Even in a city with picturesque scenes around every corner, the Petit Champlain area, located along the waterfront in the Lower Town, stands out as an especially charming corner of Old Québec. The heart of the neighborhood is the Place Royale while its spine is Rue du Petit-Champlain. While the area claims the distinction of being North America’s oldest commercial district, for most of its history its buildings housed the offices of fur traders and stevedores lodged in the tenement apartments. Today, while it’s still a bustling neighborhood, the boutiques and bistros are what draw visitors to the cobblestoned lanes. In the summer, café tables spill out into the streets; in the winter, the neighborhood exudes a Québecois sense of coziness, especially at night after a snowfall, when every restaurant offers a tempting shelter from the cold.
Canada _ Quebec _ Old Quebec _ Upper town _ District of Petit Champlain _ Street of petit Champlain
Mickael David / age fotostock
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Petit-Champlain District
The Petit-Champlain District (Quartier Petit Champlain) runs along the river, at the foot of the escarpment that separates Upper Town from Lower Town in Old Québec. Long part of the city’s working port, the district fell into disrepair as the city expanded beyond its walls. But recent decades have brought a revitalization; today, meticulously restored centuries-old buildings now house boutiques, antique stores, inviting restaurants and intimate hotels.
European charm in Quebec's Petit-Champlain District
Beautiful anytime of year, the charming cobblestone streets of the Petit-Champlain District are especially delightful during the winter. Discover independent shops selling Quebecois specialties such as ice cider and maple syrup or just enjoy meandering through the narrow alleys enjoying the festive decorations and ice sculptures celebrating the winter season.
