Take the opportunity to enjoy a free guided tour of Québec’s magnificent Parliament Building (Hôtel du Parlement). The grand structure houses the National Assembly and the provincial legislature, and is set amid an attractive area of gardens, monuments and walkways. For more than a century it has been perched at the top of Parliament Hill.
Wander through the grounds and explore the urban garden in front of the Hôtel du Parlement. It supports 130 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs including strawberries, blueberries, peas and medicinal plants. The idea behind the gardens is to inspire the public to grow their own produce. Stop by some of the statues of former premiers of Québec and sit by the Fontaine de Tourny, an attractive water feature with carved figurines and 43 jets. Half-hour tours include the art-rich National Assembly Chamber where the province’s elected members sit. You can attend a sitting of the National Assembly if you book ahead.
Seek out some lofty views of the city from the Observatoire de la Capitale on the 31st floor of the Marie-Guyart Building, which is less than five minutes’ walk from the Parliament Building. At 725 feet (221 metres), this is the highest point in Québec City. The ticket price includes a multimedia presentation of the city’s history with touchscreen terminals and 3-D imagery.
Come back to the hill at night to see the facade of the Hôtel du Parlement and the fountain illuminated by colored floodlights. This accentuates the building’s 26 bronze statues of significant people in Québec’s history.
Parliament Hill is situated in the borough of La Cité-Limoilou and is served by several bus routes. There is no public car parking at the Parliament Building, but there are metered parking lots and garages at some of the nearby buildings, including the Convention Centre (Centre des Congrès). For details about the parliament’s sitting schedule, visit Québec’s National Assembly website.
