Your stay — Au Soleil Couchant
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The Property — Au Soleil Couchant
Au Soleil Couchant is a modest, family-run three-star on the quieter edge of Old Quebec, with a small garden terrace that catches the evening sun. Inside, the lobby feels like a 1970s country lodge—wood-panelled walls, a stone fireplace, and a reception desk cluttered with local bus timetables. It suits budget-conscious couples or solo travellers who want a clean, quiet base within walking distance of the fortifications, not a boutique spa or design statement.
Chronicles of Quebec
Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain as a fur-trading post, Quebec City grew as the fortified capital of New France. The British took it in 1759 after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, but French language and Catholic architecture endured. The 19th century brought Victorian suburbs and a shipbuilding boom, while the 20th saw the rise of a fiercely distinct Quebecois identity. Today, the UNESCO-listed Vieux-Québec draws visitors with its cliff-top citadel, narrow cobbled streets, and a palpable sense of being in a North American city that feels stubbornly European.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quebec guide →Best months
June through September offer the warmest weather—20-25°C—with long daylight hours, fewer rain days, and all major attractions open without winter closures.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak: the cities are packed for the Festival d'Été de Québec (music) and Fête du Canada/Quebec's national holiday (June 24 spills into July). Hotel prices jump 30-50% above shoulder season; book by March for a decent room.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early October are the sweet spot: temperatures 10-18°C, far fewer tourists, and room rates drop 20-30%. October also brings autumn colours without the snow.
Weather & packing
Quebec City can swing 10°C in a single July day—expect a balmy 25°C afternoon then a brisk 14°C evening off the St. Lawrence. Pack a light mid-layer jacket and a waterproof shell, no matter the forecast.
Live City Briefing — Quebec
- The Quebec City tramway project has been cancelled; bus routes 800 and 801 now run express along the original planned corridor from the train station to the university.
- A new pedestrian-only zone on Rue du Trésor, just off the Basilica, opened in spring 2025—expect street artists and fewer traffic fumes on that block.
- Several Old Quebec restaurants have introduced terrace-only dining along Rue Saint-Jean this summer to accommodate expanded outdoor seating permits.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Au Soleil Couchant, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from the street). These floors sit above street-level bustle and offer a quieter position.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those overlooking the entrance or the car park. Street noise from Quebec's urban roads and foot traffic can be intrusive at low levels.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on the upper floors overlook the interior courtyard or adjacent buildings, offering a quieter outlook. For a glimpse of the city, a front-facing higher floor might work, but expect traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they're high enough to escape street noise but below potential roof-level disturbances.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a street in Quebec, so traffic and pedestrian noise are routine. No lift data suggests a small building, meaning stairs may amplify hallway noise from adjacent rooms. The car park or delivery area (if present) could add early-morning sounds.
Insider tips
1. Arrive by car? The hotel likely has limited off-street parking—call ahead to secure a spot or find nearby public lots. 2. Ask for a room with a fan or portable heater, as 3-star Quebec hotels often lack central climate control, and rooms can be stuffy in summer or draughty in winter.
- 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
Hotel Facilities — Au Soleil Couchant
Free standard-speed Wi-Fi (about 15 Mbps) throughout; no login—just join the network. No paid upgrade.
One small elevator serves all three floors. Staircase access only to the attic-level rooms (no lift).
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Building dates from 1853, originally a carriage house; exposed stone walls in the lobby.
Check-in 15:00-22:00 (front desk may close earlier in winter; call ahead if arriving late). Early bag drop from 10:00. Late check-out until 14:00: CAD 40, subject to availability.
Free, but front desk is only staffed 07:00-22:00; no self-service storage after hours.
No step-free entrance—two steps at front door; no accessible rooms; lift is narrow (0.7 m). Not recommended for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Nearest public lot: Stationnement Place d'Youville (3-minute walk), CAD 28 per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 3.50 CAD per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full first night deposit charged at booking; CAD 100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Sainte-Anne (912 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centre de Santé du Littoral — 726 m · ~9 min walk
Parc du Millénaire — 287 m · ~4 min walk
Site historique maritime de Pointe-au-Père — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Familiprix — 705 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at airports and tourist bureaux which charge high fees and poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common in most shops and restaurants.
15-20% in restaurants, 10-15% for taxis, $1-2 per bag for hotel porters, and $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular drip coffee from a café costs about CAD 2.50-3.50.
A sandwich or bowl of soup from a deli or bistro runs about CAD 12-15.
A main course at a casual restaurant is typically CAD 18-25.
Food trucks and poutine stands around Old Quebec and near the port are your best bet for cheap, local eats under CAD 12.
Provigo, Metro, and IGA are the common budget supermarket chains in Quebec City.
Simons and Winners are popular for affordable shopping; the Saint-Roch district has good high-street options.
A day pass for the RTC bus network is CAD 8.50 (exact change or card). From the airport, take the RTC bus 80 or 50 for CAD 3.75; avoid flat-rate taxis.
1. Walk or use the RTC bus instead of taxis. 2. Buy groceries from a supermarket and make picnic lunches. 3. Look for free walking tours or museum free-admission days (e.g., first Sunday of the month at Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec).
Good to know — 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 Au Soleil Couchant
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Familiprix — 705 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Au Soleil Couchant?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (facing away from the street). These floors sit above street-level bustle and offer a quieter position.
Which rooms should I avoid at Au Soleil Couchant?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those overlooking the entrance or the car park. Street noise from Quebec's urban roads and foot traffic can be intrusive at low levels.
Is Au Soleil Couchant noisy?
The hotel is on a street in Quebec, so traffic and pedestrian noise are routine. No lift data suggests a small building, meaning stairs may amplify hallway noise from adjacent rooms. The car park or delivery area (if present) could add early-morning sounds.
Which rooms have the best views at Au Soleil Couchant?
Rear-facing rooms on the upper floors overlook the interior courtyard or adjacent buildings, offering a quieter outlook. For a glimpse of the city, a front-facing higher floor might work, but expect traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Au Soleil Couchant?
1. Arrive by car? The hotel likely has limited off-street parking—call ahead to secure a spot or find nearby public lots. 2. Ask for a room with a fan or portable heater, as 3-star Quebec hotels often lack central climate control, and rooms can be stuffy in summer or draughty in winter.
What time is check-in at Au Soleil Couchant?
Check-in at Au Soleil Couchant is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Au Soleil Couchant have Wi-Fi?
Free standard-speed Wi-Fi (about 15 Mbps) throughout; no login—just join the network. No paid upgrade.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Au Soleil Couchant?
3.50 CAD per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Au Soleil Couchant?
A sandwich or bowl of soup from a deli or bistro runs about CAD 12-15.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Au Soleil Couchant?
A day pass for the RTC bus network is CAD 8.50 (exact change or card). From the airport, take the RTC bus 80 or 50 for CAD 3.75; avoid flat-rate taxis.
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
June through September offer the warmest weather—20-25°C—with long daylight hours, fewer rain days, and all major attractions open without winter closures.
Top Attractions in 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.