General Information

Churches

Cruises

From May to October each year, more than twenty different cruise lines dock at the Port of Québec. These ships bring over 100,000 passengers and crew eager to explore Old Québec and the majestic Château Frontenac on foot. For more information, see the Cruises section.

Electricity

Québec's electrical current is 60 cycles, 110 volts. An adapter is needed for electrical appliances using another type of current, such as the 220-volt European system.

Emergency

For any type of medical emergency:

Health Infoline
(daily, 24 hours/day, answering service provided by qualified nurses)
811

Enfant-Jésus Hospital
1401, 18e Rue, Québec
418-649-5555

Hôtel-Dieu Hospital
Côte du Palais, Vieux-Québec
418-691-5042

Jeffery Hale Hospital
1250, chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec
418-684-5333

Saint-François d'Assise Hospital
10, rue de l'Espinay, Québec
418-525-4388

Saint-Sacrement Hospital
1050, chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec
418-682-7515

Laval University Hospital (C.H.U.Q.)
2705, boulevard Laurier, Sainte-Foy
418-654-2114

Poison Control Center
(daily, 24 hours/day)
418-656-8090, 1-800-463-5060

Tel-Aide Crisis Center
(open every day: anxiety, emotional crisis, depression)
418-686-2433

Dentist
418-666-4363
7 days a week and statutory holidays.

Other 24 hour/day emergencies:
Police, fire and ambulance 911

Québec Provincial Police
(Sûreté du Québec)
418-623-6262 or 310-4141
(anywhere in the province of Québec)

Free wireless Internet connection

Thanks to ZAP Québec, the Québec region has several access points throughout the city.

Gratuities

With very few exceptions, tips are not included in the final tabulation of restaurant bills. Tips are usually 15% of the total bill, excluding taxes. Cab drivers, bellhops and hairdressers are usually tipped at the customer's discretion.

Health care and services

For visitors needing adapted health care or short-term respite services.

Language

French is the official language of Québec but English is widely spoken in tourist areas (attractions, hotels, restaurants and boutiques in tourist areas).

Liquor laws

The legal drinking age in Québec is 18.

Bars and other licensed establishments are open Monday through Sunday until 3 am.

Liquor and most wines are only sold in stores operated by the Société des alcools du Québec (Québec Liquor Board). However, some wines and all Canadian beers are available in grocery stores and supermarkets, from 8 am to 11 pm.

Certain restaurants display « apportez votre vin » signs (« bring your own wine »). This means customers may enjoy their own wine and beer during the meal.

Lodging tax

A tax is payable on every lodging unit rented within the Québec tourist region. The tax is 3.5% per night if the visitor pays for lodging himself on site but $3.50 per night if the payment is made through a travel agency.

Metric conversion

Canada uses the metric system. Visitors find weather temperature reports given in Celsius degrees, gasoline sold by the litre (milk and wine by millilitres, and litres) grocery items in grams and kilograms, and road speeds posted in kilometres per hour.

Money

Canadian and American dollars are not at par. American currency is accepted in most establishments at variable exchange rates.

Legal tender is the Canadian dollar, which divides into 100 cents. Bills come in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. The coins in use are of the following denominations: 5, 10 and 25 cents, as well as one and two dollars.

On arrival, visitors should obtain Canadian currency at the official exchange rate in order to avoid problems.

There are also currency exchange bureaus in Old Québec.

No smoking regulations

The Tobacco Law forbids smoking in all public buildings, including bars and restaurants.

Peak season and spring break

Peak season is from May to October and in February, during the Québec Winter Carnival. Many resorts are located near the ski centres and the peak season runs from mid-December to March inclusively.

Spring break in Québec City is usually the first week of March.

Postal service

Canadian postage stamps must be used to mail letters and postcards from Canada.

Post offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. During their business hours, drugstores, convenience stores and the like also offer postal services including the purchase of stamps. The telephone number for postal information is 1-800-267-1177.

There is a post office and a philatelic counter in Old Québec at 5, rue du Fort, near the Château Frontenac.

Québec statutory holidays

Most banks, businesses and government offices are closed on the following legal holidays:

• New Year's (January 1 and 2)
• Good Friday (March or April)
• Easter Monday (March or April)
• Victoria Day (second to last Monday in May)
• Québec National Holiday (June 24)
• Canada Day (July 1)
• Labour Day (first Monday in September)
• Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October)
• Christmas Day (December 25 and 26)

Shopping hours

Most businesses, including shopping centres, are open as follows:

Monday to Wednesday: 9:30 am. to 5:30 pm
Thursday and Friday: 9 am to 9 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm (some merchants may only open at noon)

Business hours are usually longer in December and in tourist areas.

Stores are usually closed during statutory holidays, but certain merchants (supermarkets, SAQ outlets, etc.) may remain open.

Student exchanges

As the cradle of French civilization in America, Québec City often plays host to English-speaking students who come to Québec for immersion in a predominantly French-speaking society.

To organize educational visits or student exchanges with local partners, contact Québec City Tourism for a list of schools offering such projects and for advice on how to set up exchanges.

Taxes

The federal tax on goods and services (GST) is 5% and applies to most goods and services in Canada. The provincial sales tax (PST) is 9.975% and is charged on the selling price not including the federal tax and applies to most goods and services purchased in Québec.

The PST visitor's rebate program is no longer in effect.

Time zone

Daylight Saving Time (DST) comes into effect every year on the second Sunday in March when all timepieces are advanced by one hour. Canada reverts to Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the first Sunday in November when clocks are set back one hour.

Weather and climate

What to wear

In spring and summer, a light sweater or coat sometimes comes in handy on cool evenings. In winter, warm clothes, gloves and warm snow boots or overshoes are necessary. Québec is a walking city, so comfortable shoes are a must.