Quebec (French: Québec) is a province in Canada, the largest in size and second only to Ontario in population. French is the first language of a majority of Quebecois and the sole official language of the province, making it the only Canadian province that is officially monolingual in French.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The province has a colourful history, which moulded its distinctive identity from the rest of Canada; the Quebecois strived to protect their French-speaking culture and society distinct from the British-influenced mainstream culture of the rest of the country. The areas forming the present province were historically inhabited only by First Nations and Inuit until their discovery by European explorers, most notably Jacques Cartier, who explored the area in three expeditions between 1534 and 1542.
Québec has a vast road and air network that makes it easy to travel between cities. Using air transportation to travel between the different cities in Quebec (Gatineau-Québec City, Montréal-Québec City, Montréal-Bagotville) is possible but usually too expensive to be worthwhile. Air travel is indispensable for getting around northern Québec (except for the Baie-James region, which is served by a paved highway), because there are no highways or railways serving these remote areas. Trains run infrequently (compared to Europe). There are no high-speed trains in Quebec. Buses are usually cheaper, with more daily connections. VIA Rail Canada, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245.
Quebec City's narrow streets evoke the old cities of Europe, and are filled with history and romance. Quebec City is the soul of the province. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of only two cities in North America with its original city walls. Montreal, by contrast, is the province's exciting, energetic metropolis, with lovely street life, great restaurants, festivals and parties year-round. Quebec has 22 provincial parks (known as national parks in French and in English documentation).
Quebec offers many activities including sports and outdoor recreation, cultural and natural sites, festivals and events. Quebec offers a variety of cruises, whether for whale watching, travelling the St. Lawrence River or touring the waterways. Good points from which to see whales include Tadoussac, Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski near the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its theme parks include La Ronde, the Old Port of Montreal and of Quebec City, the Village Québécois d’Antan (a Drummondville pioneer village living museum), Granby Zoo. There is a zoo (St. Félicien) and tourist ghost town (Val-Jalbert) in the Lac St.
Quebec’s cuisine derives its rich flavour from a blend of influences. It has a solid French culinary base and is enriched by the contribution of the Indigenous peoples and the different cultural communities that have made the province their home. Many quality regional products are also used in its cuisine. Terroir products that grace Quebec tables include ice cider, micro-brewed beer, wine and over 100 different varieties of cheese. Another unique feature of Quebec is the sugar shack (cabane à sucre), a family culinary tradition of eating maple products to the rhythms of Quebec folklore. You can go as a group at the beginning of spring, during March and April.
The legal drinking age in Quebec is 18. Quebecers’ favourite alcohol is beer given the high taxes on wine. The province boasts several very good microbreweries. Here is a list of the best brewpubs in Québec by region. In Montreal, there is Dieu du Ciel!, L’Amère à Boire, Le Cheval Blanc and Brutopia. In Quebec City, there is La Barberie and L'Inox. One of the best is Le Broumont in Bromont, near the foot of the ski hill. If you visit Sherbrooke, be sure to stop in at the Mare au Diable. In the Mauricie region, there is Le Trou du Diable (Shawinigan) and Gambrinus (Trois-Rivières). In the stunning Charlevoix region, there is the Charlevoix microbrewery in Baie St-Paul.
Quebec is generally a safe place, with the exception of a few "bad" neighbourhoods of Montreal and Quebec City. Visitors should use common sense when travelling, as they would anywhere else, like keeping cars and properties locked, and avoiding dimly-lit areas at night.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €19 — book ahead for the popular ones.
Tours and tickets provided by Viator (a Tripadvisor company). Some links earn Stayonomy a commission.
In Oct, Quebec typically sees ~14°C daytime highs and 8 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-10-30. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy