Quebec, Canada
Overview
According to topschoolsintheusa, mainly French-speaking Quebec is Canada’s largest province and is made up of hilly, mostly agricultural areas along the St. Lawrence River, vast, barren mountains to the north, 15,204 km of coastline, deep gorges and rocky fjords. Outdoor vacationers appreciate the three national parks, countless nature reserves and game reserves, and more than 100,000 lakes and numerous rivers offer the best fishing conditions. The beautiful landscape also offers excellent skiing and hiking areas. Caribou (North American reindeer) and other wildlife live in the tundra of northern Quebec. Quebec is fundamentally different from the rest of Canada because of its French culture, which has been cultivated with great pride for more than 400 years. The official language in Quebec is French, and Montreal, the province’s largest city, is the largest French-speaking city outside of Paris. Both Quebec City, whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Montreal have charming old neighborhoods with cobblestone streets and a decidedly French vibe.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Direct flights to Montréal are operated by: – Lufthansa (LH) and Air Canada (AC) from Frankfurt; – Lufthansa (LH) in cooperation with Air Canada (AC) from Munich; – Swiss (LX) and Air Canada (AC) from Zurich. With stopovers, Austrian Airlines (OS) flies from Vienna in cooperation with Lufthansa (LH) via Munich and with Air Canada (AC) via Toronto to Montréal. Air Transat (TS) flies from Basel to Montréal from May to October. Regional airlines operate between cities in the south of the province; Seaplanes are used to the parks and lakes in the north. The major airlines are Air Creebec (YN), Air Inuit (3H), American Airlines (AA), Delta Airlines (DL) and First Air (7F). Air France (AF) flies direct to Québec City from Paris CDG. There are feeder flights from Switzerland.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Montreal: 8 hours 15 minutes; Munich – Montreal: 8 hours 45 minutes; Zurich – Montreal: 8 hours 30 minutes; Vienna – Montréal: 9 hours 45 minutes (pure flight time). Montreal – Quebec: 45 mins
Arrival by car
Québec has a well-developed highway network that connects both the major cities with each other and Québec itself with the surrounding provinces. From Toronto, Highway 401 leads to Montréal (journey time: 5 hours). On the New York – Montréal route, Interstate 89 merges with the Canadian road network near St. Armand. Bus: Orleans Express serves a variety of cities within the province, with particularly good connections in the south. Other bus companies in Québec include Intercar. Greyhound USA connects Montréal with Boston and New York City. Mobile homes are particularly suitable for exploring the extensive lake and forest areas. Toll: The A30 south of Montréal and the bridge on the A25 north of Montréal are toll roads. Electric vehicles equipped with an A30 Express transponder and registered in Québec do not pay tolls. Documents: The German national driving license is valid for 6 months in Canada. However, it is recommended that you carry your international driver’s license with you. All other nationalities require the International Driving Permit. The German national driving license is valid for 6 months in Canada. However, it is recommended that you carry your international driver’s license with you. All other nationalities require the International Driving Permit. The German national driving license is valid for 6 months in Canada. However, it is recommended that you carry your international driver’s license with you. All other nationalities require the International Driving Permit.
Arrival by train
VIA Rail offers fast and regular service between Montréal, Québec City and Toronto. Another route runs from Montréal and Québec City to Halifax (Nova Scotia). VIA Rail and Amtrak connect Montréal with Albany and New York.
rail passes
The Canrailpass and the Canrailpass – Corridor are also valid in the province of Québec. For more information on Rail Passes, contact Via Rail Canada or CRD, or see Canada – Local Mobility.
Arrival by ship
Québec City and Montréal are Canada’s largest port cities on the St. Lawrence River, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes and industrial areas of Canada and the United States. Several international shipping companies call at both cities. Passenger ships from Europe dock only in Montréal.
Cruise ships
Among others, the shipping companies Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line, AIDA and Seabourn call at Montréal and sometimes Québec City on their cruises.
Ferry provider
Regional ferries operate on most of the province’s lakes and rivers. The Société des traversiers Québec has useful information about ferry crossings in Québec.
Routes across the rivers
Croisières AML offer a cruise on the St. Lawrence River between Montréal and Québec City.
Passport and visa regulations
Entry with children
Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Language
Overview
The official language French is spoken by 82% of the population, 35% also speak English.
Public Holidays
Overview
As in the rest of Canada, plus:
Contact addresses
Tourisme Québec (Centre Infotouriste, Montréal)
1255 Peel Street, Suite 100
Montréal, Québec
Canada
+1 (514) 844 54 00, +1 (800) 230 00 01 (toll free in Canada/USA).
http://www.mtl.org/en
http://www.mtl.org/en
In winter: daily 09:00 – 17:00, in summer: daily 09:00 – 18:00.
Tourism Quebec
c/o Global Communication Experts GmbH
(also responsible for Switzerland).
Hanauer Landstrasse 184
Frankfurt am Main
Germany
+49 (69) 17 53 71 00.
http://www.quebecoriginal.com/en
http://www.quebecoriginal.com/en
Business
Business contacts
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal 380 St-Antoine West, local 6000 Montréal, Québec H2Y 3X7 Tel: (514) 496 46 36. Fax: (514) 496 59 34. Internet: www.infoentrepreneurs.org
Shopping
Overview
Top shopping is available in Québec City and Montréal. Native American crafts, fashion and antiques are on offer. Opening times: Mon-Wed 09.00-18.00, Thu-Fri 09.00-21.00 and Sat and Sun 09.00-17.00.
Nightlife
Introduction
Montréal and Québec City (especially the western part of the city) are home to some of Canada’s best nightclubs and cabarets. Typically French clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and bistros can be found to the east of the city, in the St Denis and St Laurent area.
Culinary
Overview
Quebec City prides itself on French heritage and culture, and nowhere is that more evident than in the province’s restaurants and cuisines. Immigrants from other countries contribute to the country’s culinary diversity. International cuisine is served in the large hotels, but the best places to eat are usually in the small restaurants on the side streets. Specialties include boulettes (meatballs) and cretons du Québec (cold ground beef). The Ile d’Orléans northeast of Québec City provides fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinks: Québec has excellent wines and spirits. Some are produced locally, rarer wines are imported from Europe. Tavernas and brasseries sell Mon-Sat 10.00-00. 00 o’clock alcoholic beverages. Cocktail lounges and cabarets stay open until 3am. The minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 18 years.
Accommodation
Hotels
The big cities offer a good range of hotels and other accommodation. Some of Canada’s best hotels are in Montréal and Québec City. Outside of the big cities, accommodation options are more rural, with lodges and log cabins popular. Rooms in private houses are also offered. Recently there is a classification system for hotels and gîtes. Participation is voluntary; Participating accommodations can be recognized by the plaque ‘Hébergement Québec’. Depending on the comfort and quality of the facilities, hotels are rated with 1 to 6 stars, holiday homes receive 1 to 6 suns for homely atmosphere, architecture and comfort. Information can be obtained from Tourisme Quebéc (see addresses).
Camping
The vast forest and lake area in the north of the province is home to some of Canada’s best campgrounds. Campers and other fully equipped rental vehicles are available. Further details from the Fédération Québecoise de Camping et de Caravaning, 4545 Avenue Pierre de Coubertin, PO Box 1000, Succ. M., Montreal, Quebec H1V 3R2. (Tel: (514) 252 33 33. Web: www.guidecamping.ca).
Climate
Best travel time
The summer months (June to August) are warm, with temperatures dropping in the evening. Cool in spring and autumn, very cold in winter with snowfall.
Country data
Area (sq km)
1542056
Population
8,484,965
Population density (per square km)
5
Population statistics year
2019
