When you live in Montreal, you’re living in a semi-historical patchwork of modernism, cultures, artists and cool people, that never sleeps and is always buzzing…
And if Montreal is also full of museums, heritage buildings and excitement, you can spend a weekend in a city bathed in the region’s historic juice, a three-hour drive or train ride from downtown, in Quebec City.
We’ve put together a list of our favorite places to spend a few days or a Saturday-Sunday in Quebec City…
The historical walk: The Plains of Abraham
The Plains of Abraham is a large park in the middle of Quebec City, on the banks of the river, which was the scene of the great battles between French and British forces for control of “New France” in 1759 and 1760.
You can find out all about it at the Plains of Abraham Museum, and we’re partial to the animated bus tour (available between July 2 and September 1) with the guide in period costume…
Every September (dates to come), there’s a large-scale re-enactment of the battles of the period, with everyone in costume, real cannon fire and very, very historical hustle and bustle.
The Plains is also a large, well-maintained natural park, the “lungs of Quebec City”, where you can cycle, hike and cross-country ski in winter… and where you can also picnic and enjoy a host of concerts and shows in summer.
And for those who don’t like sitting on the grass (we know we’re talking to city dwellers, after all) there’s the very cute Café Smith, in a round stone ginguette, and its little terrace overlooking the park. For a glass of rosé or a matcha. ..
The historic visit: the Augustine Monastery
For a change from the fortifications of Old Quebec and the Château Frontenac, let’s visit the most beautiful monastery in the area: the Monastère des Augustines. The Augustines were the first to open a hospital north of Mexico, in 1639. Since then, the sisters have cared for the sick, nursed and contributed to the evolution of healthcare.
The monastery museum contains over 40,000 artifacts from the Augustinian nuns’ 12 monastery-hospitals, and traces their spiritual and medical journey.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and general admission for adults is $17. See the program and info here!
And best of all, you can also sleep in the monastery, just like in a hotel, or take a retreat for a few days to recharge your batteries.
In the cool serenity of the Augustine monastery, surrounded by ancient stonework, it’s tempting to spend a few nights…
The museum: The Musée National des Beaux-Arts de Québec
For a bit of more contemporary history and the inclusion (at last!) of Aboriginal artists and historical figures – too often erased from the history of Quebec and Canada, in an injustice that has lasted since the arrival of the colonists in America – we go to the Musée National des Beaux-Arts de Québec.
Here, you can see exhibitions of contemporary art by Quebec artists, Inuit artworks and the museum’s incredibly rich collections. We also love its architecture, all glass and curves, with the echo of visitors’ footsteps and the murmur of people’s conversations as they lean towards the works under the great white ceilings.
For programming information, click here!
The Museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 7 p.m., and admission starts at $10.80.
The café: Le Café Olive
It’s a tiny little café, so small you could walk right past it without seeing it, but it’s a jewel in the city – and a real haunt of the coolest people around…
We love the cream buns and the tiny tables in front of the café’s little marquee, always packed as soon as there’s a ray of sunshine.
It’s at 1190 Avenue Cartier!
The restaurant: Chez J.Jacques
It’s a cocktail bar that makes the best oysters we’ve ever had, and it’s tucked away on a side street, behind a gray door with no front.
The restaurant was voted n16 on Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants list, yet the prices aren’t too distressing-in any case, it’s well worth it and, of course, the cocktails are exceptional.
Reservations are required -here!
It’s at 341 rue Notre-Dame-des-Anges and open daily from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Enjoy your visit!