Tours/Quebec City/Old Québec & French Canada Private History Walking Tour
Viator · Private tour

Old Québec & French Canada Private History Walking Tour

5.0(42)Quebec City1 hour
VIATOR5.0(19)TRIPADVISOR5.0(23)

Description

A must-do experience for North American visitors to Quebec City; In-depth and fun historical overview of Old Québec, a unique historic district and World Heritage site featuring hundreds of history markers. Most first-time visitors do not know to what a great extent Canada and US history are intertwined. Do you know the links between French Canada, Quebec and your part of the continent? There is no better place to discover these connections than in beautiful Quebec City. Discover how early French settlers influenced by many continental events - Manifest Destiny, French & Indian War, Boston Tea Party, American Revolution, War of 1812 , American Civil War, Alaska Purchase, Canadian Confederation... - shaped Quebec and Canada. During our 2.5-hour walking tour, discover sites in both Upper and Lower Town, highlighting the significant role played by Quebec City in the history of North America and in the creation of modern Canada. Convenient meeting point: your Old Quebec hotel.

Tour Options

Old Québec & French Canada Private History Walking Tour
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

Pass by

Museum about the military history of Canada and the great battles of Quebec City, from early French settlers to 1776.

Pass by

Icon of modern Canada from coast to coast, 1893 Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel, now Fairmont.

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Memory of the Royal family and its representatives, this boardwalk was built in the wake of the creation of modern Canada. Forts and Chateaux St-Louis National Park showcasing the castle of the French Governors until the French & Indian War is located UNDER the boardwalk.

Pass by

War monument, memory of the French and Indians War in Canada.

Pass by

Memory of British Quebec City, built the year of the Louisiana Purchase, that is, 20 years after the U.S. Independence.

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Stronghold added to the Quebec City’s defense system after the War of 1812, facing the American threat.

Pass by

Iconic ground battlefield of the French & Indians War in America. Unlike Yorktown VA or Chalmette Battlefield in New Orleans LA, here the British won the war defeating the French. Canada became British from the 1763 Treaty of Paris.

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French and British ramparts built to protect this strategic outpost that controlled the St Lawrence seaway up to the center of the continent.

Pass by

Legislature of the Province of Quebec, the only French-speaking Province of Canada. Even though Montreal is its metropolis and most populated city, Quebec City is still the Provincial capital.

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First school for girls in North America and world-class Museum about French Art and catholic Education. Within top 5 French heritage institutions of Old Quebec and Canada.

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First hospital in North America and present-day world-class wellness center and Museum. Within top 5 French heritage institutions of Old Quebec and Canada.

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Upper town mainly refers to the Unesco World Heritage zone within the walls of Old Quebec. High density of historical sites covering 400 years of history.

Pass by

Lower town mainly refers to the Place Royale, Petit-Champlain and the Old Port district. High density of historical sites covering 400 years of history.

Pass by

Founding Cathedral of Catholicism in French America and head of a diocese as large as French Louisiana, from Quebec City to New Orleans.

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School for French catholic missionaries sent over the continent to convert North America's French territories to Catholicism. Present-day School of Architecture of University Laval and High School.

Pass by

Iconic monument built as a pulp and paper company's headquarter in 1929. Symbol of the Great Depression and resilience of a 6-generation Welsh family now involved in high-end tourism in Quebec City.

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Canada's “Jamestown” and ‘Williamsburg” on the same site: birthplace of Canada and site of a never-completed 1970s Museum District project. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City on this site, that has been continuously occupied since then.

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Within top 3 shopping areas of Old Quebec. A 1980s project led by two local architects who had a vision to open high-end artisan shops in devitalized Old Port area.

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Within top 5 museums of Old Quebec. History exhibitions about Canada and Native Americans.

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Sites of the 1775 failed "American" invasion of Canada, where both leaders - Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery - were defeated. Man-made zone reclaimed from water during the French, British and Canadian periods of Quebec City's history. Old financial district of Canada and present-day Art and Antique Shops district.

Pass by

One of the 3 gates on the French rampart. Original military structures, featuring narrow openings with doors, were removed ...and then rebuilt to look like medieval structures, as part of Lord Dufferin's 1875 Quebec Improvement plan, influenced by the European historicist movement.

Pass by

Stairs linking Petit-Champlain and Upper town.

Pass by

Military cannon platform added to Quebec City's fortifications system during the King William's War in America, when Frontenac defeated invaders from Boston led by William Phips.

Highlights

Guiding services

What's included

Included
Guiding services
Not included
Gratuities

Pickup Locations & Times

If your hotel is situated in Old Quebec, our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby 5 minutes before tour time. If your hotel is NOT in Old Quebec, we will be in touch with you to suggest an easy-to-find meeting point.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
42 reviews
5
42
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Reviews(42)

C
Catherine_G
June 25, 2026
Highly Recommend

This tour is a historic tour and our guide was very knowledgeable. We felt we understood Quebec and its culture.

N
Noreen_H
January 7, 2026
I highly recommend this tour!

This tour is exceptional. Michel shared his passion for the history of this area. His knowledge was incredible and he tailored his tour to the interests of our group.

Operator response

Thank you Noreen for your kind review. I'm always happy to share a Canadian perspective to the events of 1775-1776 that shaped our 2 countries.

7
712historyn
September 7, 2025
A wonderful walking tour of 500 years of history

Had a wonderful walking tour with Michel. He took us through 500 years of French, Quebec, Canadian and American history. He knew his stuff, and easily kept us engaged for the full 2.5 hour tour. He was able to tailor what we saw based on our initial request, and reactions to what we were seeing. An absolute gem of a host, and highly recommended for your first day or two in Quebec City.

Operator response

Thank you for your kind review and for your interest in my city and its history, from the first settlement to the Quiet Revolution! Merci et à la prochaine.

Q
Q2765DVsophied
September 5, 2025
Quality service

Our guide Michel made us discover Quebec in a very pleasant way. It's a leg encyclopedia. He greatly exceeded the originally planned time because he was very enthusiastic and visibly happy to introduce his city. We recommend the visit to passing tourists having like us only the full day to discover the essentials. Michel also had a folder with elements photos and plans to make us understand the evolution of the city over time.

Operator response

Merci Sophie de répandre la bonne nouvelle dans tout Paris! J'espère que votre voyage au Québec s'est bien passé, vous êtes définitivement une organisatrice hors-pair! Michel

C
Corby_O
September 3, 2025
Quebec City at it's best!

Our guide was fantastic!! He took us all over Quebec City and explained the history, the architecture, and culture of the city. He took his time to help us understand the importance of the city and how it was involved shaping the history of Canada. Because of this tour we plan to return to Quebec City and spend more time exploring it in the future.

Operator response

Richard replied: Dear Mrs. Olson, we take great pride in offering the best possible tours. It is wonderful for all our team to read reviews like yours. Thank you very much for sharing your comments. It was a real pleasure to meet you. Richard

A
Andrew_R
August 15, 2025
Great walking tour!

Awesome tour. Michel Perron showed us around the old town with lots of historical stories. He made it interesting for our 7 year old, our 13 year old, and both of us 47 year olds. Highly recommend a tour from Michel!

J
JPTR_13
July 25, 2025
Fantastic

Michel our guide was amazing. He came with illustrations, was good at explaining everything and weaved his personal family history into the tour. He was knowledgeable, friendly and experienced. If there were more than five stars we would give them.

L
Lance_W
July 22, 2025
We saw it all!

Our guide, Michel, was awesome and well prepared with materials he carries around in his backpack. The man obviously loves to show folks his city and has endless stories to tell, and endless energy too! A very worthwhile and fun introduction to the city which was a great start to our visit in QC.

Operator response

Thank you Lance for your kind comment. It was nice meeting the 4 of you, all willing to discover and learn about the history, architecture and culture of Quebec and French Canada. You had so many good questions, thank you for challenging me. This is the source of my energy! Michel

C
Carol_L
June 29, 2025
Michel was a fantastic...

Michel was a fantastic tour guide, so knowledgeable and kind. He was flexible & accommodated all of our needs. Highly recommend this private guided walking tour.

M
marshallmills
May 24, 2025
Magnificently inspired

Such an enthusiastic tour guide made this tour not only fun & exciting, it was a history lesson rich and riveting. Luis's enthusiastic presentation was deeply appreciated. Thank you for deepening my understanding of the rich heritage & history of Quebec City and Canada. Merci beaucoup

Operator response

Merci beaucoup! Your curiosity and enthusiasm made this tour much exciting! Hope to assist you next time or any friend or family member visiting Quebec City. Luis H.

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