The Fairytale Chateau Style in Old Quebec City

Part of the romance of old Quebec City is the apparent concentration of chateaus and turreted gateways that gives travelers the impression they’ve stepped straight into a fairy tale.

Just outside the old city ramparts stands the fantastical Armoury of Quebec. This was the first building in Canada built in the “Chateau Style” of architecture by Eugène-Étienne Taché. Inspired by his travels in France, Taché’s design evoked the grandeur of French Renaissance châteaux with medieval elements like twin towers, high-pitched roofs, stone walls, pinnacled turrets, barbican windows and faux gun embrasures. Built between 1885 and 1887, it was never a castle. It served as a training and parade ground for the Voltigeurs de Québec reserve infantry unit.

That sense of enchantment continues when we enter the old city by passing under Saint-Louis Gate, one of the entry points in the fortified walls surrounding Old Québec.  Originally built in the late 17th century under the French Regime its pointy turrets, arrowslits and crenellations could illustrate a Grimm Brothers tale.

Just a few blocks away, on the very edge of a precipice stands the majestic Chateau Frontenac with its steep rooves and countless turrets. Again, never a castle. Built in 1892, this grand structure is one of several railway hotels that stretch across the country.

It’s a joy to wander the cobbled streets in search of the perfect grand vista to paint or a charming alley to sketch. The city is a combination of fanciful and grand and homespun. Neither too big to walk its entirety nor too small to run out of sketchable scenes.

Join us August 6-10, 2026 for an artist retreat featuring pastel classes with Virginia instructor, Bryan Jernigan. We will enjoy poking our noses in shops and alleys, a wine tasting, high tea, museum visits and an art gallery crawl. For more info click HERE.

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