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Québec

French Canada: Montréal & Québec City

Program No. 22250RJ
Be immersed in the architecture, Francophone culture and culinary arts of Montréal and Québec City as you discover the joie de vivre that unites the Québecois.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Montreal, QC
Program Concludes
Quebec City, QC
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
13 ( 6B, 3L, 4D )
Activity Level
Imagine a learning adventure where Europe's charm meets North American spirit. In Québec, "la belle province," you'll embark on an expert-led exploration of Montréal and Québec City's evocative architecture, vibrant Francophone culture, and passionate arts scene. From world-class museums to charming cobblestone streets, you'll discover the rich artistic expression and historic beauty, all while connecting with the warm, welcoming people of Québec. It's an unforgettable journey into the heart of "joie de vivre"!
Best of all, you'll...
  • Discover the artistic highlights of Québec City and Montréal through a variety of mediums and exhibits at their prestigious museums, including the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.
  • Hear from an expert about what it’s like living in Montréal today, with insights into the city’s cultural, social and economic climate.
  • Enjoy walking excursions through Old Montréal and Old Québec, including visits to the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montréal and the Chute Montmorency in Québec City (pace varies by date).
General Notes
Select program dates are at a more leisurely pace featuring less walking and additional transportation. Please see Dates and Prices Tab for more details.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Born and raised in Montreal, Sylvie Nadeau loves Quebec's largest city, the province's vibrant, creative multicultural hub, which she has been exploring her whole life on foot, by subway and on her bike. A professional in the travel industry for over 30 years and a recipient of several awards honoring the quality of her work, Sylvie hosts and coordinates the activities of Road Scholar groups with competence and enthusiasm. Her funny French accent and infectious joie de vivre give all her programs and tours a very personal color. A sports enthusiast, Sylvie is offering a new series for active travelers in addition to the many programs she already coordinates, all highlighting the many colors of Quebec as presented by passionate Quebecers dedicated to sharing the richness of their unique Canadian Province.
Originally from Montreal, Michel Jutras holds a master's degree in the management of cultural organizations and has extensive experience in leading educational excusions. Passionate about researching history, especially the history of the dietary and culinary traditions of Quebec, he is working on a large collection of ethnological texts, the first volume of which has already been published, while the second is currently being printed.
Marie Legroulx, a native of Québec City, has a bachelor's in history and a master's in Québec literature. She taught French and Québec literature at local universities for over 20 years. In 2008, she returned to college to become a professional in the tourism industry, and has since been leading historical, architectural and literary explorations. Québec history and language are topics close to her heart since she is a twelfth-generation Québécoise whose ancestors settled on the St. Lawrence River in the mid-seventeenth century.
François Gariépy, a native of Québec City, has lived in Montréal, Santiago de Chile, and now in Baie-Saint-Paul, Charlevoix — a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve. He is a recognized professional in international development and tourism for Charlevoix, actively promoting the region in the Canadian, U.S., Mexican, and European markets. François is trilingual with a passion for people, traveling, and cultures. He will be delighted to introduce Road Scholars to Montreal, Québec City, and the Charlevoix Region, addressing everyone’s interests in an enthusiastic, instructive, and secure manner.
Marie Bussières, born in Quebec City, is in love with its culture, French heritage and rich history. She is naturally curious about people and cultures, leading her to numerous travels and living broad. Her academic background includes geography, communication, and tourism. She became a group leader and local expert throughout the province of Quebec, as well as elsewhere in Canada. Inquisitive by nature and physically active, Marie is an avid photographer and skier who, within her guiding work, constantly learns and shares her knowledge generously.
Françoise Baby loves to share her enthusiasm about Montreal with visitors. She has a penchant for great food — her mother is French! — history, and architecture. What she enjoys most about being a local expert is interaction with Road Scholars. Her wish is that they come away with a cultural experience. The two most frequently asked questions Françoise gets are whether she is a native Montrealer and what is her favourite “thing” about the city. The answers are “yes”, and the multiculturalism that best defines Montreal.
Anna Maria Polonia was born and raised in Quebec City, and is now based in Montreal. Since a young age, she was marveled by Quebec City, and she now appreciates the effervescence of multicultural Montreal. After working in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, she has been sharing the wonders of both cities with her groups.
Laura Polisena is a Montreal-born first-generation Italian Canadian. She is part of the 21 percent of Montrealers who speak at least three languages. With a college diploma in tourism and a bachelor's in languages, she has worked in many different aspects of the travel industry. In her free time, she is learning Spanish and perfecting her Italian cooking skills.
Ronny Pangia was born and raised in Montreal. His passion for the city led him to study in international business at Concordia University and obtain his MBA from McGill University in 2002. Having worked many years in sales and marketing, Ronny's true interest remains promoting Montreal, leading him to obtain his tourist guide license from l'Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec in 2017. Ronny's interests include listening to music, attending live shows, discovering restaurants and food in the city, and cooking.
Activity Level
Varies by Date
Varies by date. ON YOUR FEET Dates: Walking up to one mile at a slower pace; additional transportation to some field trips. KEEP THE PACE Dates: Walking up to two miles at a brisk pace. Both Activity Levels travel on varied surfaces, from well-maintained sidewalks on busy streets to hills and cobblestones. The accommodations in Quebec (Hotel Manoir Victoria) have 23 steps to reach the lobby. This will need to be done 2 or 3 times a day.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (7 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.