Quebec City in spring resembles an open-air museum city. On the banks of the St. Lawrence RiverIn spring, Quebec City reveals its full charm. The streets thaw, the terraces come back to life, the trees bud; the city, still marked by the reliefs of winter, enters a season of rebirth.
The only fortified city in northern Mexico, Quebec stands out for its European character and well-preserved heritage. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is explored on foot, at the pace of the cobblestones, the steep streets and the spiral staircases.
Nestled in the Old Port district, below the historic quarter, is the Auberge Saint-Antoine. Located on the riverfront, just steps from the art galleries, neighborhood cafes, antique shops, and lively restaurants of Saint-Paul Street, the inn enjoys an ideal location. Once you've left your car with the hotel's valet, everything is within walking distance: from the waterfront promenade to the picturesque streets of Petit Champlain, via the funicular that leads to Château Frontenac. The location invites you to stroll, between history and the good life.
A hotel-museum serving comfort
THEAuberge Saint-Antoine is not a hotel like the others. Relais & Châteaux Member, the establishment is built on an archaeological site dating back to the 17th century. Each floor, each corridor displays objects from excavations carried out on site: fragments of porcelain, coins, old bottles... These witnesses of the past tell the story of the city, while integrating into a contemporary, sober and cozy decor.
The inn has 95 rooms and suites, some with private terraces or breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River. The style combines natural materials, light wood, soft fabrics, and understated furniture. The spacious Superior Rooms feature comfortable armchairs, king-size beds, and spacious bathrooms.
The recently renovated spa spans over 600 m². Designed around natural elements beneficial to the skin, it offers a complete experience: Finnish sauna, hammam, experiential showers, cold water pool, relaxation room, and yoga room. Treatments are performed with products from the JB Skin Guru, GM Collin, and Yon-Ka ranges, in a holistic spirit. The signature maple butter massage or the regenerating facial treatment based on boreal plants invite you to let go in an intimate setting.
At Muffy's; a local restaurant by the river
At the heart of the inn, the restaurant Chez Muffy celebrates the richness of Quebec's terroir in a warm setting. Housed in a former 19th-century maritime building, it evokes a chic chalet, all wood, clad in old stone and exposed beams. The evening of our visit, the room gently resonates with the voices of the guests, against a backdrop of French music, from France Gall to Charles Aznavour, which subtly recalls our roots.
Chef Arthur Muller offers a blind tasting menu, in three or seven courses, with the possibility of food and wine pairings, including a vegetarian version. The experience, resolutely sensory, takes us on a journey between unexpected textures and bold combinations. As an amuse-bouche, a delicately poached oyster. Next comes pearly cod, accompanied by sashimi and a Crozes Hermitage 2023 Les Colombiers, then a tender and juicy piece of beef served with a Corbières 2022 by Maxime Magnon. For dessert, a surprising marriage of dark chocolate and mushrooms, softened by a craft red beer, La Lactaire, infused with maple syrup. An inspired table, where each dish tells a story of Quebec, between land and sea, between forest and river.
Right next door, the bar Artifact invites you to continue the evening with a house cocktail, in a subdued atmosphere where a few archaeological remains are enthroned, staged in stone. An elegant way of creating a dialogue between past and present, like a common thread throughout the establishment.
Between nature, culture and history
Quebec City has no shortage of attractions near the Auberge. A short walk takes you to the Plains of Abraham. This vast urban park, a former battlefield between the French and British in 1759, is now a peaceful place for strolling, dotted with lookouts and historic monuments. At this time of year, the lawns turn green, joggers take to the trails, and people come to admire the first buds with family or friends.
A little further, about fifteen minutes away by car, Montmorency Falls offer an impressive spectacle. Standing 83 meters high (about ten meters higher than Niagara Falls), they reach their maximum flow in spring, fueled by snowmelt. A suspension bridge allows visitors to overlook them, while a staircase or cable car leads to their base. The approach via the path opposite, where you literally find yourself at the foot of the wall of water, provides a thrill, reinforced by the incessant roar of the falls.
Finally, for a bucolic getaway, Île d'Orléans is within driving distance. Connected by a bridge to the north shore of the river, this unspoiled island unfolds its rural landscapes, maple groves, orchards, and old houses along a scenic route. It can be circumnavigated in an hour, with gourmet stops at local farms. And everywhere, superb views of Quebec City, seen from the other side of the St. Lawrence River in the golden light of late afternoon.
A haven of peace in the heart of the city
The Auberge Saint-Antoine embodies a certain lifestyle Quebecois; a subtle blend of elegance, memory, gastronomy and well-being. Throughout our travel For those who are Quebecers, this stop in Quebec City was a no-brainer. Its ideal location, its refined comfort, and its ability to tell the city's story in every corner. A precious address, which skillfully combines heritage and modernity, allows you to experience Quebec differently, between contemplation, gentleness, and depth.
Maxime Dobremel
Report and photos
A journey aboard the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC Coupe
