Place Royale (Royal Square), Quebec City (must see)

Royal Square is one of the best places in North America to sense the beginnings of French-Canadian civilization. Nowadays, enclosed by restored stone buildings and paved with cobblestones, giving it the feel of a small European town square, this compact space was the area where Samuel de Champlain established his first fortified settlement on the shore of the Saint Lawrence, back in the early 1600s.

Start your journey in front of the stone church that anchors the square. This is Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, easily identified by its simple façade, small bell tower, and position facing the open square. It is one of the oldest stone churches in North America and is well worth a brief look inside for its calm interior and historic atmosphere. Near the church entrance, notice the bronze plaque commemorating Champlain’s settlement; it's written in French, and it marks one of the key historic moments connected with the site.

Now, look down at the cobblestones in front of the church. The black tile outline set into the pavement marks the footprint of Champlain’s early habitation. It is easy to miss if you are not looking for it, so use the church as your reference point and scan the ground just outside it.

Turn back toward the surrounding houses. The grey fieldstone façades, steep roofs, wide chimneys, small windows, and firewalls recreate the French colonial appearance of the late 1600s, when the square was developed under Louis XIV. Look for the bust of the “Sun King” as another reminder of royal French influence.

After exploring the square, head toward its northwestern corner, following Notre-Dame Street. In less than a minute, you will reach the corner of Petit-Champlain Street and Côte de la Montagne. Look up at the tall wall on your left to find the Fresque des Québécois. Covering the side of a building, this enormous trompe-l'œil mural creates the illusion of balconies, staircases, windows, and streets populated by more than 100 figures from Quebec City's history. The remarkable three-dimensional effect makes it one of the city's most photographed landmarks and rewards a few minutes spent identifying its famous historical characters and recognizable local monuments.

Apart from atmospheric photos, a quiet church visit and boutique browsing, Royal Square is also ideal for a coffee break – at La Maison Smith. From here, you can continue easily toward Petit-Champlain, another charming area of shops and historic spots.