CME Cruises Visiting Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Quebec City is a genuine treasure—a port where you can step off the ship and directly into the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is North America’s most convincingly European city, a place where the continent’s French soul is palpable. The cruise terminal’s prime location at the foot of Old Quebec means the city’s best is immediately accessible on foot. The experience is best understood as two distinct but connected areas. Begin in the Lower Town (Basse-Ville), a beautifully preserved 17th-century neighborhood. Here, you can wander the narrow cobblestone lanes of the Quartier Petit Champlain, browse artisan boutiques, and relax at a Parisian-style café in the historic Place-Royale, the very spot where Samuel de Champlain founded the city. From there, take the Funicular or climb the aptly named “Breakneck Stairs” to the Upper Town (Haute-Ville). This area is defined by the iconic silhouette of the Château Frontenac, which presides over the Dufferin Terrace—a wide boardwalk offering panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River. Walk the fortified walls that encircle the old city, the only of their kind remaining north of Mexico, and explore the nearby Citadelle de Québec, an active military installation with a rich history. Just beyond the walls lie the Plains of Abraham, the historic battlefield that is now a magnificent urban park, perfect for a quiet stroll. Quebec City doesn't require organized tours to be enjoyed; its primary allure is the simple, profound pleasure of exploring its historic, atmospheric streets.