Summer in Québec City
Our Concierge's recommendations
Activities and tour options
Tailor-made activities offered exclusively at Auberge Saint-Antoine
Free yoga classes - Join our free 60-minute all-level yoga class given on Saturdays at 8:30am in our yoga room, or outside on beautiful summer days. Register before 7pm on Friday. Limited places **Additionnal summer classes offered from the end of June on Thursdays at 8:30am, register before 7pm on Wednesdays.
Walking Tours
Québec 1608 – Excellent company offering 2.5-hour private walking tours (starts from 220$). Possibility to arrange a full-day tour with lunch and many other tailor-made experiences! They focus on providing the history of Québec City in context with North American history. See above information for group tour options.
Les Tours Voir Québec - Historic city tours, group or private (200$) available everyday. Join these professional and passionate guides to learn more about our wonderful city!
HQ Services - Company specializing in gourmet tours, walking and cycling tours! Take a cultural immersion by discovering our local cuisine in the company of a friendly and passionate guide. Online reservation only.
Cicerone - Company offering Château Frontenac tours and historical walking tours with a costumed guide. Perfect for small families!
Quebec City Food Tours – Several companies specialize in food tours in Quebec City. Discover Quebec’s foodie scene in the Old City & other neigborhoods, in a fun and friendly approach. Reservation online only.
Mendel Tours - Discover the city during a walking tour in the company of the very renowned historian, Mr. David Mendel. Reservation required a few weeks in advance. Private tour from $260 and more.
Boat Tours
AML offers nice cruises on the Saint-Lawrence river: 90-minute guided cruises, dinner or brunch cruises, whale watching (including bus transport or not) and special events.
Vieux Port Yachting offers a 3-hour introduction to sailing or reserve a sailboat for private or group excursions with a captain.
Excursions Maritimes offers zodiac excursion on the Saint-Lawrence River, a nice way to discover the beauty of the shores of Quebec and Lévis.
Motorized Tours
Reserve an excellent and passionate driver-guide with us to make the most of the City and its beautiful countryside including the Montmorency Falls, the Orleans Island and so much more (see descriptions in the Discover the countryside section). Allow 90 minutes to three hours for a City Tour, and three hours to a full day for a countryside tour. Rate starts at 125$++ hourly.
Bus tours are a nice alternative if you prefer to join a group. Reservations can easily be made the day before with our concierge team to ensure appropriate weather. Unitours offers them.
Spas & Thermal Experience
Strom Spa - Located at only a 5-minute taxi ride from our property, treat yourself with a thermal experience, Nordic baths, outdoor whirlpools, eucalyptus steam bath and more… with scenic views on the Saint Lawrence River. Concierge tip: Try their unique flotation bath for an optimal moment of relaxation. $$
Siberia Spa – Located at a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Enjoy a thermal experience, Nordic baths, and more, in a wonderful setting surrounded by trees.
Museums & Cultural Visits
Musée de la Civilisation - Our neighbor offers excellent exhibits on our rich culture, First Nations and other relevant topics, always linking past, future and present. It takes a fresh, attentive and dynamic look at the human experience as a whole and at civilizations elsewhere, while remaining firmly rooted in Québec reality.
Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec - Located in the heart of the Plains of Abraham, the Fine Arts Museum presents exhibitions featuring Québec artists, past and present, and prestigious international art exhibitions.
Monastère des Augustines – Opened since 2015, this brilliant museum introduces you to the evolution of the spiritual and social engagement of the Augustinian Sisters of Québec through the history and from the 40 000 artifacts drawn from 12 monastery hospitals. By visiting the permanent exhibition, you will discover their way of life, their work caring for the sicks, and how they balanced their traditional vocations by action and contemplation. Concierge tip: make the most of your visit by having a healthy lunch on site or joining one of the daily classes given on site such as yoga and meditation.
Musée du Fort - This museum presents a sound and light show that recreates the six attempts to take the city over the years. The military history is related by using a spectacular 36 m2 (400 sq. ft.) historic model of Québec City in 1759 along with the latest visual and audio technology. Permanent exhibitions with artifacts complete the show.
La Citadelle de Québec - La Citadelle is an active military garrison and cannot be visited individually. The one-hour guided tour will provide you with information about the American attacks and the construction of the fortress and its buildings. The visit of the Royal 22e Régiment Museum located in an old French powder magazine (1750) and a former military prison (1842) is included in the tour. Guided tours are offered in French or English. Guided visits of the residence of the general governor of Canada are also offered inside of the Citadelle's walls. These visits are free, as per the general governor's mandate and are offered in French and in English. Walk-in only, no reservations are taken in advance.
National Assembly - The guided visit is free, more or less 4 times a day, more during the holidays alternatively in English and in French. Open 7 days a week during the summer and closed on weekends the rest of the year. Concierge tip: try to mix a visit with lunch at their restaurant Le Parlementaire, a sumptuous dining room! Open on weekdays only.
Plains of Abraham (Battlefields Park) - Wonderful historic park enjoyable all year round which offers pretty views overlooking the river. This park is one of Canada’s most important historical parks as well as one of the most prestigious city parks. This is where the historical battle between the French and the English troops took place in 1759.
Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site - For over 200 years in Québec City under both the French and English regimes, the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux served as the official residence and seat of power for most of the governors. Take your time to appreciate this unique archaeological site at your own pace. Open 7 days a week during the summer.
Aquarium - 10,000 marine animals inhabit the Aquarium: fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and sea mammals. Among them, polar bears, walruses, and seals will provide you with unique moments. Watch them when they're feeding or being trained.
Village Vacances Valcartier - This fabulous water park is one of the best family activities. Only 40 minutes driving distance from Québec City. Bora Park, an indoor water park, is also perfect for rainy days.
Wendake Village - Visit this native village located at 30 minutes driving distance from downtown Québec. This is the only Huron-Wendat community in Canada! Discover their culture by visiting their top attractions such as the Musée Premières-Nations.
Discover The Countryside
Jacques Cartier National Park – Located at 30 minutes driving distance from Québec City, Jacques-Cartier National Park features a remarkable landscape characterized by contrasts: mountainous uplands fractured by steep-sided valleys. A river winds through the most spectacular of them, the Valley de la Jacques-Cartier, a trench more than 550 m deep. Activities including paddling down-river, calm water excursions are available upon reservation (48 hours prior).
Montmorency Falls - Located between the river and the cliffs, the Montmorency Falls (83 m) dominates the landscape. It can be visited on foot, by cable car, or from the gourmet restaurant. This park is a few minutes from Québec City ($).
Orléans Island - From early summer to late fall, Orléans Island offers a charming half-day trip with its small typical villages. Local craft and products, vineyards, cider houses, farms to visit or where to enjoy picking your own fruits (apples, strawberries, raspberries according to the season). Specialties to look for: apple products, maple syrup, duck products, local wines and ice ciders. Concierge tip: combine your visit to the island with the Montmorency Falls located in the same area. To get on the Island: car rental, limousine service for private tours or bus tours.
Sainte-Anne de Beaupré Basilica - This world pilgrimage Basilica can be visited all year long. Superb visit, and only a half-hour drive from the Auberge!
Canyon Ste-Anne - At 45 minutes driving distance from Québec City, explore the imposing 74m high Sainte-Anne waterfall rumbling into its 1.2 billion years old notch. Go across the highest pedestrian bridge in Quebec, 55 meters high. Thrilling via ferratas and Giant zipline.
Charlevoix region is located further up the East (past the Beaupré Coast). The main reasons to visit are the charming artist town of Baie-Saint-Paul and the stunning scenic drive linking Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie (road 362 East). The region is accessible by road and also by train in summer time… travelling between mountains and seashore, along 140 km of breathtaking riverside scenery between Québec City and La Malbaie, the Train de Charlevoix conveys passengers on a unique experience. ***Reservations have to be made in advance***
Whale watching (About 3 hours driving distance from Québec City) - Tadoussac village is located at the mouth of the Saguenay River, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. This area was the first North American member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. It is an ideal place for visitors to observe whales and other sea birds and mammals by taking the whale-watching cruise tour with AML. They also offer packages including bus and helicopter transportation from Québec City.
Golf
Le Royal-Quebec – 25 minutes - Founded in 1874 and established in Boischatel since 1925, the Royal Québec Golf Club is a high-end semi-private club. Offering 36 holes and considered one of the oldest clubs in America, it has a typical country club atmosphere. Located a few steps from the Montmorency Falls, the clubhouse panoramic windows offers spectacular views of Île d'Orléans and Québec City. Possibility to reserve tee time early in the morning or from 3pm for non-members.
Club de Golf Alpin – 30 minutes - Located on a plateau surrounded by the beautiful Laurentian Mountains, the club continues to improve and modernize since its opening in the 1960s so that it now offers its members and visitors one of the finest golf venues in the region of Québec. A visit to the Alpine Golf Club will enchant you! The playing conditions are quite remarkable throughout the season and so is the scenery.
Le Grand Vallon – 45 minutes - One of Eastern Canada's most beautiful golf courses. 6,583 yards long, it alternates undulating tree-lined fairways and a large plain at mid-course. Four lakes and 42 white sand bunkers contribute to the golfer's challenge.
Summer Events 2024
KWE - June 14 to 16 & 21 - First Nations Festival, a wonderful way to learn more about the rich culture of these nations. Main site at Place Jean-Béliveau next to the farmer’s market Le Grand Marché.
National Holiday of Québec - Main festivities and shows are on the evening of June 23rd, our National Day is on June 24th - Celebrate the National Holiday of Québec with the free show on June 23rd from 6:30 p.m. until the end of the night on the beautiful Plains of Abraham. Free entertainment on Grande-Allée from 3pm.
Canada Day - July 1st - A wide range of free activities and festivities will be on offer to celebrate Canada Day in style on the Dufferin Terrace and The Plains of Abraham. Make sure not to miss out on the fireworks!
Québec City Summer Festival - July 4th to 14th - A major festival this summer is the Québec City Summer Festival, an internationally renowned outdoor music festival with more than 300 performances! The performances on the Hydro-Québec stage in front of the National Assembly do not require the pass.
Les Grands Feux Loto-Québec - Every tuesday & thursday from August 1st to 24th, at 10pm– Admire these fabulous pyrotechnic shows presented directly on the St. Lawrence River. One of the best places to admire them is right in front of the hotel at La Place des Canotiers. There are several options to see them such as a fireworks cruise with AML .
Plein-Art – First two weeks of August- Created in 1980, Plein Art is the largest exhibition of local crafts in Canada. Under huge tents in the Old Port of Québec, discover Québec’s best cabinet makers, glassmakers, potters, toy makers, leather workers and local jewelers.
Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France- New France Festival - August 1st to 4th - Travel back to the days of Nouvelle France by immersing yourself in this festival with historical accents, inspired by the rich colonial past of Québec. The many parades and artisitic perfomances create the perfect ambiance to properly celebrate the rich history of French America.
Le Festibière (Beerfest) - August 15th to 18th - Discover 70 microbreweries, breweries, pubs and local cider in a unique atmosphere, very much like an Oktoberfest in the enchanting setting of the Old Port. Upgrade your experience with a tasting of local products, culinary and brewing conferences. Several music shows are also planned!
Quebec City Celtic Festival - September 7 and 8 - This festival is for anyone who already loves or wishes to discover Celtic culture through its Breton, Irish and Scottish nations. The festival features musical performances, dances, workshops and many other activities for an exceptional experience!
Passages Insolites - Date to be confirmed - A wandering public art trail. (Re)discover the city in a surprising way, through some twenty works of art scattered around the old capital.
Exclusive experiences
Photo shoot - Immortalize your stay in Québec with a photo shoot at some of the city's most magnificent locations.
Fishing trip - Experience a memorable fishing excursion in Charlevoix region with a passionate guide who will take you to exclusive fishing spots (fly-fishing on the river or fishing from a boat). Contact us for more information. From $1500 with equipment included.
To organize your stay, make your bookings, request other suggestions or tailor-made itineraries feel free to ask our concierge team, we will be happy to introduce you to our wonderful city and its surroundings!
Geneviève, Maëlle, Jade, Paula & Marjorie
Your Concierge Team
