Must-see attractions in Québec

  • Parc St-Viateur

    Montréal

    Just off Rue Bernard a small pedestrian lane leads to this small but handsomely landscaped neighborhood park. It has a bridge over a narrow circular…

  • Maison de la Culture Roland-Jomphe

    Québec

    Named for a poet who grew up in the area, this little museum, located in a former Hudson's Bay Company store, has exhibits about the region’s history, the…

  • Musée Historique du Comté de Brome

    Eastern Townships

    The exhibits at this museum include a recreated general store and courthouse (Sunday only) and, incongruously, a WWI Fokker D-VII plane. An on-site,…

  • Observation Tower

    Québec

    Near the northern tip of the island, in the village of St-François, this wooden observation tower provides views over the St Lawrence River, the north…

  • Centre d'Exposition de Val-d'Or

    Québec

    Various traveling exhibits and works by local artists, some of them indigenous, can be found within this center. It's a good spot to visit, make…

  • Galerie Blanc

    Montréal

    Sun, snow and lack of sobriety are no barrier at this free open-air art gallery smack in the middle of the Village's bar street. The often-abstract works…

  • Bromont Flea Market

    Eastern Townships

    More than 1000 vendors set up here, attracting thrifty weekend treasure-hunters from near and far. If anything else, it's a fascinating peek into the…

  • Molson Bank Building

    Old Montréal

    The Molson beer-brewing dynasty had its own bank, but the Molson Bank Building looks more like a royal residence; heads of founder William and his two…

  • Église St-Pierre

    Québec

    Built in 1719, this is the oldest church on the Île d'Orléans; it was declared a historical monument in 1954. Mass is no longer celebrated here, but it is…

  • Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse

    Québec

    The second-tallest lighthouse in Canada has a decent perch over the St Lawrence Seaway, at the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Site complex.

  • L'Homme

    Montréal

    This huge sculpture was created by famed artist Alexander Calder for Expo '67.

  • Frontenac Kiosk

    Québec City

    An entrance to both the Fortifications of Québec and St-Louis Forts & Châteaux national historic sites.

  • Seal Interpretation Center

    Îles de la Madeleine

    This museum delves into the biology and behavior of seals and explores their cultural significance to the islands, giving particular attention to the…

  • Church of the Holy Trinity

    Îles de la Madeleine

    Built in 1925, this Anglican church includes a stained-glass window that depicts Jesus clad in a woolen jumper and boots and saying, 'Come with me and I…

  • Centre d'Interprétation Mines Seleine

    Îles de la Madeleine

    At the end of a windswept sandbank, the island's industrial salt mine – one of the earliest economic engines of settlement – excavates at a depth of 300m…

  • Cathédrale de St-Jerôme

    The Laurentians

    This castle-like house of worship built in 1897 boasts stunning stained-glass windows and Venetian chandeliers. It was made a cathedral in 1951. Enter…

  • Fondation Phi

    Old Montréal

    Opened in 2007, this excellent contemporary-art gallery in a heritage building features mind-bending works by artists such as Valérie Belin, Ryoji Ikeda…

  • La Société d'Histoire de Sherbrooke

    Eastern Townships

    This center offers an engaging introduction to the town's history and includes exhibitions on the odd Loyalist-Francophone identity of the Eastern…

  • Carrefour Culturel Paul Médéric

    Baie St Paul

    In this art centre, named after a local priest and writer who founded a youth movement here, several galleries show works by artists from around the…

  • Chisasibi Heritage & Cultural Centre

    Québec

    Visit this community center for exhibits and activities that highlight Cree heritage and culture. The gift shop sells locally made crafts.

  • Porte St-Jean

    Québec City

    Northernmost of the Old City's three main town gates, 'St John's Gate' was originally built in 1693 but replaced with this one in 1940.

  • Porte St-Louis

    Québec City

    Southernmost of the Old City's three main town gates, 'St Louis' Gate' was built at the end of the 17th century and replaced in 1878.

  • Cathédrale St-Michel

    Eastern Townships

    Quietly overlooking the action from its hilltop perch is the Cathédrale St-Michel, a monumental granite, Gothic-style edifice.

  • Musée des Beaux-Arts

    Eastern Townships

    This museum has a good permanent collection featuring works by regional artists; it also stages temporary exhibitions.

  • Église St-Jean

    Québec

    This massive granite church with large red doors and a towering steeple in the hamlet of St-Jean was built in 1749.

  • Musée Régional de Rimouski

    Québec

    This gallery in a renovated stone church has contemporary art exhibitions and regular events including film nights.

  • Lorne Kiosk

    Québec City

    An entrance to the St-Louis Forts & Châteaux National Historic Site.

  • Old Customs House

    Old Montréal

    The former customs house was built in 1836 and lies on a historic stretch of Old Montréal.

  • Jardins des Floralies

    Montréal

    In spring and summer, these flower-filled gardens are a delight to stroll through.

  • Rue de l’Hôpital & Around

    Old Montréal

    Named for a hospice set up by nuns in the 17th century, the Rue de l’Hôpital and adjoining streets are full of architectural quirks and highlights. On the…

  • Duthie’s Point Heritage Site

    Gaspé Peninsula

    This historic village in New Richmond, a prosperous little town that retains a sizable Anglophone population, shows what the community would have looked…

  • Marché Bonsecours

    Old Montréal

    This sprawling neoclassical building houses shops selling tourist-targeted arts and crafts, leather goods and garments, and several cafes. The upstairs…

  • Quai Alexandra & Around

    Old Montréal

    This easternmost pier in the port is home to the Iberville Passenger Terminal, the dock for cruise ships that ply the St Lawrence River as far as the…

  • Église St-Jean-Baptiste

    Québec City

    This colossus, named after the patron saint of French Canada, completely dominates the southwest end of Rue St-Jean. The first church was built in 1842…

  • Hamilton Manor

    Gaspé Peninsula

    The Palladian Hamilton Manor was built in 1852 by the town's first mayor. It's a wonderful portrait of colonial life – from the picture of Queen Victoria…

  • Granby Zoo

    Eastern Townships

    The town of Granby is known far and wide in Québec as the home of this zoo, with its 1000-plus animals including reptiles, gorillas and elephants. One of…