The 9 essential things to do in Quebec

Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the historic heart of the city and the only fortified part of North America north of Mexico. Its cobbled streets, lined with old façades, connect Upper Town — crowned by the Château Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace, with its view over the St. Lawrence — to Lower Town and Place-Royale, the cradle of New France. You move between the ramparts and the Saint-Jean and Saint-Louis gates, and the quarter takes on a different feel in the evening, under the lights.

Opened in 1893, the Château Frontenac is Québec's iconic hotel and one of the most photographed buildings in the country. Set on Cap Diamant, above Dufferin Terrace, it dominates the St. Lawrence with its French-château silhouette. It's a working hotel, but you can freely approach its surroundings and the terrace, and guided tours reveal its history and lounges.

In Lower Town, at the foot of Cap Diamant, the Petit-Champlain district is one of the oldest commercial areas in North America. Its cobbled lanes and old houses hold artisan shops, studios and restaurants. You climb to Upper Town via the Breakneck Stairs or the funicular, and Place-Royale, where the first French colony settled, opens up nearby. The quarter is especially lively and lit up in the evening.

Perched on Cap Diamant, at the highest point of Old Quebec, the Citadelle is an active military fortress and the residence of the Royal 22e Régiment. Its ramparts, bastions and cannons trace Canada's military history, and the guided tour gives access to the regiment's museum and the fortifications. From the top of the walls, the view opens onto the St. Lawrence River and the old town. In summer, the Changing of the Guard takes place in traditional dress.

About twelve kilometres east of the city, Montmorency Falls plunges 83 metres into the St. Lawrence — some thirty metres higher than Niagara Falls. A suspension bridge spans the top of the cascade, a cable car links the bottom to the top of the site, and a staircase runs right alongside the falls. In winter, the frozen spray forms an ice "sugar loaf" at the base. The park also has trails and picnic areas.

At the heart of Upper Town, Notre-Dame-de-Québec Cathedral is the seat of the oldest Catholic diocese in the Americas north of Mexico. The first church was built in 1647 by French settlers; the present building, completed in 1843, is neo-classical. Inside, stained glass and religious works recall its significance; the cathedral also holds a crypt where governors of New France and bishops lie. It has one of the few Holy Doors outside Rome.

In the middle of the St. Lawrence, facing Montmorency Falls, Île d'Orléans is nicknamed the "Garden of Quebec" for its farmland: strawberries, apples, maple syrup, vineyards and cheese dairies. It's reached by a bridge from the north shore, and Route 368 loops around the island linking its villages, such as Sainte-Pétronille and Saint-Jean. It's a rural, foodie escape, best done by car.

The Samuel-De Champlain Promenade runs along the St. Lawrence for a few kilometres, southwest of the centre. Laid out as a riverside park, it alternates lawns, river viewpoints and contemporary installations, with separate paths for walkers and cyclists. It's one of locals' favourite spots to walk, run or cycle, especially at the end of the day when the light falls on the water.

Housed in the Séminaire de Québec, founded in 1663, the Museum of French America is the oldest museum in Canada: its collection began in 1806. It traces the history and spread of French culture across North America, through artworks, religious pieces and scientific collections. The setting — a heritage complex in the heart of Old Quebec — is part of the visit.