Hiring a Quebec City tour guide is one of the best ways to experience the wonder, history and culture of Quebec City. Whether it is your first time in the city or your fourth, tour guides can provide valuable context to your time in Quebec City; inviting a deeper emotional connection to the city, its history, people, and culture. Walking tours are one of the best things to do in Quebec City, or any city actually!
Can anyone be a Quebec City tour guide?
To be a Quebec City tour guide, one must first take a tour guide course which covers everything from history to culture to be an effective and engaging tour guide. The course can be taken in French or English. Foreign guides accompanying groups to Quebec City can take this course online.
Once they have passed the course, tour guides then need to obtain a license from the city, which needs to be renewed annually.
This Bylaw has been put in place to ensure everyone taking a tour in Quebec City is receiving correct information.
A licensed Quebec City tour guide must wear or carry their city-issued card whenever they are conducting a tour. If your tour guide does not have this card, they are not licensed by the city and can be fined up to 4,000 CAD if they are caught.
Recommended tour guides in Quebec City
Choosing which Quebec City tour guide to hire can be a challenge, as there are quite a few to choose from. Over the years, we have come to know and trust a handful of tour guides in Quebec City – and often recommend them to readers emailing us for advice.
The following guides are some of the best in the city, and while some offer group tours, they can also be hired privately for a custom tour of Quebec City and its surrounding areas. It’s something everyone should add to their things to do in Quebec City (and its surrounding areas).
Steeve Gaudreault
A master storyteller, Steeve has developed a guiding formula that has tourists raving long after their private tour has ended. Few tour guides take the time to tailor a private guided tour to not only their client’s requests but to their background and personality as well. It is this attention to detail, and his passion for what he has chosen to do, that sets Steeve apart from other Quebec City tour guides.
Jocelyne Belleau
Jocelyne is an incredible tour guide in Quebec City. She leads group tours for Tours Voir Quebec, and gives private tours as well. Jocelyne is a fun-loving and engaging guide, with a vast knowledge of Quebec history, culture and food. Tours are provided in French or English.
Email to book a tour: belleaujo49@hotmail.com
Sam Dubois
Hundreds of people take Sam’s Free walking tour of Old Quebec each year, learning about the city and having plenty of fun along the way. Passionate and funny, Sam has the ability to tailor tours with ease. Sam often works with school groups, as well as clients looking for a custom group experience. Love craft beer? Sam is the Quebec City tour guide to hire for a unique and unforgettable tour.
Xavier Chambolle
A talented Quebec City tour guide, Xavier is known for thinking outside the box – he offers a tour catering to the blind, as well as one focused on women’s rights in Quebec. Xavier provides a unique perspective on Quebec, Lévis and their histories – which makes for a memorable private tour experience.
Tommy Byrne
Tommy Byrne is a licensed Quebec City tour guide and historian specializing in private tours. Trained in history and international politics, his tours focus on local history from the perspective of the last 5 centuries. Perfectly trilingual, he gives private guided tours of the city and region in French, English and Spanish. Passionate about communication, Tommy also gives talks for private or public events.
Marie-Pierre Lessard
A fun and engaging Quebec City tour guide, Marie-Pierre runs Nomad Tours Quebec which offers group tours, as well as private tours. Take a photographic journey through the Historic District of Old Quebec, learn about history and beer or ask Marie-Pierre to create a custom tour that is sure to take your time in Quebec City to the next level – and possibly fall in love with the city too!
Quebec City Travel Planner
Planning a trip can be a lot of fun, especially to a destination like Quebec City. Check out our Quebec City travel planner for everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip. And, if by some chance, we have forgotten something, please contact us so we can help you!