Travel Guide: Experience History and Luxe Hotels in Quebec City
Meandering cobblestone streets, swoon-worthy architecture, and a thriving cultural scene await in this centuries-old Canadian metropolis.
It’s hard to beat the views at Le Capitole Hôtel, where guestroom amenities can include king-size beds and soaking tubs. / Photo courtesy of Le Capitole Hôtel
STAY
Glamour Time
With the Canadian border now open to Americans after more than a year of COVID-related closures, history-rich Quebec City welcomes tourists with a slew of luxe hotels. The newly refreshed Le Capitole Hôtel, for one, appeals with a pair of on-site restaurants, a performing-arts venue, and views of the city’s Old Quebec neighborhood (to say nothing of the in-room baths with heated marble floors). There’s also nearby Monsieur Jean, which debuted in 2019. What the boutique property lacks in bonus spaces, it more than makes up for with style; moody blue furnishings and oversize windows add drama to the guest rooms, while striped lamps and velvet wing chairs enliven the lounge areas.
offreslecapitole.com; monsieurjean.ca.
Set in Old Quebec, Monsieur Jean offers 49 rooms and suites, plus a coffee shop on the ground floor. / Photo courtesy of Monsieur Jean
Suspended from the ceiling, greenery adds to the ambiance at Madame Chose. / Photo by Resto Plaisirs
EAT
Sensory Overload
Need a break from popping in and out of shops on Rue du Petit-Champlain or exploring the city’s many historical landmarks? Rest tired feet—and fill your belly—at Madame Chose. Opened in December 2019, the design-forward restaurant is just as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the tastebuds. Dazzling light fixtures, cascading greenery, and gorgeous tilework make tucking into dishes such as roasted duck breast and Arctic char with vermouth sauce all the more savory.
A scene from the Pompeii-focused exhibition at the Musée de la Civilisation. / Photo by Tempora
SEE
Past is Present
For a fun-filled afternoon that won’t have your teeth chattering in the Canadian chill this winter, spend some time indoors at the Musée de la Civilisation. An interactive history museum, the beloved institution offers a range of exhibitions for visitors of all ages and interests. One must-see? “Pompeii: The Immortal City,” which opens in November 2021 and runs through early September 2022. Produced by Italy’s Museo Galileo and National Archaeological Museum of Naples, the riveting show re-creates that fateful day in 79 A.D. when Mount Vesuvius unleashed its wrath on the ancient Roman city.
