Quebec City, Quebec — Activities
Quebec City Culture
Quebec City's cultural scene runs the gamut from the high aspects of opera and symphony to intimate 'boites à chansons', with their Celtic-tinged Québécois folk music. While there is some experimental theater, much of the theater tends towards the mainstream, with larger performances often consisting of light-hearted musicals, such as Starmania and Notre-Dame de Paris. The best way for visitors to appreciate the culture, however, is during one of the large festivals.
For the latest on Quebec City's culture scene, check the listings in the free alternative weekly Voir (www.voir.ca) or the free, bilingual tourist publications Québec Scope (www.quebecscope.com) and Voilà Québec.
Tickets for many events are available from Réseau Billetech outlets (tel: (418) 643 8131; www.billetech.com), as well as the venues themselves.
Music and Theater
Chalmers-Wesley United Church
Many of Quebec City's churches provide a wonderful ambience for classical concerts. Chalmers-Wesley United Church has organ concerts on Sunday at 1800 during the summer.
78 rue Sainte-Ursule
Tel: (418) 692-2640.
Website: www.chalmerswesley.org
Grand Théâtre de Québec
Quebec City's most prestigious venue hosts some of the city's largest theatrical productions, in addition to concerts. Le Grand Théâtre is home to the city's main symphony orchestra, the century-old Orchestre Symphonique de Québec; the Opéra de Québec; and the Théâtre du Trident, which performs modern French works and translations of American and European plays. It also features performances by visiting soloists and orchestras organized by the Club Musical de Québec music society.
269 boulevard René-Lévesque East
Tel: (418) 643 8131.
Website: www.grandtheater.qc.ca
Le Capitole de Québec
Le Capitole de Québec has dinner theater performances and a smaller cabaret venue that features comedy and musical acts.
972 rue Saint-Jean
Tel: (418) 694 4444.
Website: www.lecapitole.com
Théâtre de la Bordée
Théâtre de la Bordée has a contemporary and often cutting-edge program.
315 rue Saint-Joseph Est
Tel: (418) 694 9721.
Website: www.bordee.qc.ca
Dance
Méduse
There are no major permanent dance companies in the city. La Rotonde produces shows by touring and local contemporary dance companies, with most performances taking place at the Méduse arts center.
541 rue de Saint-Vallier Est
Tel: (418) 640 9218.
Website: www.meduse.org
Quebec City Tours
Walkingtours
One of the classic routes to explore Quebec City on foot is to walk along the top of the fortification walls, with the option of continuing to the Citadel and along the Plains of Abraham; a partial tour is available from the Center d'Interprétation des Fortifications-de-Québec. A number of thematic walking tours are also available: the Corporation du patrimoine et du tourisme religieux de Québec covers the city's religious heritage, whereas Ghost Tours of Québec delves into the supernatural.
Center d'Interprétation des Fortifications-de-Québec
Tel: (418) 648 7016.
Website: www.pc.gc.ca/fortifications
Corporation du patrimoine et du tourisme religieux de Québec
Tel: (418) 694 0665.
Website: www.patrimoine-religieux.com
Ghost Tours of Québec
Tel: (418) 692 9770.
Website: www.ghosttoursofquebec.com
Bustours
Nearly a dozen companies offer bus tours, with the basic city tour including Upper and Lower Towns, the fortifications and the Citadel, the Plains of Abraham and the National Assembly buildings. Most companies offer optional excursions and bus/walk or bus/boat combinations. Companies offering tours on a year-round, daily basis include Old Quebec Tours.
Tel: (418) 664 0460.
Website: www.toursvieuxquebec.com
Boattours
Boat cruises, which allow a magnificent view of the city, travel downstream to the Ile d'Orléans and beyond; departures are from the Bassin Louise, in the Old Port north of Upper Town. Les Croisières Le Coudrier offers sightseeing cruises, as well as dinner cruises and longer excursions. Croisières AML offers similar packages, as well as whale-watching trips.
Croisières AML
Tel: (418) 692 1159.
Website: www.croisieresaml.com
Les Croisières Le Coudrier
Tel: (418) 692 0107.
Website: www.croisierescoudrier.qc.ca
Othertours
The most romantic way to tour the city is in a horse-drawn calèche. These can be hired just inside the city walls near Porte St-Louis from Calèches du Vieux-Québec or other companies. Héli Express Tours offers helicopter flights over the city. Departures are from Jean Lesage International Airport. Taxi Coop offers private half-day tours that include Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Canyon-Sainte-Anne and the Montmorency Falls.
Calèches du Vieux-Québec
Tel: (418) 683 9222.
Website: www.calecheduvieuxquebec.com
Héli Express Tours
Tel: (418) 877 5890.
Website: www.heliexpres.com
Taxi Coop
Tel: (418) 525 5191.
Website www.taxicoop-quebec.com
