Provinces and Territories · Drawing 15 of 42
The walls of Old Québec
Québec
In Québec City, tall stone walls still surround the old town. Behind them, Château Frontenac looks like a castle, but it is a hotel!
Look together
Can you find the gate in the stone wall?
An idea to try
Build a wall with blocks, boxes or cushions, then add a gate big enough for a toy to pass through.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
On December 3, 1985, the Historic District of Old Québec was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. According to Parks Canada, 4.6-kilometre ramparts encircle the old city; the City of Québec specifies that it is the best-preserved fortified colonial town north of Mexico. Château Frontenac, a hotel, was built in several stages starting in 1892.
The City notes that the inscription is not just about the walls: it also recognizes Québec’s built heritage and history. Talk with your child about what a wall does (protect, separate) and what a gate allows (going in, going out, welcoming visitors).
Sources and context (3)
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Parks Canada — Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site4.6-kilometre ramparts around the old city, gates and the Citadel.
- City of Québec — The UNESCO monumentInscribed on December 3, 1985; best-preserved fortified colonial town north of Mexico; status not due to the fortifications alone.
- Parks Canada — Château Frontenac National Historic Site of CanadaChâteau-style hotel built in stages from 1892 on the cliff above the St. Lawrence, within the historic district.
Source review: 2026-09-26. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.