretty austere during the winter, it makes it a nice place to stroll around and meet with local students. There is also plenty of local shops and pubs (and also the Mall Area) in the surrounding.
  • Quebec City's historic Pont de Quebec is worth a look and there is the nearby Aquarium du Quebec for those interested, however the admission rate is awfully inflated.

South of Quebec (Chaudière-Appalaches)

  • Chutes de la Chaudiere : a nice, gratis park with waterfall in Charny, on the South shore just across the bridges. There are nice walking trails and bike paths around the park. Great place to have a picnic.
  • The Parcours des Anses is a bicycle path connecting Levis ferry shore to the Chaudière Waterfall park.


Surrounding Countryside/Green Belt

East of Quebec

  • "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!) As they say themselves, it's a bit of Normandy in Canada ! They especially produce a black currant wine which is excellent -tastes like porto ! You might also find some ice cider, and a chocolate factory. Around 15 km from the center of Quebec City.

If you want to rent bikes on the island : "Écolo-Cyclo".

  • "Montmorency Falls", near of Ile d’Orleans, are higher than "Niagara Falls", although not as large. Upstream the falls, you may find nice spots for picnics. During all summer, there is a splendid fireworks contest called "Les Grands Feux Loto-Quebec". Tip: if you have a car, the parking price at the site itself is pretty expensive, you can try to park in the residential streets at Boischatel on top of the waterfall. In winter, you can do ice climbing on the falls and on its frozen sugarloaf.
  • "Mont Ste-Anne" : skiing, hiking, watching the splendid autumn colors, moutain biking, you can do all of them and more at Mont Ste-Anne. You can also find the St. Anne Canyon Waterfall, however the entrance fee is high at 11$/person.
  • If you decide to travel further East on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, you will find yourself heading to the Charlevoix Region.

West of Quebec (Portneuf County)

  • Chemin du Roy (King's Road) follows the St. Lawrence from Quebec City and eventually until Montreal. However, it is crossing some majestic New France old villages in Portneuf County. Follow the blue signage marked Chemin du Roy from downtown Quebec City.
  • Duchesnay Ecological Tourism Resort is a provincial ecologic protected station northwest of Quebec city, which offers great all-season outdoor opportunities with thematic hiking, cross-country as well as relaxing activities such as spas and massages. It is also the localization of the Ice Hotel.
  • For an evening out outside of Quebec City, consider visiting the Manoir de Neuville's pub along the Route 138 in Neuville, Portneuf County, which is the only bar with a terrace directly on the St. Lawrence shore.

North of Quebec

  • "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 on tyres, you could also give a try to the “snow rafting”!
  • Le Relais and Stoneham Ski Centre are other alternatives to enjoy snowboarding and skiing in the region.
  • Jacques-Cartier National Park is a marvellous Ice Age shaped valley with hiking and canoeing is located about an hour north of the city. Note that entrance fees applies.
  • In the Stoneham area, along the A-73 highway, there is possibility to hike the Mont Wright Ancient Forest at no cost. A great location for hiking under a leafy tree cover and do some rock climbing.


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" or "Québec Plus"

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 !! Also for the terrace!
  • 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: Formerly established in the Old-Port of Quebec, and now on Grande-Allée Street, this microbrewery is under the reign of three Master-brewers who invite you to share their passion of good beer. 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).
    655, Grande Allée Est, Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 2K4, Téléphone : (418) 692-2877
  • Le Bal du Lézard : in Limoilou. They have live concerts in a nice atmosphere, and the terrasse is really pleasant.
    1049, 3e Avenue, Québec, (418) 529-3829
  • 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 Irish Pub at the end of St-Jean street. The pub offers many many choices of food, for dancing o only to seat, all this on 3 floors. There is also a pool table.
  • 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, (418) 694-0015
  • Le Sacrilège : an often crowded but cosy place off St-Jean Street
    447, rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC G1G 2F4 (418) 649-1985
  • 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 place for studying in the afternoon as having a nice drink with friends later in the evening !!
    565 rue Saint-Jean Québec, QC , G1R1P5, Téléphone : 418-529-3101

Boîtes à chanson (Song Bar)

  • Les Voutes de Napoléon: 680 Grande Allée Est - Québec, QC G1R 2K5 - (418) 640-9388
  • La P'tite Grenouille: one in Sainte-Foy ((2376 rue Galvani, Québec, QC - (418) 780-2054)) and one in Charlesbourg (5350 boulevard Henri-Bourassa, Québec, QC - (418) 948-2000)

Bistros

Nice wine and beer bar, with good food, especially cheese !! In the lower Old city, close to the ferry terminal to the south shore.

Art Galleries and Theatres

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

Québec CS members' favorites

Lao's favorite...

  • Restaurant : "Bonnet d'âne"
  • 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...

  • Restaurant : 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...

Judi's favorite...

  • Restaurant :"Bonnet d'Ane"
  • Café : "Au temps perdu"
  • View of the city : From Lévis, taking the ferry to the South shore... even better by night !!

ila's favorite... ...

  • Restaurant : Chez Victor-St-Jean Street, Au Clocher penché-St-Joseph Street
  • Café : Café Babylone-St-Vallier east Street
  • Bar : Le Sacrilège-St-Jean Street
  • View of the city : Going down Salaberry street
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