Quebec City and the St. Lawrence
A walled old town above the river, and the waterway that leads to it.
Get Quebec Cruise QuotesThe Old City on the Cliff
Few cruise arrivals match sailing up the St. Lawrence to Quebec City, with the Chateau Frontenac high on the cliff above the river. The historic district of Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its ramparts make it one of the few fortified cities in North America.
The Port of Québec welcomes ships at terminals right below the old town, so you can walk to the narrow streets of the Petit-Champlain quarter and Place Royale in minutes, then ride the funicular or climb the stairs to the upper town.
A Day in Quebec City
Lower town: Petit-Champlain’s shops and cafés, the square of Place Royale and the riverside.
Upper town: the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk beside the Chateau Frontenac, the city walls and the Plains of Abraham, where a decisive battle was fought in 1759.
Out of town: Montmorency Falls, higher than Niagara Falls, and the farms and villages of Île d’Orléans are both popular half-day tours.
Sailing the St. Lawrence
The St. Lawrence is the route into the heart of French Canada. Depending on the itinerary, ships call at ports along the river and the Gulf, such as Gaspé, Sept-Îles or Baie-Comeau, or sail into the Saguenay Fjord to the port of Saguenay at La Baie. Upriver, Montreal is a terminus for some voyages. Whales feed in the estuary in summer and early autumn, and many itineraries include scenic cruising through this stretch.
An Evening in Old Quebec
If your ship overnights, the old town changes character after dark. The walls and the Chateau Frontenac are floodlit, street performers gather near the funicular in summer, and restaurants in the lower town serve Quebec dishes such as tourtière and maple desserts. A walk along the Dufferin Terrace at night, with the lights of Lévis across the river, is one of the best free experiences on the whole voyage.
Planning a Quebec Start or Finish
- Arrive a day early if your cruise starts in Quebec City, or stay on after a finish to enjoy the old town.
- If your voyage begins in Quebec and ends in the U.S., or the reverse, check flights carefully; open-jaw tickets are common.
- Pack comfortable shoes: the city is hilly, with steep stairs between the lower and upper towns.
Quebec City Questions
Do I need to speak French in Quebec City?
No. French is the main language, but people working in tourism usually speak English. A few words of French are always appreciated.
Do cruises overnight in Quebec City?
Many do, especially at the start or end of a one-way voyage. An overnight lets you see the old town lit up in the evening.
Can I start my cruise in Quebec City?
Yes. Quebec City and Montreal are departure and arrival ports for one-way Canada and New England voyages. Plan to arrive a day early.
Cruise to Quebec City
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