Old Quebec, also known as Vieux-Québec in French (pronounced [vjø kebɛk]), is a historic neighborhood in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It includes the Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower Town (Basse-Ville). This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For government purposes, Old Quebec is part of the Vieux-Québec–Cap-Blanc–colline Parlementaire district in the La Cité-Limoilou borough.
People often refer to the area as "the Old City" or "Quebec's Old City" in English. It is sometimes called the Latin Quarter (Quartier latin) in French. However, this name mainly refers to the area around the Séminaire de Québec, which was the original location of Laval University.
Upper Town
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain selected the Upper Town as the location for Fort Saint Louis. The area remained the city's military and administrative center because of its important location on the high point of Cap Diamant. After the British Conquest, British government officials and Catholic clergy mainly lived there, while French and English merchants and artisans resided in Lower Town.
Military use slowed growth in the Upper Town for many years. In the late 19th century, a movement began to tear down the fortifications, which were seen as outdated and a barrier to city development. Lord Dufferin successfully convinced officials to preserve and rebuild the fort.
The area declined and fell into disrepair in the 1950s but saw new construction projects begin in the 1970s.
Most buildings in the Upper Town date to the 19th century, though some are from the 17th and 18th centuries. The area includes commercial streets such as Saint Jean, Sainte Anne, and De Buade. Public institutions located there include Quebec City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), the Séminaire de Québec, the Ursulines Convent, the Augustinian Monastery, and l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec. Hotels such as the Château Frontenac are also present, making the Old City a popular tourist destination.
Parks in the Upper Town include De l'Esplanade, Artillerie, Des Gouverneurs, Montmorency, and the grounds of l’Hôtel-de-Ville.
Lower Town
The Lower Town is a historic district situated at the base of Cap Diamant. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain built a settlement, and the remains of this structure can still be seen, with Place Royale at its center. The area was restored to recreate the French style from the time it was first built. Construction of the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires began in 1687 at this location and was completed in 1723. The Musée de la civilisation, the Musée naval de Québec, the caserne Dalhousie, and the Théâtre Petit Champlain are among the museums, performance halls, theatres, and exhibition venues located in Lower Town.
From the Port of Quebec, visitors can see places such as the Louise Basin, Brown Basin, La Pointe-à-Carcy, the Gare du Palais, and the Marche du Vieux-Port.
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, formerly known as Saint-Charles Street, the first paved road in Quebec.
A funicular (Old Quebec Funicular) provides easy transportation up Cap Diamant, connecting the narrow Petit-Champlain road at the foot of the cape to the top, offering a marvelous view of the city. Côte de la Montagne is another option for hikers.
The Historic District of Old Quebec
The Old Quebec heritage site is located in Quebec City, but it is officially part of the borough La Cité-Limoilou. It is recognized as an important part of Quebec’s cultural history and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1956, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was given the power to take over or purchase any site, building, or place that is considered historically important or significant to the nation.
The historic district of Old Quebec was created after public discussions from 1945 to 1965 about preserving Old Quebec and restoring Place Royale. The district became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
The district was officially established by the National Assembly of Quebec on July 10, 1963, after changes to the Historic Sites and Monuments Act. This law made the area in the city’s historic region a "Declared Historic District" by the province of Quebec. The area was expanded the following year to cover 135 hectares (330 acres). It includes 1,400 buildings in the La Cité neighborhood, such as the Cap Diamant promontory and a strip of land between the Saint-Charles River and the Saint Lawrence River. The protected area was defined in two steps. The first step included the fortified area and its surrounding land. The second step added more areas to the plan on May 7, 1964. The entire district covers a total area of 1.4 square kilometers.
On December 3, 1985, UNESCO officially named the Historic District of Old Quebec a World Heritage Site.
Transportation
Old Quebec is served by the Gare du Palais train and bus station. The station was opened in 1915 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and has a design similar to the Château Frontenac. Via Rail offers regular train rides to Montreal through Drummondville. The station is also served by the private transportation company Orléans Express. Old Quebec is located 16 kilometers east of Quebec's Jean Lesage International Airport.