What better than a resident of Quebec City to reveal the best photographic viewpoints and best camera angles of his city? What could have been more appropriate, for a blogger with a passion for travel and photography, than to write his first post about his own city? What could be better if, on top of that, the city is considered as one of Canada’s most beautiful and an outstanding tourism destination?
The Château Frontenac
The monument most associated with Quebec City is unquestionably the Château Frontenac. Even though this attraction actually looks like a castle, it is in fact just a luxurious hotel. As a matter of fact, it is generally recognized as the world’s most photographed hotel. Thanks to its hillside situation on the Dufferin Terrace, the edifice impressively overlooks the Saint Lawrence River.
The vantage point from the Pierre-Dugua-de-Mons Terrace is among the most spectacular. When Northern Lights show up, like on this photo, it becomes breathtaking.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
On the Dufferin Terrace, the camera angles are many
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
From the corner of rue Dalhousie and rue Marché-Champlain. Majestic!
[/columns]
From the corner of rue Notre-Dame and rue du Cul de Sac. A striking low-angle shot
From the corner of rue du Fort and rue de Buade
Some citizens of the city of Levis say that the best view point of Quebec is from their side of the river. One must take the Quebec City-Levis Ferry in order to see if it’s true… with good eyes or through a telescope.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
From Lévis
On the ferryboat
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
From the corner of rue Saint-Louis and rue Haldimand
[/columns]
From the roof of the place des canotiers garage
From the Agora du Port de Québec
Le Petit-Champlain
The Petit-Champlain is situated beneath the Château Frontenac. It’s a very picturesque neighborhood and as appealing during winter as it is during summer. When wandering in it, it feels like in France without the Frenchies. Awesome!
Rue du Petit-Champlain
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
Place Royale, where the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church sits
Rue Notre-Dame
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
Fresque des Québecois and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church in the background
Fresque du Petit-Champlain
[/columns]
The City Walls
Quebec City claims to be the only walled city in North-America, which would be true if Mexico was not in North-America. It’s a special city nevertheless. Several large gate entrances lead into the old city.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
Place d’Youville at the outskirt of the walled city
Porte Saint-Jean is the busiest of all the gates
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
Porte Saint Louis leads straight to the Château Frontenac, and to the Citadelle at the same time.
La Porte Kent is the less used entrance, but not ugly whatsoever.
[/columns]
Inside the Fortifications
Besides the Château Frontenac, several important building lie within the walls of the old city. Among them, the Edifice Price is the tallest building in the area, and one of the oldest skyscrapers in Canada. The Premier of Quebec officially occupies two of the upper floors of the building… in case you want to say hello. Just saying.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
The Edifice Price is the tallest building within the city walls
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
The Musée de l’Amérique Francophone
The Hôtel de ville is where the municipal affairs are debated
[/columns]
The inner courtyard of the Séminaire de Québec is largely unknown to the general public
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
Rue Saint-Jean
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
Rue Sainte-Anne
[/columns]
The Parliament Building
The Parliament Building is home to the Parliament of the Province of Quebec. It’s another prominent building in the skyline of the National Capital.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
The parliament of Quebec
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
The Tourny Fountain, located in front of the Parliament of Quebec
[/columns]
The Pont de Quebec
The Pont de Quebec is an architectural marvel. Although a large number of Quebeckers would love to see the bridge disappear because it shows evidence of severe deferred maintenance, they can’t prevent it from being part of the historical and cultural heritage of the city. To those who are interested, the Quebec Bridge has the longest cantilever bridge span in the world. If you don’t know what it means, I’m sorry that you have lost your time reading a phrase that makes no sense.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
The Quebec Bridge, seen from the Aquarium of Quebec
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
The Quebec Bridge, seen from the other side of the River
[/columns]
Montmorency Falls
A tour of the region of Quebec would not be complete without a stop at Montmorency Falls. At 83 meters high, the falls are the highest in the province of Quebec and 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. Just enough for saying that after you’ve seen Montmorency Falls, it’s as if you’ve seen Niagara Falls.
Montmorency Falls during summer, from the top of the staircases
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
Montmorency Falls – the staircases
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
Montmorency Falls – View on the river
[/columns]
Montmorency Falls during Winter
The sugarloaf forming at the base of Montmorency Falls during Winter
Chaudiere Falls
While exiting Quebec, shortly past the Pierre-Laporte Bridge, the remarkable Chaudieres Falls can be seen.
Chaudieres Falls during summer
After heavy rains, the Chaudieres Falls are spectacular
The parc-linéaire-de-la-Rivière-Beauport
This is personal favorite. Few locals know about this waterfall that bears no name, which is good to preserve its peacefulness. It is located in the Parc linéaire de la Rivière Beauport.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
The waterfall in the parc linéraire de la Rivière-Beauport
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
The waterfall in the parc linéraire de la Rivière-Beauport
[/columns]
The Jean-Larose Waterfall
Another personal favorite is the Jean-Larose waterfall, which is not strictly speaking in Quebec City, but it can be accessed within a 30 minutes drive from the old city and an easy 10 minutes hike.
The Jean-Larose Waterfall
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré
The basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupré is the second oldest place of pilgrimage in North-America. Dedicated to saint Anne, the grand mother of Jesus, it attracts more than a million visitors annually from all over the world.
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”false”]
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
[/columns]
[columns size=”1/2″ last=”true”]
The basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
The basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
[/columns]
Viewpoint Locator
The following map will help you locate the Viewpoints listed in this post.
This list of attractions is obviously not exhaustive. These viewpoints are accessible in all seasons and for free. Memorable moments can be captured at different times of the year. If you have the chance to visit Quebec City during winter, you’ll be able to experiment the Ice Hotel, the Village Vacances Valcartier, the Quebec Winter Carnival or the various ski resorts around. During summer, many festivals are schedule. Among them, the Festival d’été de Québec, which lasts for two weeks, is one of the best and most attractive music festival in North-America.
I often said that only after I left my parents’ place did I realize that my mom’s food is the best I’ve tasted. In the same vein, I tell my fellow-Quebec-citizens that it’s when they’ll start travelling that they’ll realize how lucky they are to be living in such a gorgeous city. It is told that Quebec is the most European city out of Europe. Well, for having seen many cities in Europe, I can easily argue that if Quebec City were located in Europe, it would be one of the 10 most beautiful. What do you think?
==> Download all our photos of Canada for free!
