Votre séjour — Refuges
Prévisions en direct pour vos dates · Quoi de neuf · Qualité de l'air et pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Quebec.
La propriété — Refuges
Refuges is a compact 3-star in Quebec City's Lower Town, all exposed brick, dark beams and bare floorboards that lean into the city's French-colonial bones. The small lobby smells of woodsmoke and fresh linen, with a working fireplace and a stack of local maps on a chipped oak table. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want proper old-town character rather than chain-hotel amenities. You're two minutes from Rue du Petit-Champlain's cafés, but the street outside is quiet after 9pm.
Chroniques de Quebec
Quebec City was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain as a fur-trading post, making it one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The British took it in 1759 after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, but the French-speaking population kept the character. Its architecture is a visible timeline: stone-walled 17th-century houses in Upper Town, narrow alleyways and steep staircases in Lower Town, and 19th-century mansard roofs from the British era. Today, it's a Unesco World Heritage site where the old walled city functions as a living neighbourhood, not a museum. The contemporary identity is proudly French-Canadian, conservative-leaning in politics but buzzing with winter festivals and a lively food scene.
Meilleur moment pour visiter
Guide complet de Quebec →Meilleurs mois
June and September offer the best balance: 20–25°C days, minimal rain, and the city's summer festivals haven't peaked. Crowds are moderate, and hotel rates sit just under July highs.
Peak / Festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by the Quebec City Summer Festival (FEQ) and the heatwave that sends everyone into Old Quebec. Hotel prices jump 40–60% above shoulder rates; book six months ahead. Winter Carnival in February also spikes prices, though for a very different crowd.
La saison des épaules
Late August and early October give you the best discounts: rooms drop 20–30% from July rates, weather is still pleasant, and the streets are far less crowded. October's foliage adds colour without the summer chaos.
Météo & Emballage
Quebec City's climate is brutally continental—winters deep freeze, summers can hit 30°C with humidity. Pack layers: a fleece and a waterproof shell for cool evenings, even in June.
Briefing de la ville — Quebec
- The Lower Town funicular (linking Rue du Petit-Champlain to Dufferin Terrace) will be closed for maintenance from late May to mid-June, so check if it's back online before your trip; if not, the Côte de la Montagne stairs are your steep alternative.
- The new 'Grand Marché' food hall opened in the Saint-Roch neighbourhood in spring 2025, offering a proper alternative to tourist-trap restaurants—worth the 15-minute walk from Old Quebec.
- Quebec City's summer festival (FEQ) runs 8–18 July; expect street closures around the Plains of Abraham and heavy traffic in the walled city on weekend evenings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Refuges, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the ground floor (floor 1) in the wheelchair-accessible section for easier access and minimal narrow doorway issues.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms in the historic section, as the narrow doorways may limit large chair mobility.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's location on Rue Saint-Jean does not offer scenic views, but rooms on the higher floors (2-4) may provide a glimpse of the surrounding historic buildings.
Quietest floors
Floor 1 (ground floor) is likely the quietest, as it's closest to the street entrance and has less chance of noise from the lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise on Rue Saint-Jean, which can be lively at night, especially during peak tourist season.
Insider tips
Don't forget to validate your parking ticket at the Garage Place d'Youville before leaving, as the fee will be refunded. Request a room in the wheelchair-accessible section to ensure a smooth and hassle-free stay.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hôtel Facilités — Refuges
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 50 Mbps; no login required—just select 'Refuges' network
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to La Presse and The Globe and Mail via tablet at check-in; no physical papers
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 without fee; late check-out until 12:00 subject to availability, fee of CAD 30
Complimentary luggage storage at front desk for same-day arrivals and departures
Step-free access via ramp at side entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms on ground floor; narrow doorways in historic section may limit large chairs
No on-site parking; valet parking not available; nearest public car park is Garage Place d'Youville (250 m, CAD 25/night); no EV charging
Frais, taxes et dépôts
City / tourist tax: CAD 3.50 per person per night, mandatory for all guests
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; CAD 100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Monnaie & Monnaie
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Best to use ATMs for cash; avoid airport and tourist-area exchange bureaux for poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay common. American Express less so.
15-20% at restaurants (pre-tax), $1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Manger, faire du shopping et voyager sur un budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a café or diner, around $2-3 CAD.
A sandwich or bowl of soup from a café, about $10-14 CAD.
Poutine or a simple bistro main, roughly $15-20 CAD.
Food trucks and stalls around Old Quebec and the Plains of Abraham in summer; look for poutine and crêpes.
Provigo, Metro, IGA, and Maxi for budget.
Galeries de la Capitale and Laurier Québec mall for high-street chains; Simons for well-priced basics.
Day pass on RTC bus system around $9 CAD; from airport take bus route 78 for $3.75 or Uber/cab ~$35.
Eat lunch out instead of dinner (set menus cheaper); use the funicular between Old Upper and Lower Town one way; buy Quebec City museum pass for multiple sites at discount.
Bon à savoir — Quebec
Type A/B · 120V
safe
$1 ≈ C$1.42 · CAD
Emergency Contacts
QuebecWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Quebec, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Refuges
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →S’entourer
Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) → Chauveau Ouest & St-Louis
💡 Get off at St-Louis & Chauveau Ouest, then walk 6 minutes. Exact change required; buy a reloadable RFID card at the airport kiosk for easier transfers.
Gare du Palais (train station) → Auberge La Goéliche
💡 This express bus runs along Boulevard Charest then up Henri-IV. Sit on the left side for river views near the end. Off-peak runs can be 10 min late.
Montreal Central Station → Gare du Palais, Québec City
💡 Buy economy tickets 14 days ahead for the best price. From Gare du Palais, catch RTC #801 or take a 20-min Uber to the hotel.
Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) → Auberge La Goéliche
💡 Book a flat-rate taxi through the airport's official booth to avoid surge pricing. Tipping 10–15% is standard.
Questions fréquemment posées
What are the best rooms at Refuges?
Request a room on the ground floor (floor 1) in the wheelchair-accessible section for easier access and minimal narrow doorway issues.
Which rooms should I avoid at Refuges?
Avoid rooms in the historic section, as the narrow doorways may limit large chair mobility.
Is Refuges noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise on Rue Saint-Jean, which can be lively at night, especially during peak tourist season.
Which rooms have the best views at Refuges?
Unfortunately, the hotel's location on Rue Saint-Jean does not offer scenic views, but rooms on the higher floors (2-4) may provide a glimpse of the surrounding historic buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Refuges?
Don't forget to validate your parking ticket at the Garage Place d'Youville before leaving, as the fee will be refunded. Request a room in the wheelchair-accessible section to ensure a smooth and hassle-free stay.
What time is check-in at Refuges?
Check-in at Refuges is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Refuges have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 50 Mbps; no login required—just select 'Refuges' network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Refuges?
CAD 3.50 per person per night, mandatory for all guests
Where can I eat cheaply near Refuges?
A sandwich or bowl of soup from a café, about $10-14 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Refuges?
Day pass on RTC bus system around $9 CAD; from airport take bus route 78 for $3.75 or Uber/cab ~$35.
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
June and September offer the best balance: 20–25°C days, minimal rain, and the city's summer festivals haven't peaked. Crowds are moderate, and hotel rates sit just under July highs.
Principales attractions à Quebec
💡 Come at dusk for the free sound-and-light show on the square's buildings (projected on walls, May–October, starts at 9:00 PM).
💡 Visit on a free Sunday but get there by 10:00—queue forms fast. The permanent First Peoples exhibition is top-notch.
💡 Skip the main tourist drag on Rue Saint-Jean—cut into the side alleys like Rue des Jardins for quieter spots and cheaper cafes.
💡 Go early morning to avoid crowds and see the mist over the St. Lawrence. Free guided tours run in summer but you need to book online.
💡 Take the 800 bus from downtown (€3.50) instead of a tour. Walk down the staircase on the east side—less crowded and better photos. Free to enter the park.