Old Quebec

Samuel de Champlain chose the Upper Town as the site for Fort Saint Louis in 1608. It has remained the city's military and administrative centre because of its strategic position atop the promontory of Cap Diamant. It was occupied mainly by British government officials and Catholic clergy after the British Conquest, while French and English merchants and artisans lived in Lower Town.

Most of the buildings in Upper Town date to the early 19th century. The John Darlington Building, in view here, dates to the late 18th century

Military use did hamper growth in the Upper Town for many years, and a movement arose in the late 19th century to demolish the fortifications as obsolete and as an obstacle to urban development. It was Lord Dufferin who successfully persuaded officials to preserve and rebuild them.

The area declined and fell into disrepair in the 1950s but new building construction began in the 1970s.

Erected in 1896, Quebec City Hall is situated in Upper Town.

Most of the buildings date to the 19th century, although some date to the 17th and 18th centuries. The area has several commercial streets like Saint Jean, Sainte Anne and De Buade. Some public administration and other institutions in the Upper Town are the Quebec City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), the Séminaire de Québec, the Ursulines Convent, and the Augustinian Monastery and l'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec. There are many hotels, including the Château Frontenac, the Old City being a very popular tourist destination.

Parks in the Upper Town include De l'Esplanade, Artillerie, Des Gouverneurs and Montmorency parks as well as the grounds of l’Hotel-de-Ville.

The Lower Town is a historic district located at the bottom of Cap Diamant. During 1608, Samuel de Champlain built a habitation where its remains can be found with Place Royale as its centre. It was restored with the goal of reconstructing the French flair from its origins. Construction of the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires started during 1687 at this location and was completed during 1723. The Musée de la civilisation, the Musée naval de Québec, the caserne Dalhousie and the Théâtre Petit Champlain are among some of the museums, performance halls, theatres and exhibition venues in Lower Town.

Erected in 1687, the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires is one of many buildings in Lower Town dating back to the 17th and 18th century.

Places such as the Louise Basin, Brown Basin, La –Pointe-à-Carcy, the Gare du Palais and the Marche du Vieux-Port can be seen from the Port of Quebec.

Other places of interest include:

• Place de Paris,
• Parc Ulric-Joseph-Tessier,
• Saint-Pierre Street,
• Saint-Paul Street,
• Sault-au-Matelot Street and
• Saint-Vallier Est Street, previously called Saint-Charles Street, the first paved road in Quebec.

A funicular (Old Quebec Funicular) allows for easy transportation up Cap Diamant connecting to Upper Town from the narrow Petit-Champlain road at the foot of the Cape to the top with a marvelous view of the city. Côte de la Montagne is another option for hikers.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site monument in Old Quebec. The organization designated the area a World Heritage site in 1985.

The Old Quebec heritage site is located in Quebec City although it is administratively recognized as a part of the borough La Cité-Limoilou. It has gained recognition as a part of Quebec's cultural heritage and is also among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.