Quebec Through the Centuries: A Tour of the Old City's Highlights

Tours for the Morrin Centre can be booked here: https://www.morrin.org/en/tour-booking/

Tours for the Saint-Louis Forts (under Dufferin terrace) can be booked here: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/saintlouisforts/activ/visite-tour

For traditional Québécois cuisine, I would recommend Restaurant aux Anciens Canadiens: https://auxancienscanadiens.qc.ca/reservations/

I recommend doing this tour in daylight, ideally from May to early October. A weekday morning is a good starting point for enjoying the streets before they become busier. Summer and major events can bring crowds, particularly around Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace and Petit-Champlain.

The tour stays outside, so you don't need to plan around museum or church opening hours. Allow extra time for any buildings, shops or cafés you'd like to visit separately.

Winter can be a beautiful time to explore, but completing this route depends on the conditions. Snow, ice and temporary closures can make the stairs and steep streets difficult or unsafe. Check the forecast and route notices before setting out, and choose a daylight window with manageable conditions.

Postpone the walk during freezing rain, heavy snowfall, thunderstorms or extreme cold. A quieter day with good footing will be more enjoyable than trying to complete the route in poor weather.

This route includes hills, uneven paving and several flights of stairs between Upper and Lower Town. It is not a step-free route. Visitors using wheelchairs or unable to manage stairs will need a separately planned alternative. Strollers may also be difficult to manage.

Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Take particular care on wet paving, wooden boardwalks and steps. Use the handrails and pause the audio while descending stairs or crossing roads.

Bring a bottle of water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in warm weather. Pack an extra layer and a waterproof jacket for changing conditions. A small umbrella can be useful in light rain, but keep a hand free for the stair rails.

In winter, wear insulated, waterproof boots with good traction, warm layers, gloves and a hat. Take indoor warming breaks when needed.

Bring a charged phone and headphones, and download the tour before setting out. A small power bank is useful. Keep the volume low enough to hear traffic and cyclists, and step aside before checking your screen or taking photographs.

Follow signs, crossing signals and any temporary diversions. Never cross a barrier or continue down an icy staircase simply because the recording directs you there. If a section is closed or unsafe, stop rather than improvise a shortcut.