Old Québec & French Canada Private History Walking Tour

A must-do experience for North American visitors to Quebec City; In-depth and fun historical overview of Old Québec, a unique historic district and World Heritage site featuring hundreds of history markers. Most first-time visitors do not know to what a great extent Canada and US history are intertwined. Do you know the links between French Canada, Quebec and your part of the continent? There is no better place to discover these connections than in beautiful Quebec City. Discover how early French settlers influenced by many continental events - Manifest Destiny, French & Indian War, Boston Tea Party, American Revolution, War of 1812 , American Civil War, Alaska Purchase, Canadian Confederation... - shaped Quebec and Canada. During our 2.5-hour walking tour, discover sites in both Upper and Lower Town, highlighting the significant role played by Quebec City in the history of North America and in the creation of modern Canada. Convenient meeting point: your Old Quebec hotel.

1. 1

   Musee du Fort

   Pass by

   Museum about the military history of Canada and the great battles of Quebec City, from early French settlers to 1776.

2. 2

   Moment Spa Le Chateau Frontenac

   Pass by

   Icon of modern Canada from coast to coast, 1893 Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel, now Fairmont.

3. 3

   Terrasse Dufferin

   Pass by

   Memory of the Royal family and its representatives, this boardwalk was built in the wake of the creation of modern Canada. Forts and Chateaux St-Louis National Park showcasing the castle of the French Governors until the French & Indian War is located UNDER the boardwalk.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   Pass by

   War monument, memory of the French and Indians War in Canada.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   Memory of British Quebec City, built the year of the Louisiana Purchase, that is, 20 years after the U.S. Independence.

6. 6

   La Citadelle de Quebec

   Pass by

   Stronghold added to the Quebec City’s defense system after the War of 1812, facing the American threat.

7. 7

   Plains of Abraham

   Pass by

   Iconic ground battlefield of the French & Indians War in America. Unlike Yorktown VA or Chalmette Battlefield in New Orleans LA, here the British won the war defeating the French. Canada became British from the 1763 Treaty of Paris.

8. 8

   Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site

   Pass by

   French and British ramparts built to protect this strategic outpost that controlled the St Lawrence seaway up to the center of the continent.

9. 9

   Parliament of Quebec

   Pass by

   Legislature of the Province of Quebec, the only French-speaking Province of Canada. Even though Montreal is its metropolis and most populated city, Quebec City is still the Provincial capital.

10. 10

    Pole Culturel du Monastere des Ursulines

    Pass by

    First school for girls in North America and world-class Museum about French Art and catholic Education. Within top 5 French heritage institutions of Old Quebec and Canada.

11. 11

    Le Monastere des Augustines

    Pass by

    First hospital in North America and present-day world-class wellness center and Museum. Within top 5 French heritage institutions of Old Quebec and Canada.

12. 12

    Upper Town (Haute-Ville)

    Pass by

    Upper town mainly refers to the Unesco World Heritage zone within the walls of Old Quebec. High density of historical sites covering 400 years of history.

13. 13

    Lower Town (Basse-Ville)

    Pass by

    Lower town mainly refers to the Place Royale, Petit-Champlain and the Old Port district. High density of historical sites covering 400 years of history.

14. 14

    Notre Dame De Quebec Basilica Cathedral

    Pass by

    Founding Cathedral of Catholicism in French America and head of a diocese as large as French Louisiana, from Quebec City to New Orleans.

15. 15

    Seminaire du Quebec

    Pass by

    School for French catholic missionaries sent over the continent to convert North America's French territories to Catholicism. Present-day School of Architecture of University Laval and High School.

16. 16

    Edifice Price / Price Building

    Pass by

    Iconic monument built as a pulp and paper company's headquarter in 1929. Symbol of the Great Depression and resilience of a 6-generation Welsh family now involved in high-end tourism in Quebec City.

17. 17

    Place Royale

    Pass by

    Canada's “Jamestown” and ‘Williamsburg” on the same site: birthplace of Canada and site of a never-completed 1970s Museum District project. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City on this site, that has been continuously occupied since then.

18. 18

    Quartier Petit Champlain

    Pass by

    Within top 3 shopping areas of Old Quebec. A 1980s project led by two local architects who had a vision to open high-end artisan shops in devitalized Old Port area.

19. 19

    Musee de la Civilisation

    Pass by

    Within top 5 museums of Old Quebec. History exhibitions about Canada and Native Americans.

20. 20

    Old Port

    Pass by

    Sites of the 1775 failed "American" invasion of Canada, where both leaders - Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery - were defeated. Man-made zone reclaimed from water during the French, British and Canadian periods of Quebec City's history. Old financial district of Canada and present-day Art and Antique Shops district.

21. 21

    St. Louis Gate (Porte St. Louis)

    Pass by

    One of the 3 gates on the French rampart. Original military structures, featuring narrow openings with doors, were removed ...and then rebuilt to look like medieval structures, as part of Lord Dufferin's 1875 Quebec Improvement plan, influenced by the European historicist movement.

22. 22

    Breakneck Steps (L'Escalier Casse-Cou)

    Pass by

    Stairs linking Petit-Champlain and Upper town.

23. 23

    Royal Battery

    Pass by

    Military cannon platform added to Quebec City's fortifications system during the King William's War in America, when Frontenac defeated invaders from Boston led by William Phips.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.