An enchanting past
Immerse yourself in 400 years of French Canadian history with flights from Sault Ste. Marie to Québec City.
The capital of Québec is home to some of the province’s premier historic points of interest. Hundreds of years of heritage are written in the cobblestone roads running between churches and citadels. With cozy cafés and talented buskers along the way, you’ll find amazing things to do down every avenue of Québec City.
For the height of Québec City’s enchanting European flair, head to Vieux-Québec. To travel between the two halves of the historic sector of the city (the Haute-Ville and the Basse-Ville), you can ride the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec or challenge yourself by stepping onto the steep staircase that runs between the two, l’Escalier Casse Cou.
As you stroll through the streets, keep an eye open for some of the city’s oldest structures. Built between 1608 and 1871, the Fortifications-de-Québec surround the Haute-Ville, as a remnant of the city’s military past. The peaceful Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec has stood in the city since 1647, adorned with gold details and towering archways.
One of the best ways to see even more amazing architecture is to take a walking tour of Vieux-Québec. Step onto the Terrasse Dufferin, Promenade Samuel-de-Champlain, Promenade des Gouverneurs for some of the city’s finest strolling. As you traverse the Promenade des Gouverneurs, you’ll pass by the charming Château Frontenac, the world’s most photographed hotel.
At the end of the Promenade des Gouverneurs, you’ll find the Parc des Champs-de-Bataille. One of the city’s favourite green spaces, this park is just the start of the region’s amazing outdoors. In Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, the thunderous Chutes Montmorency waterfalls tumble down over 80 metres, creating amazing sprays and ice formations in the winter. In the nearby Parc National de la Jacques Cartier, the province’s natural splendour shines in mountainous plateaus and glacial valleys.
Balance nature with history during your trip from Sault Ste. Marie, by setting out for one of these adventurous destinations.
Colline Parlementaire (Parliament Hill)
The heart of Québec’s politics
After your plane from Sault Ste. Marie lands, vote to visit the Colline Parlementaire.
As you stroll through Québec City’s Colline Parlementaire neighbourhood, the historic Hôtel du Parlement dominates the neighbourhood’s skyline. Building begun on this striking structure in 1877, but it wasn’t until 1886 that the Hôtel was completed. With an architectural design based on Paris’ Louvre Palace, this building is one of the few French-style structures in Québec City.
For fine dining on the Hill, sit down for a meal in the splendid beaux-arts style Le Parlementaire Restaurant. Locavores will love the restaurants use of produce and honey grown in Jardins du Parliament, just outside the Hotel.
Aside from these scenic gardens, the grounds of the Hôtel du Parliament house a variety of other points of interest. Throughout the area, a series of 26 bronze statues serve to commemorate some of the province’s most influential figures, from founders, to politicians, to soldiers. Whether it’s dressed in winter decorations or spraying water, the Fontaine de Tourny is a highlight of the hill. Once located in Bordeaux, France, this 19th century fountain was a gift to the city for its 400th anniversary.
In the area surrounding the Hôtel, several more Québec City attractions add to the appeal of this neighbourhood. Step inside the Porte Saint-Louis. First built in the 17th century, this gate into the town has been deconstructed and reconstructed twice over its lifespan. Also nearby, the expansive Parc des Champs-de-Bataille and the Plaines d’Abraham offer unparalleled views of the St. Lawrence River.
For a vista of the whole city, head to the Observatoire de la Capitale. From the top of this 221 metre building, you’ll be able to see the whole city and spot the next stop on your trip from Sault Ste. Marie to Québec City.
Parc des Champs-de-Bataille (Battlefields Park)
History in harmony with nature
Climb to the top of Cap-Diamant to Parc des Champs-de-Bataille, for the peak of fun things to do in Québec.
Experience the sparkling natural beauty of Québec from this vantage point over the St. Lawrence River. Canada’s first National Historic Park, this area saw one of the most pivotal battles of the Seven Years Wars. In 1759, British and French forces clashed in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Now, this peaceful green space provides a quiet retreat during your busy visit from Sault Ste. Marie.
Britain and France meet again in the park’s Jardin Jeanne d’Arc, where British and French style gardens bloom alongside one another. The garden has been growing its plant collection for more than 75 years and now houses 150 varieties of plant. When the weather gets colder, the garden is still a hotbed of activity, with light displays and painted scenes depicting the park’s past.
Outside the garden, Parc des Champs-de-Bataille is a winter wonderland. Make the most of Québec City’s chilly winters with plenty of cold-weather activities. Learn more about the history of the Plaines d’Abraham with a guided snowshoe tour of the area. Skate across the park on the expansive rink that runs through the park. To explore snow as far as the eye can ski, traverse the cross-country trails that run for more than 10 km through the park.
When spring arrives, Parc des Champs-de-Bataille celebrates the changing of the seasons with the Grande Fête de la Nature. This springtime festival features educational programs on the environment. The festival atmosphere grows during the summer, when the Kiosque Edwin-Belanger begins its concert series.
Musical performances reach a crescendo during the Festival d'été de Québec. Over the course of 11 days, the park is the main stage for some of the biggest names in music. With nine other venues taking part in this fantastic music festival, the whole of Québec City becomes one giant party.
Whether you come for the concerts or the horticulture, a day in the heights of Parc des Champs-de-Bataille is sure to be a highlight of your trip from Sault Ste. Marie.
Getting to Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in the departures area.
Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) is about 19 km / 12 mi from downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Transportation
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxi and car service from downtown costs about $45 CAD.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Landing in Québec City
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is about 16 km / 10 mi from downtown Québec City.
Transportation
Take the Réseau de Transport de la Capitale 78 bus from the airport stop. The fare is $3.50 CAD.
Taxis to downtown cost about $35 CAD. Car service costs about $85 CAD.
Car rental services are available on the ground level of the administrative building of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport Parking
Driving to Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport? There are options to choose from. InParq multi-level parkings cots $2.50 per 15 minutes, for a maxium of $24.50 for 24 hours or $147 for the week. ProxiParq outdoors parking has rates of $19.50 for 24 hours and $97.50 for one week.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
