Hotel at a Glance: Auberge Saint-Antoine

When the Auberge Saint-Antoine was being built, an archaeological team unearthed some unusual finds: rare artifacts including pots, jugs, and plates, some of which dated back as far as the 17th century. The uncovered artifacts spoke to the site’s historical significance as a former wharf and trading hub in the Old Port of Quebec. The AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel proudly displays the heirlooms around the hotel; for a more detailed look, you can sign up for a free onsite archaeology tour.

• Notable press: The hotel has made Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the best hotels in the world nine times since 2003.
• Restaurant Panache—housed within a circa-1822 maritime warehouse—is well known for its locally sourced ingredients and stellar wine list, consisting of 700 labels from 14 countries.
• Café-Bar Artefact: Enjoy a more casual meal in this restaurant, which hosts live jazz music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Be sure to check out the historic French cannon on display.
• Guest-room amenities include evening turndown service, robes, slippers, a Nespresso coffee machine, and a minibar.
• Enjoy views of the Saint Lawrence River and the port from certain guest rooms.
• In good company: Auberge Saint-Antonie has been a member of Relais & Châteaux—an association of unique, high-caliber hotels around the world—since 2005.
• Added perks: Valet parking is included with all deals; select options also include breakfast and a three-course dinner.

Quebec City, Quebec: Centuries-Old City with Annual Public Festivals and Historic Attractions

Home to more than half a million mostly French-speaking inhabitants, Quebec’s capital city ranks among the oldest in North America. Founded in 1608, Old Quebec—now a UNESCO World Heritage site—is surrounded by the only city walls north of Mexico on the North American continent that are still standing. Within these ramparts, you’ll find cobblestone streets and examples of 17th-century colonial architecture. Be sure to visit the neoclassical Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral to see its soaring nave adorned with gold moulding.

Leading up to Mardi Gras each year, Quebec City hosts the Winter Carnival for two weeks; the population of the city explodes with visitors streaming in to see parades, outdoor shows, and elaborate ice sculptures. Another big annual event is Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), an official holiday celebrated with concerts, fireworks displays, and other forms of entertainment.

Year-round attractions include the majestic Montmorency Falls; the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, dedicated to preserving Québécois art from all eras; and the Ursuline Convent, which was founded in 1639 and is one of the oldest women’s institutions of learning in the Western Hemisphere.

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