Credit: Wilfredor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Three buildings on Avenue Saint-Denis, Upper Town, were built in the early 18th century with a design blending the English lifestyle and the French architectural tradition

To better protect Quebec, Samuel de Champlain decided to abandon the Habitation in Place Royale and chose a higher and more defendable position on the promontory of Cape Diamond to build Saint-Louis Fort in 1620. This event marked the birth of the Upper Town of Quebec City. Champlain would not have imagined he had laid the foundation for a political, military, and religious center of both the province and the country for much of its 4-century history.

Let’s take a virtual tour of Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Built in 1804, it was the first Anglican cathedral constructed outside of the British Isles. Move your mouse in a circular motion to the front of the church, then click the arrow to enter and tour the parish hall.

Throughout its 400 years of history, Quebec City was often surrounded and attacked by the British in the New French period and the American in the British regime. Thus, the heads of the colonial government were all very focused on building solid military structures to protect the city. Mainly built under the British regime, the defensive system includes a citadel, 4 Martello towers, and a fortification 4.6 km long, all were made of stone.

The Citadel is located atop Cape Diamond, the highest natural point in the area

Martello tower 1 in the Plains of Abraham overlooks St. Lawrence river

Beside visiting the defensive system of Old Quebec, top things to do for tourists include taking a guided tour of the most photographed hotel in the world Château Frontenac, contemplating the vast landscape of St. Lawrence River and the countryside from Dufferin Terrace, and taking a selfie at the Fontaine de Tourny.

The city icon Chateau Frontenac in different seasons

Interested to take a virtual walk around Dufferin Terrace?  Move your mouse in a circular motion, then click the arrow to go up and continue to follow the arrow to discover the place.

Gorgeous view of Chateau Frontenac in summer

And the place turns into a snow castle in a fairy tale in winter