Photo credit: Région de Québec © GouvQc, Benoit Cecile

6 must-sees to discover the heritage of the Québec City Region

Québec City is a treasure trove of heritage sites that bear witness to its 400 years of history and reflect its distinctive architecture. From a world-renowned sanctuary to a monastery where you can stay in authentic surroundings, these six must-see attractions invite you on a captivating journey through centuries.

01 Discover the must-sees
02 Good to know
03 Stay a while
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Discover the must-sees

1. The Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine: a world-renowned site at the gateway to Québec City
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The Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine is one of the region’s most significant heritage sites and the oldest pilgrimage site in North America. Its basilica boasts impressive architecture and rich interior décor, with sculptures, stained glass windows and other works of art that exemplify remarkable craftsmanship.

Be sure to catch Echo, a 12-minute multimedia experience of light and sound, that transforms the basilica’s blue chapel several times a day. It’s an original way to this iconic place again or for the first time!

2. Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church: a living witness to the cradle of French America
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A true icon in Old Québec City, the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, whose construction began in 1688, is the oldest stone church in the country to have retained its original walls.

Although the church is closed until April 4, 2026, you can still admire its architecture from the outside and see traces of Samuel de Champlain’s second settlement. The picturesque setting of Place Royale is also a great place to take a picture to remember your visit at the heart of French America.

3. The Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral: a Canadian heritage icon
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The Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, overlooking Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, is one of the country’s most recognizable religious monuments and a testament to Québec City’s central role in Canadian history. Built in 1647, it has been classified as a National Historic Site of Canada for its architectural value.

Inside, the ornaments and works of art are a pure delight for the eyes. There is also a crypt where four governors of New France are buried, a reminder of the importance of this place throughout the centuries. The Basilica is also known for its Holy Door, the only one outside Europe.

4. The Cathédrale of the Holy Trinity: British heritage in the heart of Old Québec
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The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the first Anglican cathedral built outside the British Isles, occupies an important place in Québec City’s heritage landscape.

Inside, a permanent exhibition displays ten pieces of Georgian silverware, and colourful stained glass windows, many of which came from London, illuminate the space. The cathedral also carries on the English musical tradition of “change ringing,” dating back more than 400 years, thanks to its eight-bell carillon.

During the high season, guided tours allow visitors to discover this site, which also hosts a program of concerts throughout the year.

5. The Augustine Monastery: heritage and wellness in Québec City
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Occupying the site of the first hospital established north of Mexico, the Augustine Monastery invites you to immerse yourself in history and monastic architecture. Its permanent exhibition, “Resonance,” reveals the legacy of the Augustinian Sisters through a journey combining heritage and well-being. Guided tours also offer an opportunity to learn more about the site’s past, and a calendar of activities includes concerts, creative workshops, family yoga sessions and more.

You can even stay overnight in authentic or contemporary rooms to fully immerse yourself in the monastery’s unique atmosphere.

6. The Pôle culturel du Monastère des Ursulines: nearly 400 years of history and education
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Located on the very site where the New France Ursulines’ order was founded and the first school for girls in North America was built, the Pôle culturel du Monastère des Ursulines highlights nearly 400 years of history and education in Quebec. Its museum presents remarkable collections that extend beyond the religious sphere, including a new permanent exhibition, Growing Up with the Ursulines, opening April 30.

Throughout the year, a program of activities—such as Echoes from the Heart experience, a 360-degree audio tour narrated by Ursuline Sisters, and an immersive game for families—allows visitors to discover this historic site in a different way.

Photo credit: Marie-Anne Gaudreault
Photo credit: ÉAQ, Marie-Anne Gaudreault
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Good to know

Visit the Destination Québec cité website for more discoveries

Check the business hours of each location before you go.

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Discover Québec City
Learn more

Stay a while

Québec City is North America’s oldest catholic parish and the city where the first Anglican cathedral outside the British Isles was built. Churches, chapels, monasteries, museums and religious festivals give the surrounding region prestige and steep it in history. Treasures of devotional art there include masterpieces of gold and silver as well as precious liturgical objects.

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