Shake a classic glass snow globe to see a flurry of snowflakes float down onto a diminutive old-world Christmas village. The enchanting scene gives rise to a sense of nostalgia.
For a fleeting moment, you are transported to a picturesque, snowy little bourg reminiscent of traditional European yuletide scenes. But you don’t have to go to Germany, France, or England for this experience.
Head to Quebec, Canada, one of North America’s most historic cities, for a dose of old-time holiday ambience.
Old Quebec Holiday Ambiance
Considered a top holiday destination, Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage City, is a worthy contender for a picture-perfect, “Joyeux Noël” snow globe setting. It makes a great choice to enjoy a merry little getaway.
An Old Quebec Christmas reveals traditional European ambiance around every cobblestone street corner. In this 400-year-old city, you will feel as if you walked into the New France of yesteryear, the birthplace of French civilization in North America.
History reveals itself throughout the beautiful locale where the British, French, and First Nations people congregated within the only walled city north of Mexico.
Historic Streets Of Petit-Champlain
Snow blankets the historic Lower Town neighborhood of Rue du Petit-Champlain, named for Samuel de Champlain, who founded Quebec City in 1608.
Walk along the car-free cobblestone streets of this Old France commercial district surrounded by multi-storied, centuries-old stone houses. They showcase architectural details like dormer windows, gabled roofs, and large chimneys.
Guided Christmas Walking Tour
If you want to travel back into yuletide past, sign up for a Christmas Magic in Old Quebec guided walking tour with Cicerone Tours. The company specializes in historical walking tours of the city.
A “New France” guide in character, dressed in period costume, leads guests into the Upper and Lower Town, describing Christmas heritage traditions within Old Quebec.
During the two-hour tour, participants discover the origin of Christmas and its meaning for both the French and British before the Canadians and Quebecers.
You’ll find out how Quebec Christmas traditions and customs are still enjoyed today.
Ice Skating And Winter Fun
The Quebec locals are very good at enjoying their outdoor environment, no matter the season or temperature. They’re not daunted by snow and ice. In fact, they embrace it.
Many Canadians learn to ice skate at an early age. It’s as if they learned to ice skate before they could walk, which makes sense given their enthusiasm for the sport of hockey.
For a unique location to glide on the ice, head to the historic fortification, Saint-Jean Gate, originally built in the late 17th century to protect the city from invasions.
During the holiday season, Christmas music and the sounds of laughing children ring out at the beautiful outdoor ice-skating rink of Place D’Youville near the Théâtre Capitole, Palais Montcalm, and Saint-Jean Gate.
German Christmas Market In Old Quebec
The festive winter wonderland continues throughout the historic areas into Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville where intrepid holiday makers visit the German Christmas Market, a cozy village of wooden huts where vendors sell wares of all sorts.
If you want to experience this for yourself, this Christmas Magic in Old Quebec walking tour is a cozy way to explore the city without wandering around in the cold. You’ll hit the best festive spots in Old Quebec, sample local Christmas treats at the markets, and learn about the city’s holiday traditions with a small-group guide. It’s a warm, fun, and super photogenic way to enjoy winter in Quebec.
Read More: Christmas Traditions: The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
Evening Lights And Cozy Drinks
Evenings bring a special glow to the historical district of Petit-Champlain and Place Royale, site of the first French settlement in North America. Lights brighten the shop windows swathed in greenery along Rue du Petit-Champlain.
The glow of softly lit Christmas trees adorned with glittering decorations frames the doorways of bistros and cafés.
It’s the perfect ambience to indulge in a hot cup of cocoa, cider, or a mug of Caribou, the classic Canadian hot red wine and whiskey beverage laced with maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon.
Classic Québécois Cuisine
For a taste of authentic Québécois cuisine, tempt your taste buds at the restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens. Located in the oldest house in the city, the building dates back to 1675.
Think of it as Old Quebec on a plate. There are five cozy dining rooms decorated in antiques within a period-style atmosphere. Dine on traditional dishes from meat pie, grilled game, and poutine to maple syrup pie.
And if it’s maple syrup you are after, La Buche offers a festive ambience with Québécois music in a setting resembling an old-time sugar shack.
Traditional fare is offered with a liberal use of maple syrup in various dishes as well as desserts like maple fudge, maple butter crêpes, maple pie, and a chance to make maple taffy on snow.
Carols And Historic Churches
Be on the lookout for Jolly Old St. Nick as he frequents the area during December. Sing along with groups of carolers as they wind through the festive Old Town.
Listen to Christmas choirs gathered in front of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America, built in 1688.
Château Frontenac Holiday Magic
A short distance from Petit-Champlain, on a hilltop overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, the tall turrets and towers of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac grace the skyline, providing an enchanting view.
The hilltop perch provides the emblematic star atop the city’s figurative Christmas tree. It’s a setting that may have you wondering if you are in France instead of Canada.
A Canadian Grand Dame
Though the exquisite hotel property resembling a Loire Valley medieval chateau is indeed 100% Canadian.
Built in 1893 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Château Frontenac was one of Canada’s legendary railway hotels. Its status as the grand dame of Quebec remains intact.
The historic property is splendid to see, as well as to experience as a guest, especially during the holidays. Tastefully decorated and adorned to the max, the Château rolls out the proverbial red carpet for Christmas.
Lasting Holiday Memories
No doubt, the magic of celebrating the holidays in Old Quebec will delight and lift the spirits of holiday merrymakers. Once home, recall happy holiday memories.
Give a shake or two of a souvenir “Joyeux Noël” Quebec snow globe and watch the swirl of snowflakes softly touch down on the old-world scene.
Plan Your Holiday Visit
Québec City’s Official Website: What To Do In Quebec City During The Holidays
Hotels
Restaurants
Thrill-Seeker Activity
Au 1884 Dufferin Terrace Toboggan Slides
Located next to the Château Frontenac, this locals’ favorite attraction has endured for 100 years.
Hop on a wooden toboggan and zip down the ice at 70 km per hour.
Three aisles of ice will be available from December until mid-March.
Guided Historical Christmas Walking Tour
Historic Church
Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Québec
Designated a Canada National Historic Site and located on the same site since 1647, this beautiful cathedral is open for services.
Christmas Markets
The most authentic German Christmas Market in North America offering entertainment, loads of German crafts, as well as crafted Canadian holiday items, gingerbread, and other tasty holiday edibles.
They help stave off hungry shoppers’ appetites.
Find more than 1,000 local agri-food products and handicrafts at this special holiday market located at the Old Port of Quebec.
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Author Bio: Gigi Ragland is a writer based in Longmont, Colorado. Her stories cover soft outdoor adventure, culture, nature and food. She has contributed to a variety of publications to include AARP, AFAR, Conde Nast Traveler, the Denver Post, Saturday Evening Post, National Geographic, and more. Her favorite North American wintertime city is Quebec, although she could pass on the poutine.
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