Outside the City Centre

Sainte-Foy
Audet Photo

Beyond Old Québec and the city’s central neighbourhoods lie the suburbs of Québec City. Although these residential areas are mainly known as nice, quiet places to raise a family, many also have facilities, services and points of interest for visitors. Here’s a rundown of the main neighbourhoods outside the city centre.

Sillery

Visitors can reach Sillery by travelling west along majestic Grande Allée, then heading down Chemin Saint-Louis. This hidden gem of a neighbourhood combines elegant architecture and fine shopping on its lively main street, Avenue Maguire.

In addition to enjoying Sillery’s excellent restaurants and lively patios, visitors can spend time in nature at nearby Bois-de-Coulonge Park and along Samuel-De Champlain Promenade. In the summer, Station de la Plage offers a relaxing beach getaway.

 

Sainte-Foy

Those entering Québec City from the south shore of the St. Lawrence will cross into the city via Sainte-Foy. With numerous services and head offices, as well as multiple hospitals and major roadways, Sainte-Foy is truly a city within a city.

Sainte-Foy is a prime location for those who prefer to stay outside of downtown when travelling, and there’s plenty to do locally, including the Laurier Québec and Place Sainte-Foy malls, the Québec Aquarium, Université Laval and the Centre de glaces Ice Rink, the only indoor skating oval in Eastern Canada.

Lebourgneuf

Lebourgneuf is a newer neighbourhood with great infrastructure just north of the city centre, bordered by several major roads. While not quite a tourist destination in itself, Lebourgneuf can be a convenient place to book accommodations for easy access to other areas.

Shopping enthusiasts and families will also find plenty to do here, such as the indoor amusement park at Galeries de la Capitale mall.

Wendake

Just a twenty-minute drive from the city centre, Wendake offers a unique opportunity to be immersed in the rich culture of the Huron-Wendat Nation. Visitors can explore the attractions, shop at authentic craft stores and learn about the traditional knowledge of this nation. Round off the day by tasting traditional fare with a modern twist, with a menu featuring game and corn.

Charlesbourg

Charlesbourg is first and foremost a peaceful residential neighbourhood north of the city centre. At its heart is the Charlesbourg heritage site, also known as Trait-Carré, a historical village built in 1665 in one of the oldest seigneuries of New France. History buffs will love the village’s many ancestral homes, traditional Québécois houses and old farm buildings.

A major attraction at the site is the Moulin des Jésuites (Jesuit Mill), which features stonework, a steeply pitched roof with cedar shingles and asymmetrically placed windows and doors that hearken back to French architecture of the time.

Beauport

East of the city centre is another residential area called Beauport, where visitors will find a number of affordable hotels within easy reach of downtown and Montmorency Falls Park. In summer, residents and tourists alike converge on Baie de Beauport, an urban beach offering water sports and other festive programming.

Like Charlesbourg, Beauport was a major hub in the 17th century and boasts a wonderful heritage site. Visitors will love Beauport’s French-inspired rural homes, as well as more recent houses that exemplify the architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

You'll Also Like

  • Site Traditionnel Huron Onhoüa Chetek8e
    The Best Experiences to Discover the Indigenous Culture
    Read
  • Three friends are snowshoeing on the snow-capped Plains of Abraham and heading towards the historic Martello Tower.
    How to Embrace Responsible Travel in Old Québec
    Read
  • Two hikers walk in the snow at the foot of an icy waterfall, near Québec City.
    Ecotourism in Québec City: Places to Go & Things to Do
    Read
  • The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church, illuminated in the evening, at Place-Royale, in the Petit-Champlain district, in winter.
    14 Historic Places That Bring Québec City's Key Moments to Life
    Read
  • Couple dans un spa
    Switching to Slow Travel Mode in Québec City
    Read
  • Fairmont Le Château Frontenac - Château Frontenac l'hiver
    The Best Eco-Friendly Hotels in Québec City
    Read
  • Le Monastère des Augustines - Libre-service au Vivoir
    Vegetarian Restaurants in Québec City
    Read