Arm in arm, walking along the rue Saint Louis
The “rue” Saint Louis is one of the oldest streets in Quebec City and the beginning of a tour of one of the most romantic city in North America.
Romantic couples, Romantic activity, Quebec City, Most romantic city
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Arm in arm, walking along the rue Saint Louis

RUE SAINT-LOUIS

The Hotel Le Clos Saint-Louis is located on the “rue” Saint Louis, one of the oldest streets in Quebec City. We invite you to discover its rich history step by step. This east-west route stretches from Dufferin Terrace at the Chateau Frontenac to the Porte Saint-Louis and its ramparts. The street’s origin dates back to the 17th century.

 

PORTE SAINT-LOUIS

The Porte Saint Louis, one of three still-standing city gates, was originally built in 1693 on “St. Louis Street,” overlooking the Plains of Abraham. In 1745 it was replaced by another gate located a little farther west. This gate, in turn, was demolished and rebuilt in its present form in 1878.

porte-saint-louis-quebec

MONUMENT DES CONFÉRENCES DE QUÉBEC

Located at the intersection of the rue Saint-Louis and the entrance to the Citadel, the Quebec Conferences Monument (le monument aux Conférences de Québec) was constructed to honor to the Quebec Conferences of 1943 and 1944, which were secret high-level military talks between the British and the Americans at the height of World War II. The monument includes the busts of both Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

WALKING ALONG RUE SAINT-LOUIS

Adolphe-Basile Routhier, novelist, judge and author of the lyrics of the national anthem “O Canada,” lived at 85 rue Saint-Louis. He died the age of 81 and was buried in the Notre-Dame-de-Belmont church in the Sainte-Foy section of the city.

At the corner of rue Sainte-Ursule and rue Saint-Louis you will find the site of the first permanent city hall of Quebec City (1940-1896).

Across the street from the Hotel Le Clos Saint-Louis, at 47 rue Saint-Louis, the Lieutenant General of the Armies of New France, Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, died on September 14, 1759. Although the original residence was demolished, it was rebuilt in 1870 and named the Maison du Général (“House of the General”). A commemorative plaque is affixed to the entrance.

On the right hand side as you walk down rue Saint-Louis towards the Dufferin Terrace, you can’t help but notice a tree that has grown around a cannonball. It was actually a bomb that was loaded with an incendiary material. It has been a “prisoner” of the roots of this elm tree since the 1900s.

 

LE MUSÉE DES URSULINES DE QUÉBEC

On your left on the rue Parloir lies the Ursuline Convent, home to a terrific museum that demonstrates and preserves the heritage of the first teachers for girls in North America, as well as the hertige of the other first occupants of QuebecCity, including the Augustinians, Jesuits, and colonists.

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THE OLDEST BUILDING IN OLD QUEBEC CITY

At the corner of rue Desjardins and rue Saint-Louis, you will find the Maison Jacquet, the oldest building in Old Quebec City, which was built between 1675 and 1676. Since 1966 it has been home to the restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens.

Across the street you will find the Museum of Inuit Art.

 

 

PLACE D’ARMES AND CHÂTEAU FRONTENAC

In the beautiful Place d’Armes stands the old courthouse, which was built between 1883 and 1887. This imposing four-storey stone building still contains original furnishings in the former office of the Chief Justice, as well as in the former hearing room of the criminal court and in the law library.

Facing Place d’Armes you will see the majestic Chateau Frontenac, the most photographed hotel in the world. Its construction began in the late 1800s. You are welcome to enter the hotel and visit the public areas. Stop at The Bistro Sam or at Starbucks, both accessible from the ground floor. Or have high tea between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday at a cost of $45 per person.

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THE DUFFERIN TERRACE

Adjacent to the Chateau Frontenac and at the foot of the Citadel lies Dufferin Terrace. This long wooden boardwalk overlooks the St. Lawrence River above Cap Diamant and offers an excellent view of the river’s south shore, as well as of the Île d’Orléans (Orleans Island).

The first terrace built on the site was called Durham Terrace and was built in 1838 on the ruins of the former Château Saint-Louis. It was enlarged in 1854 and expanded yet again in 1878-1879, when it was renamed Dufferin Terrace. The canons positioned nearby serve as a reminder of the strategic importance of its location.

Facing the Chateau Frontenac along the rue Saint Anne you will find the Musee du Fort (Fort Museum) on the right and the tourism information office on the left.

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