I went to Quebec City and felt like I'd jetted off to Europe without leaving North America

With its cobblestone streets, French-speaking population, and historic architecture, Quebec City could be an ideal alternative for a European trip.

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Mar 11, 2025 - 15:03
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I went to Quebec City and felt like I'd jetted off to Europe without leaving North America
The author sits on a window sill overlooking Québec City
Quebec City is reminiscent of European cities, according to Business Insider's travel reporter.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I went to Quebec City in August 2022. It's a historic French city with a European feel. 
  • Then, I visited four European countries for the first time: Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.
  • The streets and buildings of Quebec City felt similar to places I visited in Europe. 

With narrow, cobblestone streets, European-inspired architecture, and a primarily French-speaking population, Quebec City feels like a European paradise. 

I spent 24 hours in the 400-year-old French-Canadian city in August 2022. Back then, I hadn't explored enough of Europe to decide if Quebec City felt like other countries across the Atlantic.

But after visiting Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany two months later, the comparison was clear.

Quebec City is over 400 years old, making it one of the oldest cities in Canada.
Québec in the 1800s and 2022.
Quebec in the 1800s and 2022.

The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images; Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The city, which sits on the St. Lawrence River, was founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, according to the city's website.

Quebec City is on the eastern edge of the Canadian province of Quebec.
A map of the Northeastern coast of North America with arrows pointing to New York and Quebec City
The reporter traveled to Quebec City from New York City.

Arrows point to Québec City and New York City.

I traveled by train from Montreal to Quebec City, but my flight home to New York City took less than two hours — much shorter than a trip to Europe. My direct flight from NYC to Berlin was nearly eight hours long when I visited in October 2022.

I spent most of my time in Old Quebec, a neighborhood with preserved French and British colonial architecture.
A street in Old Québec.
A street in Old Quebec.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

During my visit, I spotted many of these simple, rectangular buildings with decorative shutters.

I wandered down Old Quebec's photogenic streets and spotted rows of colorful buildings.
A composite image of quaint, colorful streets in Québec and Switzerland.
Vibrant architecture in Quebec City (left) and Zurich (right).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A few months later, in Zurich, I saw blocks I thought looked similar to those in Quebec City. Streets in both cities were lined with vibrant shops and restaurants.

Many of the streets in Old Quebec were made of cobblestone.
Cobblestone streets in Old Québec viewed from above
Cobblestone streets in Old Quebec.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

They looked like the roads I saw in all four European countries I visited.

I also noticed most signs were written in French.
French signage in Québec City.
French signage in Quebec City.

Joey Hadden/Insider

That's because about 84% of the population of Quebec speaks French, according to the Government of Canada.

English wasn't the primary language spoken in any of the European countries I visited, either.
A sign for gondola rides in Venice, Italy.
A sign for gondola rides in Venice, Italy.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Most of the signs I saw abroad were written in German or Italian.

While some streets in Quebec City were wide, others were quite narrow.
A composite image of narrow alleyways in Quebec City and Rome.
Narrow streets in Quebec City (left) and Rome (right).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Later, in Rome and Venice, Italy, I stumbled upon alleys that reminded me of the narrow streets in Quebec.

After my trip to Europe, I also realized my hotel in Quebec City, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, was similar to those I saw abroad.
Streets near Fairmont in Quebec City
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought it was the most stunning building, which makes sense as, according to the World Atlas, it's known as the most photographed hotel in the world.

It was a dramatic castle-like structure.
Fairmont hotel in Quebec
The hotel's exterior.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The hotel opened in 1893 and was inspired by romantic architecture and French castles.

The hotel looked like something out of a fairy tale, with elaborate landscaping and old-world architecture.
A composite images of old-world buildings behind gardens in Quebec City and Vienna
Fairy tale landscapes in Quebec City (left) and Austria (right).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I had a similar feeling while strolling through gardens next to historic buildings in Vienna.

Inside, I thought my hotel room was small, but the view out the window was grand.
The author perches on the window sill in the hotel room
The reporter in her hotel room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I perched on the windowsill and marveled at the European architecture surrounding me.

I also saw Quebec City Hall, which was inspired by the Second Empire.
Québec City Hall, a national historic site in Canada.
Quebec City Hall, a national historic site in Canada.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It was built in a European style with prominent rooftops, according to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

I spotted the same style of architecture in Viennese buildings like Schönbrunn Palace.
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This architectural style is known as Second Empire Baroque.

Additionally, old-world cathedrals in Quebec City, like Notre Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral, reminded me of those I later saw in Europe.
Notre Dame cathedral in Québec City
Notre Dame Cathedral in Quebec City

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral has a Neoclassical style, with towers and stained-glass detailing.

I saw a lot of Neoclassical architecture all around Rome, too, like at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

After visiting Quebec City and places in Europe, I found that they're not exactly the same, but they're pretty close.
Buildings in Quebec City
Buildings in Old Quebec.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

If you're looking for a European adventure that's closer to home without the pricey flight and jet lag, I think Quebec City is a good alternative.

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