Signature City Québec
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Explore the Plains of Abraham, site of many clashes between the French and British Empires, and walk the cobblestone streets and well-preserved 17th-century architecture of Old Québec with local experts.
- Visit Montmorency Falls and discover one of the most beautiful natural jewels of Quebec.
- Discover the rich cultural heritage at the National Museum of Fine Arts, boasting the highest concentration of artists in the province.
General Notes
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
- 2024
- 2025
- Jul 01 - Jul 06
- Aug 05 - Aug 10
- Aug 12 - Aug 17
- Aug 19 - Aug 24
- Aug 26 - Aug 31
- Sep 02 - Sep 07
- Sep 09 - Sep 14
- Sep 16 - Sep 21
- Sep 23 - Sep 28
- Oct 07 - Oct 12
- Oct 14 - Oct 19
- Oct 21 - Oct 26
- Nov 04 - Nov 09
- Nov 11 - Nov 16
- 2024
- 2025
- Jul 01 - Jul 06
- Aug 05 - Aug 10
- Aug 12 - Aug 17
- Aug 19 - Aug 24
- Aug 26 - Aug 31
- Sep 02 - Sep 07
- Sep 09 - Sep 14
- Sep 16 - Sep 21
- Sep 23 - Sep 28
- Oct 07 - Oct 12
- Oct 14 - Oct 19
- Oct 21 - Oct 26
- Nov 04 - Nov 09
- Nov 11 - Nov 16
Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 4:00 pm. There are 23 stairs from the hotel ground level entrance to the main lobby. A phone is available at ground level to request luggage assistance.
Afternoon: Arrive to historic Québec City and transfer to the hotel. Program registration begins at 4:00 pm. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel at 6:00 pm.
Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity note: Walking about 3-4 miles. Many steep hills, uneven terrain, cobblestone, and stairs will be encountered, some without railings. Periods of standing up to 1-hour at a time, no seating available at the museum.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Enjoy a presentation about the history of Québec City, beginning with its founding, to the fortifications which surround the Old Town and date back to 1745, to the culture of the city today. This morning’s field trip will take us on a walking exploration of the Upper Town, beginning at the hotel. We will visit the monument of Samuel de Champlain, father of New France and founder of Québec City. We will continue to Dufferin Terrace, where we will enjoy magnificent views of the mountains, the St Lawrence river, the Lower Town, and the star-shaped Citadel. Enrich your knowledge of the city while learning about cannons, loopholes, and Québec’s defences under two different regimes—all mingled with the city of today.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Explore the Museum of Civilization where we’ll learn about the Indigenous Peoples, their culture, traditions, and their contemporary expression of international autochthony. Museum staff will lead us through the various Indigenous territories, through a storyline which will recreate their vision of history and challenges for the future.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening: At your leisure.
Activity note: Walking about 3-4 miles. Many steep hills, uneven terrain, cobblestone, and stairs will be encountered, some without railings. Periods of standing up to 1-hour at a time, no seating available at the museum. Driving approximately 25 miles over 2 hours.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Learn about Québec through a comparison of “Then and Now,” together with an illustrated lecture given by our local historian, a long-time resident of Québec City. Gain insight into the city’s unique architecture on an expert led walk through the historic Old City. This field trip will begin at the hotel before heading toward Lower Town and Place Royale, known as the cradle of French civilization in North America. Observe the merchant houses and Notre-Dame-des-Victories Church and uncover the charming commercial district on rue du Petit-Champlain.
Lunch: At the hotel.
Afternoon: Learn from a museum expert about the educational mission of the Ursuline nuns and their way of life. The convent is the oldest institution of its kind in North America. The Ursulines museum contains one of the richest ethnographic and artistic collections dating back to New France, including exquisite embroidery by the Ursuline nuns. By coach we will explore the Plains of Abraham, the site of a pivotal battle in the Seven Years War. An expert will bring to life the ways in which this battle shaped the city. We’ll also show you how essential the Plains have become in the life of Québec City’s residents, year round.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening: At your leisure.
Activity note: Walking approximately 1 mile for 1 hour over mostly groomed trails
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: During a morning lecture, learn about the periods of war and peace that have defined Québec City’s rich history. Visit Montmorency Falls, at 272 feet high, they are almost 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls. Walk to different viewpoints and learn about the history of the area. At the foot of the Falls, passing over the river, the old railway crossing has been replaced by a long, wide footbridge providing pedestrian access with platforms on various levels. With unforgettable views, Montmorency Falls is one of the most beautiful natural jewels of Québec.
Lunch: Lunch on your own to enjoy local fare.
Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner: On your own.
Evening: At your leisure.
Activity note: Walking about 3-4 miles. Many steep hills, uneven terrain, cobblestone, and stairs will be encountered, some without railings. Periods of standing up to 1-hour at a time, no seating available at the museum. Driving approximately 15 miles over 30 minutes.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Visit the city’s first prison, Morrin Centre, built over 200 years ago. A local expert will recount spellbinding and haunting stories surrounding this Victorian building seeped in history. Home to a collection of literary gems, some of which date back to the 16th century, this is also the site of the city’s first English language institute for higher education. Wander along Dufferin Terrace, a wooden boardwalk which stretches from the Citadel to Château Frontenac with spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River and Ile d’Orléans. Explore the archeological site under Dufferin Terrace where the remains of the Saint-Louis Châteaux were found.
Lunch: At the Museum of Fine Arts restaurant.
Afternoon: Explore the National Museum of Fine Arts with a museum expert who will provide an examination of the works of art on exhibit. Over 22,000 selections of works are displayed in three chronological exhibitions, beginning with early Quebecois religious art, before moving to European-influenced modernist art up to 1945, and ending with abstract art from the mid-20th century.
Dinner: Historic Château Frontenac
Evening: At your leisure.
Activity note: Hotel check-out is at noon. There are 23 stairs from the hotel lobby to the ground level. Luggage assistance available upon request.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!