Québec’s National Capital: Exceptional Places to Explore

For first-time visitors, the Observatoire de la Capitale is the perfect place to get a bird’s-eye view of the city, with breathtaking views in any season.

Audio descriptions enrich the experience with surprising facts that offer a whole new perspective on how the city has changed over the centuries. Come for the sweeping panoramic views; stay for the fascinating history.
 

Located on the Samuel-De Champlain Promenade, Station de la Plage invites us to spend a relaxing summer break on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Escape the daily grind, feet in the sand, or take a dip in the impressive infinity pool that gives the illusion of flowing into the river.

Swimming, sunbathing, and a worry-free atmosphere—it has all the ingredients for spending summer’s most beautiful days in Québec City.
 

The “cageux” in this reclaimed industrial wharf’s name refers to the 19th-century raftsmen who transported timber from the forests of Outaouais and Mauricie to be shipped to Great Britain.

The site includes a 20-metre-tall lookout tower with a unique view of the Québec Bridge, the St. Lawrence, and the Samuel-De Champlain Promenade. Complete with a nearby parking lot, multipurpose hall, and restroom facilities, the Quai des Cageux is the perfect gathering spot for cyclists, walkers, and picnickers.
 

In addition to the beach and exceptionally scenic bike path, the Samuel-De Champlain Promenade is home to a contemporary art park unlike any other in Québec.

Located between Station des Quais and Station de la Voile, the sprawling green space is dotted with ten large-scale sculptures for visitors to admire.

The park features works by Charles Daudelin, Hélène Rochette, Pierre Bourgault, Roland Poulin, Lewis Pagé, and other Québec-based artists. Don’t miss Alas de México by Jorge Marín, a pair of giant wings that transform every art appreciator into an angel, if only for a selfie!
 

Want to get immersed in the early chapters of Québec City’s history? Head to the Cartier-Roberval archaeological site. Walk the trail, pausing to read the interpretive signs along the way, and gaze out from the observation deck to fully appreciate the significance of this site that was once the first French colony in the Americas, while taking in various views of the Cap Rouge and St. Lawrence rivers.

For an even more immersive experience, there’s an augmented-reality app offering a glimpse of what the site might have looked like in the 16th century. It’s the closest thing we have to time travel.
 

Between the Pierre-Laporte Bridge and Gilmour Hill, the Samuel-De Champlain Promenade is a popular walking and cycling path along the edge of the St. Lawrence. It’s dotted with artwork, gardens, and interpretive signs.

One standout stop is the Boisé de Tequenonday, an old-growth wooded area crisscrossed with trails leading to sites where the ancestors of First Nations people lived nearly 6,000 years ago.
 

Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge is a vast green space with paths winding through peaceful woodlands, large open lawns, landscaped gardens, and historic buildings.

It’s also a renowned birdwatching site where patient birders can observe a wide variety of species in a peaceful setting. Come and breathe the fresh air, explore the space, and see fascinating plants and animals.

The site hosts an array of events and activities throughout the summer, with occasional programming at other times of the year.
 

Domaine Cataraqui is a captivating estate with a unique combination of sights and amenities. Overlooking the St. Lawrence, it offers architectural elegance, a historic villa, and a lovingly maintained vegetable garden.

Spend the day soaking up the atmosphere and history of a place that has been home to several members of high society over the years. There’s nothing quite like a stroll through the historic garden, surrounded by nature and echoes of the past.
 

The Boisé de Tequenonday is a peaceful oasis. Perched on a rocky ridge, it still bears the majesty of an ancient forest. A network of trails and lookout points offers many chances to observe the park’s diverse plant life, including many 200-year-old trees. Along the way, interpretive signs shed light on the site’s rich Indigenous history, going back nearly 6,000 years.
 

Standing at the foot of the ramparts, Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale was once exclusively used for military defence.
After the British troops left, the athletes moved in: The site became the city’s first indoor sports arena and was later converted into a tennis club.

In 1998, the CCNQ transformed it into the large urban plaza it is today. A stone’s throw from Old Québec, the site now offers the most beautiful views of the parliament building and the Tourny Fountain. A great spot for photos!
 

As the city’s maritime gateway for cruise ships, Place des Canotiers is a prime spot to enjoy a breathtaking view of Château Frontenac, the fortifications, and the historic buildings of Petit-Champlain.

We love to stroll among the public art pieces, walk to the lookout point for stunning vistas, or simply take a break on the comfortable benches. The interactive water feature is a family favourite on hot summer days, adding a touch of whimsy to Old Québec’s largest public space.
 

The Mural of Quebecers never fails to catch the eye, with detailed scenes of the capital city’s iconic architecture, landscapes, fortifications, and staircases set against a background of the changing seasons.

The mural also pays tribute to important historical figures, artists, and authors, incorporating their faces into a vibrant artistic composition that invites us all to look a little closer.

Located on one of the oldest streets in America, the Petit-Champlain Mural is a striking work of art that brings to life the history of Cap-Blanc, a former working-class port neighbourhood.

From New France to the present day, it depicts scenes involving fishing and seafaring, as well as major events that have shaped the neighbourhood, such as fires and landslides. Featuring historical figures, fictional characters, and memories of the past, the mural pieces together fragments of Old Québec’s history.
 

The impressive BMO Mural illustrates Québec’s political history in a series of images painted on the tallest building in the area. It shows Québec’s parliament building and other imagery that pays tribute to the city’s role as a seat of political power.
Commissioned to mark the 400th anniversary of Québec City, the mural features several prominent figures who have shaped political life across the province.

Visiting these iconic CCNQ-endorsed locations is an ideal way to experience the rich heritage and culture that make Québec City so unique.