Old Quebec and the port
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, the Old Quebec district, the most visited in the province, extends partly at water level and partly on the strategic heights of Cap Diamant. Champlain chose the upper part in 1620 to build Fort Saint-Louis. The vocation of the two parts dates from this period: Basse-Ville was reserved for merchants and craftsmen, while Haute-Ville was the quarters for soldiers, civil servants and clergy. Work on the fortified enclosure began at the end of the 17th century and ended in 1832 with the completion of the citadel. Today, numerous political and religious institutions occupy pride of place in the Upper Town: Hôtel de Ville, Séminaire de Québec, Ursuline convent, Augustine monastery, Hôtel-Dieu hospital. In the Lower Town, the city's commercial and artisanal vocation is confirmed in the Petit Champlain district, with its fine stores selling handicrafts, mainly from Quebec. Administratively, Old Quebec also includes the Plains of Abraham (named after the battle in which France lost its colony) and Parliament Hill.
Quartier Petit Champlain. A visit to Quebec City wouldn't be complete without a stroll through the Petit Champlain district, a cute little neighborhood reminiscent of a French village of yesteryear.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Montcalm
Saint-Jean-Baptiste (Faubourg Saint-Jean). In the early days of the French regime, Faubourg Saint-Jean was part of the suburbs, mainly because of its location outside the fortified city walls. Its real development didn't begin until the early 19th century, when it was populated by craftsmen, shopkeepers and workers. In 1929, it was renamed Saint-Jean-Baptiste, in honor of the patron saint of French Canadians. Today, the district is a hub of economic activity, with numerous administrative buildings, including government ministries. Rue Saint-Jean and Grande Allée, on the edge of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district, are overflowing with stores, restaurants and bars.
Montcalm. Located in the La Cité-Limoilou borough, this is one of the 35 districts of the Quebec capital. It has been part of Quebec City since Montcalm was annexed to the central city in 1913. Named in honor of Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, it is part of Quebec City's Upper Town, and lies to the west of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Vieux-Québec - Cap-Blanc - Colline Parlementaire districts. The district's main functions are residential and commercial.
Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Roch, Limoilou and the north
Saint-Sauveur. Formerly communal lands under the French regime, it wasn't until the early 19th century that development of the area got underway, notably due to the success of shipyards, the lumber trade and port activity. The population also increased following the great Saint-Roch fire of 1845. The autonomous municipality of Saint-Sauveur also experienced its own fire in 1889, when a third of the parish was consumed, and was annexed to Quebec City the same year after a referendum. Today, Saint-Sauveur is a district in full revitalization, with an abundance of good places to eat and drink, notably along rue Saint-Vallier Ouest.
Saint-Roch. This is one of Quebec City's oldest suburbs, and above all, a fashionable one. Many art galleries, artists' residences, bistros and fashion stores are to be found here. The district developed in the mid-18th century with the advent of shipyards along the Saint-Charles River. A century later, the economy focused on shipbuilding. But this activity, along with other types of industry developed later, declined. In the second half of the 20th century, the neighborhood was among the poorest in the city. In the 1990s, the rehabilitation of the main streets began, notably Rue Saint-Joseph. Today, with its industrial past, charming alleyways and quality shops, it's a district well worth a visit.
Limoilou. This neighborhood is located north of Saint-Roch, on the other side of the Saint-Charles River. It takes its name from the manor house where Jacques Cartier spent the last years of his life, in Brittany, western France. Originally made up of two small villages, the district subsequently opened up to urban expansion, becoming a municipality in 1893 and a district of Quebec City in 1909. The 2002 merger of Lairet, Maizerets and Vieux-Limoilou created the borough of Limoilou. The latter is considered the Quebec equivalent of Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal. In fact, today it's inhabited by a rather young and trendy population. You'll find great little restaurants, cafés and boutiques of all kinds, especially on3rd Avenue. For sunbathing, the Anse-à-Cartier park on the banks of the Saint-Charles River is the place to be. A linear park (32 km) follows this river, linking the Old Port to Lake Saint-Charles, via Wendake.
Sainte-Foy, Sillery and Cap-Rouge
Located to the west of the city, the borough of Sainte-Foy, Sillery and Cap-Rouge boasts a 15-km shoreline on the St. Lawrence River, and offers a wealth of nature and recreational activities, including the Cap-Rouge nautical park, the Plage-Jacques-Cartier park and the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain. The latter, inaugurated in 2008 to mark the 400th anniversary of Québec City, runs for almost 4.3 km along the St. Lawrence River. It's a great place to walk or cycle, picnic, enjoy the beach and pool, follow the interpretation trail and admire the public art along the way. The borough also boasts a rich historical heritage dating back as far as 1541, when Jacques Cartier is said to have made a first attempt to establish a colony at the mouth of the Cap Rouge River. The Cap Rouge area boasts no fewer than 75 heritage buildings. Last but not least, the borough boasts a strong, diversified economy, with boutiques and superstores as well as small local businesses (Campanile area, Maguire, Myrand and Provancher streets), educational institutions (including Université Laval) and healthcare facilities.
