Saint-Jean-Baptiste Neighbourhood

Épicerie européenne in Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Audet Photo

With its steep-sloped streets, colourful houses piled one on top of the other, and its fun-loving and welcoming character, Saint-Jean-Baptiste is the festive neighbourhood par excellence!  

Saint-Jean Baptiste Neighbourhood Map

Sandwiched between Old Québec and Montcalm, rue Saint-Jean, the main shopping street, runs through the entire neighbourhood. Over barely 1 km, you can find everything you need to please everyone, and then some! In summer, a portion of rue Saint-Jean converts into a pedestrian-only street.

Two girls having a coffee in a pedestrian street
@cantookcafe

Foodies will go crazy for the little bistros that feature local cuisine, as well as all the food-related shops: fine bakeries, grocery stores, chocolate stores, health-food counters, cafés, gelateria… Open since 1871, the J.A. Moisan grocery store prides itself on being the oldest grocery store in North America!

The culinary adventure continues with a bit of bar and pub-hopping, where the flowing taps of microbrewery beers from Québec City and all over the province await you. Live music, jam sessions, poetry readings, artistic performances: Saint-Jean-Baptiste's stages welcome a host of events to get your feet moving and liven up your nights.

Rue Saint-Jean with spring flowers
@terreseche213

Along rue Saint-Jean, fill your bookcases with second-hand treasures and beef up your music library with tips from passionate record dealers.

Finally, shopping on rue Saint-Jean wouldn't be the same without a visit to the many little shops, where you can find something to wear or decorate your place with taste

A Bit of History

Originally a faubourg of Old Québec (a faubourg is a district located outside city walls) from the 17th century, Saint-Jean-Baptiste has always been a working-class district, inhabited by craftsmen and merchants. The area was ravaged by fire in the 19th century, but quickly bounced back and became a lively and tolerant district, open to social mixing and diversity in every shape or form.

Insider Tips

Julie et Simon dans Saint-jean-Baptiste

Do Saint-Jean-Baptiste Like a Local

Julia and Simon chose 7 places everyone should visit just outside the walls of Old Québec, on Rue Saint-Jean. 

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Girls walking on rue Saint-Jean

8 Best Restaurants in Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Foodies love the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhood! What about you?

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Events in Saint-Jean-Baptiste

  • Schuldt dirige la Première de Mahler

    Schuldt dirige la Première de Mahler

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  • Bobby Bazini
    Bobby Bazini
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  • Casse-Noisette
    The Nutcracker
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  • Steve Hill
    Steve Hill
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  • Hollywood 7
    Hollywood 7
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  •  Half Moon Run
    Half Moon Run
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  • Bugs Bunny à l’Orchestre symphonique
    Bugs Bunny à l’Orchestre symphonique
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  • April Wine
    April Wine
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