Quebec City Capital Observatory (Observatoire de la Capitale)
The basics
Quebec City Capital Observatory delivers breathtaking views of Quebec City and the surrounding landscapes. While the spectacular panorama is the main attraction, the observatory also offers multimedia exhibits documenting the history of the provincial capital and its landmark buildings. Visitors can prepurchase tickets for the observatory, which can be easily reached by hop-on hop-off tour bus. Some organized day trips from Montreal include tickets to the observatory, as well as stops at Montmorency Falls and free time in Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to know before you go
- Visit the observatory at the start of your trip to help you get oriented with the city.
- Entry is free for children under 6 years old.
- The observatory is wheelchair-accessible.
How to get there
Quebec City Capital Observatory is situated in Édifice Marie-Guyart, a brutalist high-rise in the Saint-Jean Baptiste neighborhood of Quebec City. It is less than a 10-minute walk from St. Louis Gate (Porte St. Louis), one of the historic gateways to Old Quebec.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Check weather updates and go when skies are clear, as low clouds can obscure views. One of the best times of year to visit is the fall when the countryside surrounding the city is ablaze with autumnal colors.
What You Can See from the Observatory
From the observatory, many of Quebec City’s top landmarks are visible. Look for the star-shaped Citadel of Quebec (Citadelle de Quebec), the copper turrets of the Château Frontenac, and the Plains of Abraham, the site of an important 18th-century battle between French and British soldiers. On clear days, the views extend beyond the city to Orleans Island (Île d’Orléans) in the St. Lawrence River and to the peaks of the Laurentian Mountains.
- Plains of Abraham (Plaines d'Abraham)
- Citadel of Quebec (Citadelle de Quebec)
- Fortifications of Quebec National Historic Site
- Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin)
- Upper Town (Haute-Ville)
- Quebec National Museum of Fine Arts (Musée National des Beaux-Arts)
- Saint-Roch
- Museum of Francophone America (Musée de l'Amérique Francophone)
- Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral
- Fort Museum (Musée du Fort)
- Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec)
- Petit Champlain District (Quartier Petit Champlain)
- Quebec Lower Town (Basse-Ville)
- Quebec Royal Square (Place-Royale)
- Port of Quebec (Port de Québec)