- French is the official language, though English is widely spoken in Montreal
- Direct flights from London to Montreal take about 7 hours
- Quebec City's walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- UK visitors flying in need an eTA
- Airports
- Montreal-Trudeau (YUL), about 30-45 minutes to downtown; Quebec City (YQB) by connection
- Best time to go
- June-October; late September to mid-October for autumn colour; January-February for winter festivals
- Type
- Province
Quebec is Canada's largest province and its French-speaking heart. It feels distinct from the rest of the country, with its own language, laws, food and fierce sense of identity. For British travellers it offers something unusual: a slice of European culture on North American soil, set against a landscape of vast forests, the mighty St Lawrence River and a rugged coastline.
Most visitors focus on Montreal and Quebec City, but the countryside is just as rewarding. For the wider picture, see our Canada guide.
Things to do
- Montreal – Montreal is a creative, bilingual city with Old Montreal's cobbled streets, Mount Royal park, bagels, smoked meat and a big festival calendar.
- Quebec City – Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico, crowned by the Château Frontenac and full of historic squares.
- Charlevoix – a hilly region of farms, artists' villages and gourmet restaurants along the St Lawrence, centred on Baie-Saint-Paul.
- Whale watching at Tadoussac – where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St Lawrence, minke, fin and beluga whales feed in summer and autumn, with blue whales sometimes seen.
- The Gaspé Peninsula – a long coastal drive to Percé Rock and Forillon National Park at the tip.
- The Eastern Townships – rolling hills, lakes and vineyards close to the US border.
- Mont-Tremblant – a ski resort in winter and a lakes-and-forest base in summer, north of Montreal.
Where to stay
- Old Montreal or the Plateau – historic boutique hotels or a lively residential neighbourhood with cafés.
- Inside the walls in Quebec City – atmospheric, walkable and close to everything.
- Baie-Saint-Paul – inns and B&Bs for exploring Charlevoix.
- Mont-Tremblant village – pedestrianised resort accommodation.
- Tadoussac – small hotels and guesthouses for whale-watching trips.
Getting there
Air Canada, British Airways and Air Transat fly direct from London to Montreal in roughly seven hours, with seasonal flights from some other UK airports. Quebec City has no regular direct UK flights, so continue by train, road or a short connecting flight. British citizens flying to Canada need an eTA, applied for online on the official Government of Canada website. A GHIC is not valid in Canada, so arrange travel insurance.
VIA Rail runs between Montreal and Quebec City in around three and a half hours. A car is best for Charlevoix, the Gaspé and the Townships.
Best time to visit
Summer brings festivals, warm weather and whale season. Late September to mid-October is a highlight, when the maple forests turn red and gold. Winter is long, snowy and very cold, but Quebec City's Winter Carnival and ski resorts make the most of it. Spring brings maple syrup season in March and April at rural sugar shacks.
A few words of French, starting with "bonjour", go a long way in Quebec, even where people switch to English.
Top attractions in Quebec
Quebec on the map
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to speak French in Quebec?
Not in Montreal or the main tourist areas, where English is widely understood. In rural areas some French helps.
Do UK citizens need an eTA for Quebec?
Yes, if you are flying to Canada. Apply online on the official Government of Canada website before travel.
Is Montreal or Quebec City better?
Montreal is bigger, more cosmopolitan and better for food and nightlife; Quebec City is smaller and more romantic. Most visitors do both.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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