One of the most famous hotels in Canada, and a National Historic Site, the Château Frontenac has been a landmark in Quebec City for over 125 years.

The building remains a premier hotel to this day with over 600 rooms available. Whether or not you wish to spend the night you can visit and explore some of the historic venue.

 

Le Château Frontenac Hotel

Located in the famous and culturally-important area of Old Quebec, the Château Frontenac has an easy to remember address of 1 Rue des Carrières. The building was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1982.

The hotel is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. Standing on the Cap Diamant, the increased elevation of the Château Frontenac over some of the surrounding area only adds to its majesty. Different websites claim it is the most photographed hotel in the world. Although that is something quite hard to confirm, it gives you an idea of its popularity.

 

 

The History of the Hotel

The Château Frontenac was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. It was part of a series of luxury hotels set along the new transcontinental railway. Hoping to entice rich travelers, the Château Frontenac was styled after the design of classic French castles. The hotel got its name from Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, who was the governor of New France in the late 17th century.

The hotel’s large central tower was added in 1924. This for a short time made the Château Frontenac the tallest building in Quebec City (at 77 metres). That mark was passed in 1930, however, by the Édifice Price (82 metres), the first skyscraper in the city.

Further renovations took place in 1993 (when a pool, fitness centre and more outdoor areas were added) and in 2011 after the hotel was purchased by Ivanhoé Cambridge. After this change in ownership there was massive amounts of work done on the building. This included replacing the roof and many of the individual rooms.

 

A Famous Setting

The Château Frontenac has had a distinguished guest list over the years. Dignitaries include the British Royal Family, Grace Kelly and Charles Lindbergh among many others. The hotel was also the site of the two Quebec Conferences, critical meetings of the Allied leaders during World War II.

In addition, the building has served as the setting for a few films. The most notable one is Alfred Hitchcock’s I Confess. In the 21st century it was the backdrop for both Taking Lives and Blizzard.

 

Visiting the Château

The Château Frontenac is well-worth visiting for not just its historical significance, but also its beauty. A number of towers and turrets decorate the outside of the building which is mostly made of stone. The exterior looks like it could be a castle straight out of a movie (which as detailed above, it kind of is).

The decor on the inside is warm and features a lot of wood paneling. Even if you aren’t a guest you are allowed to visit the lobby of the hotel which includes a collection of various artifacts that date back centuries. Also inside the building is the 1608 Wine & Cheese Bar which is a highly-rated place to get some drinks and local cheeses with a view.

There are multiple companies that offer tours of the hotel and the surrounding area. Two of them are Cicérone Tours and Viator. You can check out their websites if you’re looking for a guided tour.

 

 

Other Places and Information

For more information about the hotel, visit the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac website.

Other similar hotels in cities on the other side of Canada include the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Empress Hotel in Victoria. They are also castle-like hotels.

There are plenty of other attractions near the Château Frontenac that are worth your time. After a visit to the hotel, here are some other places you can check out:

• Old Quebec – the rest of the neighbourhood that surrounds the Château Frontenac is equally historic. The area was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The district of Old Quebec is the only remaining walled city north of Mexico and there are plenty of shops and sights to take in. It’s a great place to have a stroll and explore.
• Saint-Louis Forts and Château National Historic Site – located under Dufferin Terrace just a 2-minute walk from the Château Frontenac. This archaeological crypt welcomes visitors in the summer. Guided tours are available as you pass by remains of the multiple forts and other buildings built on the site centuries ago.
• Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral – the oldest church in the entire country. Its ornate interior design makes this a spot well worth visiting for both those who are religious and those who just love architecture. Like the crypt, the church is just a 2 or 3-minute walk from the Château Frontenac.
• The Museum of Civilization – one of the most popular museums in Canada. It’s located about a 10-minute walk from the Château Frontenac. There are often interactive and multi-media displays and the exhibits can sometimes cover the stories of Quebec in some more abstract ways.