Twelve minutes. That’s how long it takes to cross the Saint Lawrence and completely change your perspective on the city of Québec.
The Société des traversiers du Québec operates the Québec-Lévis connection year-round, with frequent departures from Chouinard dock, just steps from the Old Port. The ferry is one of the most pleasant public transports in the world: on board, the view of Château Frontenac and Cap Diamant unfolding is simply breathtaking.
For Québec residents, the ferry is a daily means of transport. For visitors, it is an attraction in itself. Go up to the upper deck in good weather: the river air, the escort of seagulls, and the silhouette of Old Québec fading away create a scene few other cities can offer.
Low cost, regular departures: no excuse not to make the crossing at least once during a stay in Québec.
★ Must-see
Québec-Lévis ferry
A twelve-minute crossing offering one of the most striking urban panoramas in the world. Departures from Chouinard dock, high frequency during the day.
Duration
12 minutes
Operator
STQ
Tip
Best time to cross
At the end of the day, facing west, to watch the sun set over the Plains of Abraham and Cap Diamant. Or at dawn, to catch the first lights warming the gray stones of the Château.
Ideal
Sunset
View
Château Frontenac
Old Lévis
An unknown heritage, an authentic soul
Less touristy than Old Quebec, Lévis’s historic district has a quiet charm and 19th-century architecture to explore at a leisurely pace.
Heritage
Wolfe Street and Saint-Louis Street
The historic heart of Lévis centers around these streets where Victorian houses, stone buildings, and a few neighborhood cafés mingle, seeming unchanged for decades.
Style
Victorian
Atmosphere
Calm & authentic
❖ Must see
Parc des Braves
A green space overlooking the river, with an unobstructed view of Old Quebec across the way. A favorite walking spot for Lévis residents for its calm and unique perspective on the capital.
Type
Urban park
View
Old Quebec
Historic
Notre-Dame Church of Lévis
A beautiful neo-Gothic church that dominates the neighborhood and offers a steeple visible from the river. The interior preserves remarkable decorative elements from the 19th century.
Style
Neo-Gothic
Era
19th century
Lévis gastronomy
South Shore artisans and flavors
The South Shore has been developing a gastronomic and artisanal scene in recent years that’s worth the trip.
★ Artisan
Lévis market
A lively public market where South Shore producers offer their harvests: vegetables, cheeses, jams, artisanal breads, and regional specialty products. A compact farmer’s route.
Type
Public market
Season
May to October
Brewery
Lévis craft brewery
The South Shore has developed its own brewing culture. Local beers with names evoking the river and the maritime history that has shaped this territory for centuries.
Style
Craft beers
Inspiration
Maritime & local
Coffee
Neighborhood cafés in Lévis
Independent roasters and specialty coffee shops have found their niche in the streets of Old Lévis. A coffee route that, all proportions considered, recalls the world of Carrera Café in Petit-Champlain.
Style
Specialty coffee
Atmosphere
Local & relaxed
The breathtaking view
Quebec seen from the other shore
From Lévis, the view of Quebec is unique. Cap Diamant, the Château Frontenac, the steeples: everything takes on a new dimension from the South Shore.
Photographers know: to frame Old Quebec in all its splendor, you need to step back. And the best distance is from the Saint Lawrence.
The Lévis Terrace, set up facing the river, is the perfect place to admire the panorama. At sunset, the stone facades of Château Frontenac and Cap Diamant blaze with a golden light reminiscent of Tuscan atmospheres. A view you never tire of admiring, whether passing through or a longtime resident.
In winter, when the river partially freezes and ice flows by, the spectacle takes on an even wilder and more striking dimension. Nature here is never just a backdrop: it is the protagonist.
Fortified heritage
The forts of Lévis
Lévis has long been a strategic post facing Quebec. Its 19th-century fortifications bear witness to a dense and fascinating military history.
★ HistoricalNational site
Fort no 1 of Lévis
A remarkably preserved Victorian fort, classified as a national historic site. Guided tours take you back to the time when the South Shore served as a defensive counterweight to the Citadel of Quebec. An exciting military circuit.
Classification
National historic site
Era
19th century
Panorama
Lévis Terrace
The riverside promenade set up as a lookout over Old Quebec. Benches, greenery, and the most beautiful facade of the capital to admire at leisure. A must-stop on any visit to Lévis.
View
180° over Quebec
Access
Free
★ Barista tip
The perfect South Shore excursion
Start your day with a strong espresso at Carrera Café in Petit-Champlain, just a few minutes' walk from the Chouinard dock. Take the mid-morning ferry: you avoid the crowds and enjoy ideal light on the river. In Lévis, head up to the Terrasse, explore Old Lévis on foot, and have a local breakfast. Return late afternoon to watch the sun set over the Plains of Abraham from the ferry's upper deck. The perfect day, car-free, with the Saint Lawrence wind in your hair.
The starting point
All adventures start here
Before taking the ferry or exploring Lévis, recharge at Petit-Champlain. A coffee, a platter, and you're off.
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