From Footsteps : Exploring Quebec City's Diverse Tours

The more you know about history, the more you realize there’s a vast world of fascinating stories and unique perspectives to explore. As a local tour guide, I’ve had the privilege of meeting fellow guides and friends who specialize in specific subjects or have their own distinctive approaches to guiding. Quebec City, with over 400 years of colonial history intertwined with the rich heritage of the First Nations, is a city where it’s easy to get carried away in the best way!

While my tours take you into the heart of this history with fun facts, I also believe in the power of collaboration and community. That’s why I use this platform not only to showcase my own tours (though they are memorable experiences and top rated, I promise I’ll stop with the cheap publicity 😄), but also to highlight the incredible experiences offered by fellow guides.

In the world of tour guides, we often work alone. There are many companies, many entrepreneurs, and many ways of doing things… but despite the competition, we are all part of the same community.

Yes, there is competition and that’s healthy. But there are enough visitors for everyone, and it always makes me happy to know they’ve chosen a good guide or a company that genuinely cares about the city.

For my part, I will continue to promote certified guides, whether locals or newcomers, as long as they approach this profession with passion, not just a business model where someone, somewhere, makes money off clients or guides without giving back. Someone somewhere else who dont really care about the tour as long as tour guide give them money back even their tips. Tourism works best when everything is clear, honest, and respectful :): the visitor knows what they’re getting, the guide is recognized for their work, and no one hides behind a logo or a concept. We don’t just follow an umbrella. We follow someone who knows their city and truly loves sharing it. And this is the most important. Everytime I do a tour I feel like im still in love with this city and the history.

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Hq Services Touristiques

One of my friends and colleagues, Émilie Pelletier, owns this company, and she is one of the youngest yet most entrepreneurial leaders in the industry. If you’re looking for excellent walking tours, or if you’re planning to bring Spanish-speaking groups and need high-quality tours, she works with a strong team of certified tour guides.

She also offers what the most complete food tour in Quebec City. This isn’t about a few small tastings it’s a full culinary experience, perfect for a special occasion, a fancy outing, or simply for people who truly want to eat their way through the city. Visiting in winter? She also own a company that offers probably the most complete full winter clothing rental package and it's deliver to your hôtel for your trip. No more struggling to fit boots, and five layers into your suitcase your back will thank you. Want to rent and travel like a local without looking like a walking marshmallow? Location vêtements d’hiver to rent it :the link 

Also! In summer time she offer convenient solution for storing your bags while exploring Quebec City post-checkout or pre-train departure? Look no further than her office on rue Saint Paul. For a small fee, you can securely leave your belongings, freeing yourself to wander the city without the burden of luggage. It's the perfect hassle-free solution for making the most of your time.

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Nomad tours Québec Who is Marie-Pierre Lessard?

Marie Pierre is more than just a colleague; she's a dynamic force in the world of tour guiding. Starting our walking tour journeys around the same time, she created her own company, Nomad Tours, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit. While she excels in step-on guiding for bus tours, or on custom tour but her expertise truly shines when leading explorations on foot through our city's rich history.

Marie Pierre's passion for storytelling and deep knowledge of our town's history make her tours not only informative but also incredibly engaging. We do once a while work together for school group and the client is always satisfied. She helped me over the year and we improved ours skill by sharing our knowledge.

When my schedule is packed or I'm fully booked, she's my go-to recommendation for private tours. I know she'll ensure clients have a memorable experience. Beyond guiding, she is good on social media management too a valuable asset for anyone seeking to boost their online presence. She did somes amazing job during the pandemic .She worked also on many website over ther years.

In a field where we mostly work alone, Marie Pierre is not just a colleague but also a friend and trusted professional whose dedication to her customer and clients is truly inspiring. ---

Tours Accolade  (from finding your roots to tour of old Lévis)

Every now and then, travelers share with me tales of their ancestry tracing back to France or the brave Filles du Roy who shaped Quebec's history. It's remarkable how many across the United States can find a link to Quebec in their family tree. While I can trace my lineage back to the Filles du Roy through my father's side (Anne Guillaume), I wouldn't call myself an expert on the matter (I wish!) That's where my friend Xavier Chambolle tour comes in.

Xavier offers a unique tour experience, collaborating with French-Canadian genealogist Kim Kujawski to unearth your family's roots in North America. If your ancestors hailed from europe, this personalized tour is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to delve into your family history. So, if you're planning a family gathering in Quebec and yearn to rediscover your familial past, Xavier's tour is a truly special idea. It may require him and Kim some effort, but the payoff is undoubtedly worth the price of that custom tour.

Beyond genealogy, Xavier hosts a variety of themed tours and delivers a great overview of Québec City’s history, highlighting the moments and sites you really shouldn’t miss.

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Urban Horizon

fun tour with Jean-Simon

I met Jean-Simon last summer, in 2025. He’s a brand-new guide, but very much a local — with a backpack full of travel experience to match. Young, motivated, and already doing a great job, he clearly takes the work seriously.

When you meet him, you can tell right away he’s a hard-working guide and someone you’ll probably see often while you’re in Québec City. Friendly, respectful, and easy to talk to, he creates a great atmosphere on his tours.

He mainly offers tours during the summer season, as winter usually finds him back on the road, traveling and adding new stories to that backpack.

Djany Poulin tour guide

Fun guide for tailored tour

My friend Djanny is an experienced local guide who is comfortable leading both group and private visits, adapting easily to different groups and expectations. Always smiling and approachable, she creates a warm and engaging atmosphere for visitors. Living just steps from Old Québec, she has an in-depth, authentic knowledge of the city and shares it with the perspective of a true local!

Explore Québec tour with Marie Côté Tour with the teacher of next generation! Marie Côté is guide and also a teacher at St. Lawrence School (one of the two schools here to get our licensed), she is literally the person who trains the next generation of tour guides, which speaks volumes about her experience and professionalism. She is one of the few guides who consistently takes visitors beyond the Old Québec walls, regularly leading tours in authentic neighborhoods such as Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Limoilou, and other local districts. One of the key advantages of touring with her is that she teaches her students the mistakes guides should never make—so with her, everything is smooth, accurate, and worry-free :)! She also offer formation and training via AGTQ (Professional tour guide association in Québec city)

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Quebec history X

In the grand mosaic of history, there are often missing pieces...forgotten stories and silenced voices waiting to be uncovered.I want to speak to you about a collegue named Ali, also known as Webster.During my time as a student at Mérici, I met Ali, who was also an actual historian and had a passion for uncovering the forgotten parts of Quebec's history.

Ali went on a mission to shed light on the untold narratives of Quebec's black presence, from New France to the present day. Through his company, Quebec History X, he leads tours that get into the complexities of slavery during colonial times while also celebrating the often-forgotten figures who shaped Quebec's history.

In a world where some prefer to ignore uncomfortable truths, Ali bravely confronts the past, emphasizing that true history enthusiasts embrace every aspect of our shared narrative. Besides leading tours, Ali's commitment to education and entertainment extends to his work as a rapper . You might catch him once a while on Quebec television or at a concert, where his presence is as vibrant as his laugh.

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And rest assured, his infectious laughter will leave you with a smile. He doesn't do his tour often but you can contact him!

Tour voir Québec Tour Voir Québec has built something solid over time. They’ve been around for a long while (like alot), and it shows in the diversity and quality of their guides. Many of them are genuinely excellent passionate, professional, and deeply connected to Québec City (yes Christian, you know you’re one of them). These are people who care about the city, about history, and about doing things properly. That is the important part when you do a walking tour!

With Francis Pichette joining the ownership team, the atmosphere also feels more open and constructive. He’s clearly someone with drive, ideas, and momentum the kind of energy that can only be a plus during a transition like this. You can sense that things are moving in the right direction.

It’s fair to say they’re on a good path. And if this trajectory continues, 2026 might well mark a new chapter for Tour Voir Québec.A positive one! They have often regular tours everyday of the week! If you want to book with them you can go here

Cicerone tour Fun fact: before becoming a tour guide myself (15 years ago in a class), I actually joined a few walking tours in Québec City to understand what the job was really about. That’s how I met Steeve Gaudreault, the former owner of Cicerone, along with several of their guides. I was genuinely impressed not just by their level of knowledge, but by how much fun the job could be when done right. It was really one of the first step for me of thinking of it :) !

Cicerone offers a variety of tours, often with guides dressed as characters or actively playing a role. It’s a very theatrical, storytelling-driven approach. They’re also the only tour company authorized to guide inside the Château Frontenac, which is no small thing. If you enjoy themed tours and a more playful way of discovering history, they might just be a great fit for you. If you plan to take their Château Frontenac tour, keep in mind that it’s a working hotel. Some days you’ll see a bit more, some days a bit less — that’s just part of the deal. Either way, you’ll come away with great stories and a solid understanding of the history behind this iconic place. And when possible, the guides will always show you as much as they can that’s the important part. If you were planning to do a history tour of the Frontenac Castle  I’ve got 10% off the tour for my clients! Just use the code SDTour10 when booking at cicerone .

-- Private tour with chauffeur

Lenny Expeditions

I met Lénaïc Jean, the guide behind Lenny Expeditions, and he’s super active on social media and always ready to help people plan their trips. He offers private, personalized tours in Québec City and the surrounding areas, including historic walking tours of the upper and lower towns, visits to Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans, and customizable experiences tailored to your interests. Whether you want history, culture, or just a fun day exploring, Lénaïc can be your private guide!

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Ghost tour!

In Quebec City, the ghost tour scene offers a chilling yet amusing exploration of its historical past. With two main tours company

in town (maybe more but I know 2 for sure), one featuring lantern-lit strolls (Ghost tour of Quebec) and the other with guides wearing friendly ghost attire (les promenades fantômes), there's something for every ghost enthusiast. While I've only experienced the lantern tour multiple times, its winding paths and carefully selected stories never fail to captivate. As a tour guide myself i was quite impress.They tend to be a little bit more serious and well details on the past event. The end of the tour is amazing..

And let's not forget the delight of encountering guides with painted faces, who effortlessly entertain both young and old.I see them once a while on tour . Their approach is humorous theatrics, these tours promise an unforgettable journey into Quebec City's spectral past. While I've yet to experience this side of the ghost tours , I've witnessed the joyous faces of those who have. Rest assured, it's on my list of must-tries. No need to wait for halloween to enjoy a ghost tour.

Food tours Ah, Quebec cuisine... some people, they think it's all about poutine and maple syrup. Others, they come here looking for fancy French stuff, like the perfect baguette.While we have both! Quebec food scene, it's more then that! You've got to taste it to believe it. So, why not hop on a food tour? You can enjoy a walk while learning all about the local ingredients and quirky traditions that make our food great. Check out these companies offering food tours, and let the culinary adventure begin. HQ services touristique with their 5* complete gourmet tour of Old-Quebec or Local Québec City Food Tours to explore the city and taste it at many stops!

There are loads of guides in the city, each with their own specialties and strengths, but I won't bore you with all the details. Many of them are part of the AGTQ (Association des guides touristiques de Québec), which promotes certified tour guides. Right now, there are over 250 members (including myself) ! To be a tour guide in Quebec city you need to follow rules and a class that lead you to get the permit for guiding in this Unesco heritage city.

If you're keen on exploring on a budget, you can also check out Parks Canada, which offers some awesome, wallet-friendly tours of key historical locations, especially in the summer. Or, if you're looking for a more personalized experience, you gotta meet Djanny! She's also your go-to for tailored, top-notch tours in and around the city too.

I've just scratched the surface and showed some of the lesser know or simply my friends. Whether you're into food adventures, architectural marvels, or cultural escapades, trust me, there's something out there for everyone.

You never did a walking tour before?

You can start with my tours I will do my best to make it an highlight of your trip! If you are here for many day you could explore the others to complete your experience. If im not free, there good chance I will refer you to one of these tour guide! Each guide has their own specialty and unique style. Somes more academic somes more into humor. While history stays the same, the goal is to ensure you learn while enjoying your vacation.Local tour guide offer deeper local knowledge that guides who don't live here might not totally fully possess. When I say that, I mean those step-on guides who pop in once a year by bus with group somes might still think we can see a Nordique hockey game and enjoy the old port market ! (both gones) One thing is for sure: I highly recommend anybody taking a walking tour while you’re here. Otherwise, you might miss out on experiences that could greatly enhance your trip. Try it and you will never want to travel again without doing a walking tour!