Your stay — L'art de vivre
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & 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.
The Property — L'art de vivre
L'art de vivre is a straightforward three-star hotel in Quebec City's lower town, close to the Gare du Palais train station. The lobby is small and clean with parquet floors and a reception desk where staff hand you a tangible key. It suits budget-conscious visitors who want a reliable base within walking distance of Old Quebec, not a boutique experience or frills.
Chronicles of Quebec
Founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608, Quebec City is one of North America's oldest European settlements. Its architecture is distinctly French-colonial in the upper town and industrial in the lower town, where the hotel sits. The fortified walls—a UNESCO World Heritage site—separate the 17th-century stone buildings from modern developments. Today the city is a bilingual hub of North American French culture, known for its winter carnival, summer festivals, and fiercely preserved heritage.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quebec guide →Best months
June to early September offer the warmest weather (averaging 20°C) and the longest daylight hours, ideal for walking the old town without biting cold. July is peak summer but crowds are manageable outside festival dates.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak month, driven by the Festival d'Été de Québec (early July) and Canada Day on 1 July. Hotel prices double from June rates and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
Late May or mid-September are shoulder months with hotel rooms 20-30% cheaper, milder temperatures (12-18°C), and thinner crowds. Autumn colours start in late September.
Weather & packing
Quebec City can swing from 15°C to 30°C in a day, and sudden rain is common. Pack layers—a light waterproof jacket and a fleece—even in summer.
Live City Briefing — Quebec
- The Quebec City tramway project is on hold with no start date; roadworks on Boulevard Charest and Rue Saint-Joseph affect traffic near the lower town.
- The Old Port's new seasonal pedestrian zone, Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, extended its riverfront path; expect light summer crowds but good access from the hotel.
- Rue Saint-Jean is under partial construction until July 2026 for underground utility upgrades; pedestrians are fine, but drivers face diversions.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to L'art de vivre, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor (top floor). Units at the back of the building (facing away from rue des Jardins) will be quieter than those overlooking the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they are closest to the street and the side entrance, so more likely to hear foot traffic and door noise. Also steer clear of rooms directly above the small lift – you may hear the mechanism during early hours.
Best views
Front-facing (rue des Jardins) rooms on upper floors offer a view of the historic street and neighbouring stone buildings – pleasant but no major landmark. Rear rooms look onto a quieter courtyard or neighbouring roofs.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest. Top floor (3) avoids any overhead noise from other guests.
🔊 Noise notes
Rue des Jardins is a narrow, cobbled street in Vieux-Québec – expect some pedestrian chatter, occasional delivery vehicles and horse-drawn carriages in season. The single lift can be audible from adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1) Use the 25 Mbps WiFi for basic browsing – it’s free and open, but not great for streaming or video calls. 2) For parking, book a space online at Parking du Vieux-Port (25 CAD per 24h) ahead if arriving by car – it’s the closest and cheapest option within 5-min walk. 3) If you have heavy luggage, request a room near the lift as the staircase is narrow.
- 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 — L'art de vivre
Free for all guests, up to 25 Mbps download speed, no login required (open network 'Lart-de-vivre-WiFi'). No paid premium tier.
One small lift serves all 3 floors (guest rooms). No stairs-only historical sections; lift reaches every floor.
Complimentary print copies of Le Journal de Québec and The Globe and Mail at breakfast (weekdays). No digital newsstand.
Check-in from 16:00; early bag drop always allowed at front desk. Late check-out until 12:00 is free if space allows; after 12:00 a fee of $50 CAD (until 14:00) or full night's rate (after 14:00).
Complimentary, in locked luggage room near reception; access 24/7 via front desk staff.
Step-free access via ramp at side entrance (front entrance has one step). Lift fits standard wheelchair. No accessible rooms with roll-in shower or grab bars; bathroom doorways are standard width (approx 30 inches).
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parking du Vieux-Port (10 rue de l'Estuaire), 25 CAD per 24h, 5 min walk. No EV charging on property or nearby public chargers generally within 1 km.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 3.50 CAD per person per night (Quebec City tourist tax)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; other rates may require first night deposit. At check-in, a $100 CAD hold on credit/debit card for incidentals.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Most travellers use ATMs with their debit card; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere; contactless and mobile pay are common. Keep some cash for small merchants.
15-20% at restaurants; round up taxis; $1-2 per drink at bars; $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a cafë or bistro: about $2.50-3.50
A bowl of soup or a sandwich at a neighbourhood cafë: roughly $12-15
Poutine or a simpler bistro main: around $18-25
Food trucks and small stalls along Rue Saint-Jean or near the Old Port, especially for poutine, smoked meat, and crêpes.
Metro, IGA, and Super C are the main budget supermarket chains.
Places like Winners/HomeSense on Rue Saint-Jean or shopping at Laurier Québec for discount chains (old mall sections).
The RTC bus day pass costs about $8.50; from the airport, take route 76 then bus 800 (single fare $3.50) — bus 800 is the cheaper option over taxis ($35+).
1) Visit Marché du Vieux-Port for fresh, relatively cheap picnic supplies. 2) Many museums have free evenings (e.g., Musée de la Civilisation on first Sunday of month). 3) Walk the old city instead of taking Funicular — it's steep but free.
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 L'art de vivre
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 L'art de vivre?
Request a room on the third floor (top floor). Units at the back of the building (facing away from rue des Jardins) will be quieter than those overlooking the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at L'art de vivre?
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they are closest to the street and the side entrance, so more likely to hear foot traffic and door noise. Also steer clear of rooms directly above the small lift – you may hear the mechanism during early hours.
Is L'art de vivre noisy?
Rue des Jardins is a narrow, cobbled street in Vieux-Québec – expect some pedestrian chatter, occasional delivery vehicles and horse-drawn carriages in season. The single lift can be audible from adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at L'art de vivre?
Front-facing (rue des Jardins) rooms on upper floors offer a view of the historic street and neighbouring stone buildings – pleasant but no major landmark. Rear rooms look onto a quieter courtyard or neighbouring roofs.
What are insider tips for staying at L'art de vivre?
1) Use the 25 Mbps WiFi for basic browsing – it’s free and open, but not great for streaming or video calls. 2) For parking, book a space online at Parking du Vieux-Port (25 CAD per 24h) ahead if arriving by car – it’s the closest and cheapest option within 5-min walk. 3) If you have heavy luggage, request a room near the lift as the staircase is narrow.
What time is check-in at L'art de vivre?
Check-in at L'art de vivre is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does L'art de vivre have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, up to 25 Mbps download speed, no login required (open network 'Lart-de-vivre-WiFi'). No paid premium tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at L'art de vivre?
3.50 CAD per person per night (Quebec City tourist tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near L'art de vivre?
A bowl of soup or a sandwich at a neighbourhood cafë: roughly $12-15
What is the cheapest way to get around from L'art de vivre?
The RTC bus day pass costs about $8.50; from the airport, take route 76 then bus 800 (single fare $3.50) — bus 800 is the cheaper option over taxis ($35+).
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
June to early September offer the warmest weather (averaging 20°C) and the longest daylight hours, ideal for walking the old town without biting cold. July is peak summer but crowds are manageable outside festival dates.
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.