Audio Guide: Old Quebec Walk (Self Guided), Quebec City

The historic part of Quebec City known as Old Quebec (French: Vieux-Québec), sometimes also referred to as the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin), is the neighborhood centered around Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant), located on the eastern edge of Quebec hill promontory. The area comprises Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower Town (Basse-Ville) and is currently listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

In 1608, French explorer Samuel de Champlain chose the land of today's Upper Town to set up Fort Saint Louis, the precursor of Quebec City. After the British Conquest, the territory was occupied mainly by British government officials and Catholic clergy, while merchants and artisans, both French and English, settled in the Lower Town. Much of Quebec's traditional architecture – dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries – is concentrated in the old part of the city.

Among the most notable buildings here is the Church of Our Lady of Victories (Notre-Dame-des-Victoires), constructed between 1687 and 1723, as well as some civic buildings like the Quebec City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) and the Museum of the Central Hospital of the Augustinian Convent of Quebec (Musee des Augustines de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec).

The ancient stones and winding streets give this area a distinctly European feel. The abundance of shops and restaurants, as well as hotels, such as the imposing historic Frontenac Castle (Château Frontenac), makes the Old City a very popular tourist destination. Also adding to its appeal, albeit modern in terms of architecture, is the Museum of Civilization (Musée de la Civilisation).

The Upper and Lower towns of Old Quebec are connected by numerous staircases, the most notable of which, undoubtedly, is the "Breakneck Stairway". Among other things, this staircase is renowned for the marvelous view opening from its top and the vicinity of the Old Quebec funicular, which links the Upper Town to the historic Petit-Champlain street copiously lined with small boutiques.

If you're in the mood for a bit of Europe organically blended into the Canadian setting, or perhaps would like to have some insight into the New World's history and enjoy great food along the way, you can find all of this and more in the old part of Quebec City. Just embark on our self-guided walking tour and see for yourself!