Nestled along the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Québec City enchants visitors with its Old World charm and natural splendour. From natural greenspaces to iconic gardens, the city boasts a rich history of landscape design and reverence for floral beauty. Join us on a botanical journey through Québec City.

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PLACE STE-FOY

Québec City’s very first shopping mall, built in 1957, has been host to several Fleurs de Villes shows over the years. Originally the site of a stand of giant oak trees that were harvested and shipped to England, Place Ste-Foy’s more recently added parkade was designed to represent an “urban forest,” with its exterior clad in stylized oak leaves by architecture firm Coacharcitecture.

From April 17-21, 2024, Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE will make its Canadian debut at Place Ste-Foy – making it our 4th floral show in Québec City! Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE will feature Québec’s talented florists creating incredible fresh floral mannequins. Fleurs de Villes is partnering with Musée National des Beaux Arts du Québec to bring you 15 floral mannequins representing female portraits by great painters through history, all from the museum’s iconic collection.

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NATIVE FLOWERS AND FOLKLORE OF QUÉBEC

Well known for its architecture, Québec City’s landscape is also adorned with a rich array of native flowers, purposefully maintained in the city’s many parks and woodlands. In the spring and summer, look for the provincial flower, the blue flag iris with its striking blue petals, along riverbanks and wetlands. In wooded areas, you may find the delicate three-petalled white trillium, a symbol of purity and endurance. Legend has it that another native flower, the purple coneflower, possesses healing powers, attracting travellers seeking solace and wellness. According to Québec folklore, the vibrant petals of the fireweed foretell the coming of winter, earning it the nickname "frost flower."

TOP PARKS AND GARDENS IN QUEBEC CITY

Considered the “lungs of the city”, the Plains of Abraham is a sprawling mountaintop parkland and former battlefield steeped in history and natural beauty. It was here that the infamous 1759 battle between British General James Wolfe and French General Louis-Joseph Montcalm determined the fate of North America, and where years later the national anthem “O Canada” was first sung, making it one of the most important parks in Canada. Stroll along winding trails lined with wildflowers and towering maple trees, or enjoy a picnic amidst panoramic views of the city skyline. There is a 1.8 kilometre nature trail through the wildest part of the park and an orchard named for Louis Hébert, the first Frenchman to cultivate land in Québec. Québec’s oldest active green houses there produce 150 species of plants and flowers a year. 

Not to be missed is the Joan of Arc Garden, founded in 1938 and named in honour of the trailblazing heroine. Adorned with colourful blooms and tranquil fountains, this picturesque garden invites visitors to pause and reflect. Using a landscaping technique called “Mosaiculture,” or carpet-bedding, raised horticultural drawings and letterings found here are a signature part of the ornamental gardening tradition of Québec.

For a glimpse of Victorian-era English horticulture, wander through the walls of the Jardin des Gouverneurs, next to the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, where meticulously manicured flower beds pay homage to Québec's storied past. Originally conceived as a vegetable garden for the Château Saint-Louis and used by the Governor General of New France, it was opened to the public in 1834 following the castle’s fire. It is also the site where the first sparrows imported from Europe were released in 1868. 

For a short riverside nature walk, head to the Parc de la Plage Jacques Cartier which spans 3.7 km along the shore of the St. Lawrence river, and features beaches and forests of sugar maple and red oak. The park was named in 1992 for the explorer Jacques Cartier who reached the promontory by boat and settled here in the winter of 1540.

Niagara Falls may get all the attention, but Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, just 15 minutes from the city centre, boasts a waterfall that reaches heights of more than 272 feet, which is nearly 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls.

In the Laval University district is the Jardin Botanique Roger-Van den Hende, a breathtaking botanical garden and park where you'll find almost 4,000 different species on display, organized by biological family. Well-maintained walking trails wind through a water garden and broad pergola.

For an immersive botanical experience, venture to Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge on the banks of the St. Lawrence river, where lush gardens and ornamental ponds create a picture-perfect oasis in the heart of the city. Originally the home of Lieutenant Governors, it is now a 24-hectare park that hosts events and floral exhibitions and is home to a maple forest.

For a truly unforgettable experience, visit the Huron Traditional Site, located 15 minutes north of the city, where traditional Indigenous gardens bloom with native flora, preserving centuries-old botanical knowledge and cultural heritage.