A trip to Europe may not be in your budget, but a visit to Québec City could be. This Canadian city charms its visitors with 17th and 18th century buildings. The aromas of freshly baked bread and brewing espresso fill the cobblestone streets with the essence of Paris.
The sight of winding cobblestone streets and towering cathedrals; the sound of French pleasantries and tourists’ “Oohs;” the smell of fresh-baked bread and pungent cheese; the taste of creamy café lattes and buttery croissants. All your senses agree: You’re in France. But they’re wrong: You’re in Québec.
Québec City—the capital of the Canadian province, Québec—dwelled in the shadow of its neighbor, Montreal, for a long time, but the 2008 celebration of its 400th birthday catapulted Québec City back into the spotlight. Since then, travelers have flocked here to experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s charm for themselves. As the birthplace of New France, Québec City continues to uphold the culture of its motherland. Upon passing through the fortified walls of the old city, you’ll discover a world straight out of a European painting: 17th- and 18th-century buildings house bakers, bistros, and boutiques, while cobbled squares are drowned by a sea of café tables. And around every corner, a piece of Québec City’s rich heritage awaits discovery.