With its distinctive French flair, Québec is a city full of joie de vivre. Located on the East Coast of Canada, it is just 2.5 hours’ drive from Montréal or a 1.5-hour flight from New York or Toronto. We adore how it has French and Canadian touches interwoven to create a perfect blend of architecture, history and culture. If you are planning to visit in the future, don’t miss eight of the best photo spots in Québec.
1. Parliament Building
Québec’s Parliament Building holds a certain regal air to it. Built between 1877 – 1886, architect Eugène-Étienne Taché was inspired by the expansion of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Once you have captured the building from all angles, make sure you find the nearby Fontaine de Tourny. Featuring 43 water jets and various figurines, you can capture both the fountain and Parliament Building in the same line. For an ethereal air to your photo, come at night when the fountain and tall streetlamps are lit.
2. Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons
No matter the season that you visit Québec, you are guaranteed a spectacular outlook across the city from Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons. Found within the grounds of Parc du Bastion-De-La-Reine, this spot allows you to capture the St Lawrence River, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and part of Old Québec.
3. Fairmont Château Frontenac
We think the Fairmont Château Frontenac is at the forefront of icons of Québec. As one of the most photographed hotels in the world, it’s no wonder that the hotel is splashed across images of Québec everywhere! With its castle-like aura and prime location along the St Lawrence River, we recommend coming early in the morning if you want to avoid having people in your photo of the château.
4. Rue du Petit Champlain
The Rue du Petit Champlain is the most photographed place in Québec…and for good reason, too! Each building is made of a stone façade, often decorated with a colourful front door, window shutters and flower window boxes. Its cobblestone streets are a dream to stroll through no matter what time of the year you’re visiting – they are filled with lush greenery in spring and summer, dotted with fiery shades in autumn, and are magical during the Christmas season with festive decorations and lights.
5. Parc Montmorency
Found in Old Québec, Parc Montmorency was designated a historical site of Canada in 1949. We think this is a great photo spot because you can capture Fairmont Chateau Frontenac without any people in the background.
6. Place Royale
The Place Royale has come a long way since its inception in 1608 as the founding place of Québec. The cobblestone square is surrounded by stone buildings with colourful rooftops, cafés, shops and the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church, built in 1688 and now the oldest stone church in North America. If you venture further out from the square with your camera, you’ll find vibrant murals on nearby streets.
7. Rue du Cul-de-Sac
Kill two birds with one stone and head to Rue du Cul-de-Sac to photograph the floating umbrellas with the Fairmont Château Frontenac in the background. Once you see this, you’ll understand why it’s nicknamed Umbrella Alley.
8. Breakneck Stairs
They sound dangerous but Breakneck Stairs are anything but. One of the best photo spots in Québec, it has a straight view down Rue du Petit Champlain. Another historic spot like Place Royale, Breakneck Stairs were built in 1635 to connect Côte de la Montagne with Rue du Petit Champlain. This makes them the oldest stairway in the city with several restorations under their belt, of course! –
If you’re an avid photographer, don’t miss these eight best photo spots in Québec when discovering this wonderful city on a Globus or Cosmos tour.
