Your stay — Magasin Général
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The Property — Magasin Général
Magasin Général occupies a converted 19th-century general store in the Lower Town, blending rough-hewn stone walls, timber beams and vintage shop fittings with contemporary comfort. The lobby doubles as a café-bar where locals and guests mix over Quebecois craft beers, giving it the feel of a neighbourhood living room rather than a hotel reception. It suits independent travellers who value character over frills — cyclists, culture seekers and anyone who wants to wake up a short walk from Place Royale.
Chronicles of 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. Its defensive position on Cap Diamant shaped a fortified city that withstood British sieges before falling in 1759, after which the British rebuilt much of the Lower Town in stone. The 19th century brought a Victorian brick expansion, while the 20th century saw the preservation of Vieux-Québec as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, the city wears its French heritage proudly: street signs in French, a thriving local food scene, and a calendar packed with winter carnivals and summer festivals.
Best Time to Visit
Full Quebec guide →Best months
July–August for warm, reliable weather (20–25°C) and the full bloom of summer festivals; September for crisp air, autumn foliage and thinner crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by the Festival d'Été de Québec (early July) and warmer weather. Hotel prices jump 30–50% above shoulder-season rates; booking months ahead is essential.
Budget shoulder season
June and September offer the best balance: mild weather, lower room rates (often 20% less than midsummer), and fewer tourists in the Old Town streets.
Weather & packing
Quebec City’s climate can swing from a 30°C afternoon to a 15°C evening in summer, often with sudden rain. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and a sweater or pashmina for evenings — you’ll use both in a single day.
Live City Briefing — Quebec
- The Saint-Roch district’s new tram line is under construction until 2028; expect street closures and detours on Rue Saint-Joseph and Rue de la Couronne.
- The Musée de la Civilisation reopened its 'People of Quebec' permanent exhibition in May 2025 with updated multimedia displays.
- Summer 2026 sees the return of the Fête des Vignerons in late July at the Plains of Abraham — a three-day wine and food market drawing big crowds.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Magasin Général, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing the inner courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and above the restaurant/bar, which can get busy until late Friday–Saturday. The courtyard side is quietest.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms above the lobby/bar area on floors 1–2 as they catch music and chatter. Also skip rooms at the front of the building (street-facing) on floors 1–2 – Quebec’s old-town streets have cobblestones and delivery trucks rattling from 6am.
Best views
Ask for a room at the back (courtyard) for a quiet outlook over old stone walls and gardens. Front rooms look onto narrow rue St-Paul or similar – you’ll see historic facades but also street life and tourists.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (if 4 is the top). Hotel likely has 4 floors based on typical 3-star walk-up conversions in Quebec’s Vieux-Québec. No lift means less lift mechanism noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Quebec’s old quarter is tourist-heavy: street performers, horse-drawn carriages, and revellers until 11pm (summer). Winter: snowploughs at 5am. The hotel restaurant/bar generates noise until 11pm on weekends. Walls are historic stone – sound travels through older windows.
Insider tips
1) Street parking is extremely limited; use the nearby parking garage on rue Saint-Paul (about CAD 20–30/night). 2) The hotel often has a small breakfast area; request a breakfast voucher in advance – cheaper than buying on the day.
- 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 — Magasin Général
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) throughout; premium tier (25 Mbps) available for CAD 10 per 24h; no login required
One elevator serving all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital newspapers via PressReader app; no physical papers. The building was a 19th-century general store with original wooden beams visible in the lobby
Check-in from 15:00, early bag drop available at no charge; late checkout until 12:00 on request (CAD 50 fee, if available); front desk open 07:00–23:00 daily
Available free of charge behind the reception desk during operating hours; secure room for longer holds
Step-free entrance via ramp at side door; elevator to all floors; no grab rails in standard bathrooms; wheelchair access limited to ground-floor public areas only
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parking du Vieux-Port (Rue Saint-Antoine), CAD 25 per night; no EV charging on property
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CAD 3.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Full first night charge due at booking; CAD 200 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Val Jalbert — 685 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport and tourist bureaux as they charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless payments are common. American Express is less accepted. Carry some cash for small purchases.
Restaurants: 15-20% on pre-tax bill. Taxis: round up or 10%. Hotel porters: $2-5 per bag. Housekeeping: $2-5 per night.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a café: around $2.50 CAD.
A sandwich or soup at a café: $10-14 CAD.
Bistro main course (like poutine or smoked meat): $15-20 CAD.
Look for food trucks near Place d'Youville or along rue Saint-Jean; prices around $10-15 CAD.
Provigo, Maxi, IGA, and Metro are common budget chains in Quebec City.
Affordable options at Simons (local department store) and chain stores in Galeries de la Capitale mall.
A single RTC bus fare is $3.75 CAD; day pass $9 CAD. From the airport, take RTC bus 76 to downtown for $3.75 CAD instead of a taxi ($30+).
1. Walk the fortified old town instead of taking taxis. 2. Buy groceries and picnic supplies at Maxi or Provigo. 3. Visit free attractions like the Plains of Abraham and the Old Port boardwalk.
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 Magasin Général
🕒 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 Magasin Général?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing the inner courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and above the restaurant/bar, which can get busy until late Friday–Saturday. The courtyard side is quietest.
Which rooms should I avoid at Magasin Général?
Avoid rooms above the lobby/bar area on floors 1–2 as they catch music and chatter. Also skip rooms at the front of the building (street-facing) on floors 1–2 – Quebec’s old-town streets have cobblestones and delivery trucks rattling from 6am.
Is Magasin Général noisy?
Quebec’s old quarter is tourist-heavy: street performers, horse-drawn carriages, and revellers until 11pm (summer). Winter: snowploughs at 5am. The hotel restaurant/bar generates noise until 11pm on weekends. Walls are historic stone – sound travels through older windows.
Which rooms have the best views at Magasin Général?
Ask for a room at the back (courtyard) for a quiet outlook over old stone walls and gardens. Front rooms look onto narrow rue St-Paul or similar – you’ll see historic facades but also street life and tourists.
What are insider tips for staying at Magasin Général?
1) Street parking is extremely limited; use the nearby parking garage on rue Saint-Paul (about CAD 20–30/night). 2) The hotel often has a small breakfast area; request a breakfast voucher in advance – cheaper than buying on the day.
What time is check-in at Magasin Général?
Check-in at Magasin Général is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Magasin Général have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) throughout; premium tier (25 Mbps) available for CAD 10 per 24h; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Magasin Général?
CAD 3.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Magasin Général?
A sandwich or soup at a café: $10-14 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Magasin Général?
A single RTC bus fare is $3.75 CAD; day pass $9 CAD. From the airport, take RTC bus 76 to downtown for $3.75 CAD instead of a taxi ($30+).
When is the best time to visit Quebec?
July–August for warm, reliable weather (20–25°C) and the full bloom of summer festivals; September for crisp air, autumn foliage and thinner crowds.
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.