For travelers craving the romance and elegance of Paris but looking to avoid the crowds and long flights, Quebec City in Canada offers an irresistible alternative. With its cobblestone streets, French cafes, and rich cultural heritage, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a captivating blend of Old World charm and North American vitality. Here’s why Quebec City should be your next destination—and how to make the most of your visit.
A European gem in North America
Quebec City captures the essence of France’s timeless elegance but with a distinct North American twist. Unlike Paris, which welcomed nearly 30 million visitors in 2023, Quebec City draws far fewer tourists, offering a more relaxed atmosphere that invites you to linger. Flights from the United States are significantly shorter, making it a convenient escape from the hustle and bustle.
“The city is French-speaking, but it’s also North American and unique,” says David Mendel, a historian who has lived in both Paris and Old Quebec. French, British, and indigenous influences weave seamlessly through the city’s architecture, cuisine, and everyday life, creating a truly singular experience.
French language, heritage, and architecture
Strolling through Quebec City’s old town feels like stepping into a European postcard. Narrow cobblestone streets wind past cafes bathed in warm candlelight, yellow awnings flutter above shop windows, and flower boxes spill vibrant color from every ledge. Seventeenth-century stone buildings topped with steep mansard roofs give the city an unmistakably French flavor.
Quebec City was once the capital of New France, the French empire in North America during the 1600s and 1700s. Perched on a promontory overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the city’s strategic port connected North America to the Atlantic and the wider world. Dominating the skyline, the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel—with its copper roof, towers, and turrets—is often called the most photographed hotel in the world. Built by Canadian Pacific Railway in the French “Châteauesque” style, it was designed to lure tourists with its fairy-tale grandeur.
The fortified upper town, with its preserved city walls, remains the only fully intact walled city north of Mexico. Its European allure was so authentic that Quebec City even doubled for France in the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can.
What to see and do in Quebec City
Most of Quebec City’s highlights lie within a comfortable walking distance. Explore the boutique-lined streets of Quartier Petit-Champlain, browse art galleries and antiques on Rue Saint-Paul, or wander the expansive Plaines d’Abraham park, which marks the historic battleground between French and British forces.
Like Paris, Quebec City has its own Notre-Dame Cathedral. The white stone Neoclassical building is the first Catholic cathedral north of Mexico and one of only seven holy doors worldwide. “Walking through its courtyard archway, you truly feel like you’re in Europe,” notes Mendel. Despite its deep history, Quebec City pulses with life, its institutions still operating in buildings dating back to the 1600s.
While the city gets chillier than Paris in winter, locals embrace the cold with flair. The famous Quebec Winter Carnival features ice canoe races, snow baths, and warming spiced Caribou drinks—a mulled wine perfect for mittened hands. You can also toboggan down Dufferin Terrace or soak in steam at the Strøm Nordic Spa while watching ice crackle on the St. Lawrence River, making winter visits magical.
Michelin-starred dining with a local twist
In 2025, Quebec joined Vancouver and Toronto as one of Canada’s Michelin-rated culinary destinations. François-Emmanuel Nicol, chef at the acclaimed Tanière3, played a key role in attracting Michelin’s attention. His restaurant, renowned for blending foraged Indigenous ingredients with French techniques, earned two Michelin stars in May. “Québec’s culinary scene is distinct,” Nicol says. “Surrounded by farmland and wild ingredients, foraging is central to our identity.” Diners rave about tasting menus served in atmospheric stone cellar vaults.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s culinary director, Frédéric Cyr, highlights Quebec’s unique blend of North American and French influences. Beyond staples like poutine and maple syrup, Quebec boasts nutty cheeses and sweet strawberries. Don’t miss Bistro Le SAM’s French onion soup topped with bubbly Le 1608 de Charlevoix cheese. Many chefs forge close ties with local suppliers on nearby Île d’Orléans, a rich agricultural island supplying much of the region’s produce.
Epicurean tours and local flavors
Île d’Orléans, often called Quebec City’s “garden,” is a must-visit for food lovers. Tours with Concierge du Terroir showcase orchard delights like sparkling wines and apple nachos. Indulge in black currant vanilla swirl soft serve at Cassis Monna & Filles or savor Belgian chocolate-covered ice cream at Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans.
Frantz Noël, co-owner of Concierge du Terroir and a Paris transplant, says Quebec City’s café culture echoes Paris’s but with a more relaxed vibe—patio chairs face inward for conversation rather than out onto busy streets. Tours often start at Montmorency Falls, where cascading waters plunge nearly 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls, offering a breathtaking introduction to the island’s natural beauty.
Where to stay: From historic charm to icy adventures
For a boutique stay rich with history, Auberge Saint-Antoine blends museum artifacts from three centuries of Quebec history with cozy comfort. Of course, the legendary Fairmont Le Château Frontenac enchants with its stenciled ceilings, crackling fireplaces, and sweeping views over the St. Lawrence River.
For those seeking a truly unique experience, North America’s only ice hotel, Hôtel de Glace, awaits about 20 miles northeast of Old Quebec. Rebuilt each winter with a new artistic theme, it offers guests the chance to soak in hot tubs beneath the stars and sleep in igloo-style rooms on ice beds—an unforgettable adventure in frosty luxury.
Quebec City invites you to savor the best of French charm with a fresh and friendly North American spirit. With its rich history, stunning architecture, world-class cuisine, and welcoming culture, it’s the perfect alternative to Paris for travelers looking to explore without the crowds—and discover a magical city all its own.
