Your Quebec City Guide

06/02/2026

Quebec City has some serious hidden gems when it comes to free outdoor events, and this one is worth knowing about even if French isn't your first language.

"Où tu vas quand tu dors en marchant" is an annual outdoor theatre show that takes over the streets of the city. We're talking acrobatics, costumes, lighting, live performance, all happening right in the middle of the city. For free.

It's a local favourite for a reason. The visuals alone are worth showing up for, and the atmosphere is the kind of thing you don't find in a guidebook.
A few things to know: the show is in French, so full understanding isn't guaranteed if you're an English speaker. But honestly? You don't need to understand every word to feel it.

Several shows are still coming up, but they fill up fast. No need to buy a ticket, just show up and arrive early.

06/02/2026

"Do they speak English in Quebec City?"

Most travel sites will tell you "don't worry, Quebec City is English friendly!" and leave it at that. That's not wrong. It's just incomplete, and honestly, the real answer is way more interesting.

Here's the thing: this is one of the most French cities in North America, and it shows the moment you arrive. Signs, menus, conversations at the next table, all French. Quebec City is 94.6% francophone, and that's exactly what makes it so magical.

The good news? Thousands of English-speaking visitors come every year and have an absolutely wonderful time. I've lived here since 2011, and I genuinely love helping people feel confident before they arrive.

So I wrote the honest, complete version: which areas you'll navigate easily, where things get a little trickier, and the one small habit that makes locals light up when they meet you.

Quebec City is 94.6% francophone. Here's what that actually means for English-speaking visitors, where you'll be fine, where it gets trickier, and the one simple trick that changes everything.

06/01/2026

If you're walking around Old Quebec, look for PONY's sculptures tucked into the scenery. They are scattered around the old city and they're absolutely worth stopping for. Consider this your sign to slow down and actually look around. 🌞

04/29/2026

Quebec City's bar scene is seriously underrated, and JJacques is a perfect example of why.

Just named #11 on Canada's Best Bars 2026 list, this speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked in St-Roch has been consistently making waves across the country. You find it by walking down an alleyway, ringing a buzzer on an unmarked metal door, and stepping into what feels like a golden age of travel. Orient Express vibes, long bar, bartenders who clearly know what they're doing. 🍸

The cocktails are the main event, but they also do oysters and seafood if you want to make a full evening of it.
Whether you're into craft cocktails, wine, or local microbrews, this city delivers. Big time. And JJacques is one of the spots that proves it.

📍 JJacques, 341 Rue Notre-Dame-des-Anges, St-Roch

04/29/2026

If you're doing the Île d'Orléans loop, Chez Mag is a mandatory stop.
They built their reputation on poutine, and honestly, it shows. The lobster poutine alone is worth the detour. But the menu goes beyond poutine too, so even if you're not a die-hard poutine fan, you'll find something worth eating. 🍽️

Classic cantine energy, generous portions, and the kind of place a local actually tells you about.

📍 Chez Mag, Île d'Orléans

04/29/2026

I've lived in Quebec City since 2011. Spent over 10 years working inside the restaurant industry here. Ate my way through every neighborhood more times than I can count.

So when visitors ask me where to eat, I actually know. Not in a "I Googled it" kind of way. In a "I know which spots locals keep going back to and which ones just look good on Instagram" kind of way.

That's what this account is. No tourist traps, no generic lists, nothing I can't personally stand behind.

The full guide is in my bio if you want 70+ pages of the real thing. Fair warning: it might ruin average restaurant meals for you forever. 🙆‍♀️

04/27/2026

If you’re driving around Île d’Orléans, this is one of those stops you’ll be glad you made. 💛

La Midinette is a small bakery-café that feels just right after a walk or a scenic drive. Fresh viennoiseries, a simple cozy space, and that perfect balance of “this looks beautiful” and “I want to eat everything on the table.”

It’s not a big production, just really good pastries, done well, in a place that makes you want to slow down for a minute. 🥐

04/24/2026

Hot take: 2 days in Quebec City is not enough.
You'll have a good time. But you'll also leave knowing you missed something.
3 days is where it starts to click. 4 is the sweet spot. Here's why — and how to decide what works for you. 👇

https://www.yourquebeccityguide.com/blog/how-many-days-do-you-actually-need-in-quebec-city

04/23/2026

One of the things I genuinely love about summer in Old Quebec: you never quite know what's going to pop up around the corner. Ephemeral art installations are practically a summer tradition here, and this year's one is worth knowing about before you visit. 🌞

This year, the streets of Petit-Champlain and Place-Royale are getting four giant sculptures from Montreal artist , running May 12 to August 3. The characters, Dandy, Sponji, Anxiyeti, and Kinzu, are part of an art walk called Câlins. Pony (Gabrielle Laïla Tittley) has built an entire universe around these figures: colorful, a little strange, quietly emotional. She originally made them as plush toys to comfort people going through tough moments. The giant versions have that same energy, just impossible to walk past.

Free, outdoors, right where you'll probably already be walking anyway. 😄

🌸 Cet été, les quartiers Petit Champlain et Place-Royale deviennent un peu plus doux.

Du 12 mai au 3 août, Câlins s'installe dans nos quartiers : un parcours de 4 sculptures géantes signées , entre la Place de Paris et le bout de la rue du Petit-Champlain.

Dandy, Sponji, Anxiyeti, Kinzu : des personnages imparfaits, vulnérables, profondément humains. Des êtres qui portent leurs cicatrices et qui, quelque part, nous ressemblent.

Une façon douce de se rappeler qu'on n'est jamais vraiment seul·e. 🤍

Osez venir les découvrir ces œuvres dès le 12 mai jusqu’au 3 août.

Un projet fièrement porté par l'équipe de la Coopérative du Quartier Petit Champlain.