General Information Québec City

Québec City.

Québec City, the capital of the Province of Québec and home to roughly half a million residents, is a culturally vibrant destination where history, nature, and modern life come together in harmony.

Wide landscape: the Château Frontenac and Old Québec above the St. Lawrence, ideally golden hour.
We wish to emphasize that the land on which we will gather is part of the traditional unceded territory of the Wendat people. The city is built at the intersection of the Nionwentsïo territory of the Wendat Nation, the Ndakina territory of the Wabanaki nation, the Nitassinan territory of the Innu nation, the Nitaskinan territory of the Atikamekw nation, and of the Wolastokuk territory of the Wolastoqeythe nation. The name Québec comes from the Indigenous word Kébec, meaning "where the river narrows," reflecting the city's location along the majestic St. Lawrence River. You will be able to learn about the historic and continuing importance of the First nations of Québec through our opening ceremony, a pre-congress workshop, an optional organised visit to the Huron-Wendat museum with life-sized exhibits, attending the free Kwe festival as well as an optional self-guided tour of the museum of civilization exhibit "this is our story", created by the 11 first nations and inuit people of Québec.

The area saw its first French settlement established in 1608. Today, Québec City is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains the only walled city north of Mexico whose fortifications are still intact. Its historic Old Town, with its charming cobblestone streets and distinctive architecture, offers a window into centuries of history, while the city continues to thrive as a dynamic center of innovation, culture, and creativity. We have several museums of interest, spanning fine arts, history, and civilization. Surrounded by striking natural landscapes, including the St-Charles River, known in Wendat as Akiawenrahk, which flows through the city, Québec City combines the amenities and energy of a major urban center with an exceptional proximity to nature. Renowned for its culinary excellence, vibrant arts scene, and warm hospitality, the city offers visitors a unique cultural experience shaped by both tradition and modern vitality. We invite you to explore the various neighbourhoods of Québec city, each with its own distinctive style and attractions.

Old Québec: a cobblestone street in the Petit-Champlain district, or the St-Charles River through the city.

Several events take place around the time of your visit. For example, the National holiday of Québec, la St-Jean Baptiste, is celebrated on June 24th. The Wendake pow wow also takes place in June, with a free public music show on June 21st. Finally, the Festival d'Été de Québec, a world-renowned music festival, takes place in early July.

For further ideas about what to do in Québec city.