I went to Quebec City and felt like I'd jetted off to Europe without leaving North America

Quebec City is reminiscent of European cities, according to Business Insider's travel reporter. Joey Hadden/Business Insider 2026-04-28T11:08:01.314Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. I went to Quebec City in August 2022. It's a historic French city with a European feel. Then, I visited four European countries for the first time: Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland. The streets and buildings of Quebec City felt similar to places I visited in Europe. AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. What makes Quebec City unique? What European elements are in Quebec City? How did Quebec's architecture develop? How does Quebec City compare to Europe? Why do travelers seek European vibes? With narrow, cobblestone streets, European-inspired architecture, and a primarily French-speaking population, Quebec City feels like a European paradise. I spent 24 hours in the 400-year-old French-Canadian city in August 2022. Back then, I hadn't explored enough of Europe to decide if Quebec City felt like other countries across the Atlantic. But after visiting Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany two months later, the comparison was clear. Quebec City is over 400 years old, making it one of the oldest cities in Canada.

The Fairmont Hotel in Quebec City. Joey Hadden/Business Insider The city, which sits on the St. Lawrence River, was founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, according to the city's website. Quebec City is on the eastern edge of the Canadian province of Quebec. The reporter traveled from New York City to Quebec City. Arrows point to Québec City and New York City. I traveled by train from Montreal to Quebec City, but my flight home to New York City took less than two hours — much shorter than a trip to Europe. My direct flight from NYC to Berlin was nearly eight hours long when I visited in October 2022. I spent most of my time in Old Quebec, a neighborhood with preserved French and British colonial architecture. A street in Old Quebec. Joey Hadden/Business Insider During my visit, I spotted many of these simple, rectangular buildings with decorative shutters. I wandered down Old Quebec's photogenic streets and spotted rows of colorful buildings. Vibrant architecture in Quebec City (left) and Zurich (right). Joey Hadden/Business Insider A few months later, in Zurich, I saw blocks I thought looked similar to those in Quebec City. Streets in both cities were lined with vibrant shops and restaurants. Many of the streets in Old Quebec were made of cobblestone. Cobblestone streets in Old Quebec. Joey Hadden/Business Insider They looked like the roads I saw in all four European countries I visited. I also noticed most signs were written in French. French signage in Quebec City. Joey Hadden/Insider That's because about 84% of Quebec's population speaks French, according to the Government of Canada. English wasn't the primary language spoken in any of the European countries I visited, either. A sign for gondola rides in Venice, Italy. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Most of the signs I saw abroad were written in German or Italian. While some streets in Quebec City were wide, others were quite narrow. Narrow streets in Quebec City (left) and Rome (right). Joey Hadden/Business Insider Later, in Rome and Venice, Italy, I stumbled upon alleys that reminded me of the narrow streets in Quebec. After my trip to Europe, I also realized that my hotel in Quebec City, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, was similar to those I had seen abroad.

The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I thought it was the most stunning building, which makes sense as, according to the World Atlas, it's known as the most photographed hotel in the world. It was a dramatic castle-like structure. The hotel's exterior. Joey Hadden/Business Insider The hotel opened in 1893 and was inspired by romantic architecture and French castles. The hotel looked like something out of a fairy tale, with elaborate landscaping and old-world architecture. Fairy tale landscapes in Quebec City (left) and Austria (right). Joey Hadden/Business Insider I had a similar feeling while strolling through gardens next to historic architecture in Vienna. Inside, I thought my hotel room was small, but the view out the window was grand. The reporter in her hotel room. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I perched on the windowsill and marveled at the European architecture surrounding me. I also saw Quebec City Hall, which was inspired by the Second Empire.

Quebec City Hall, a national historic site in Canada. Joey Hadden/Business Insider It was built in a European style with prominent rooftops, according to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. I spotted the same architectural style in Viennese buildings, like Schönbrunn Palace. Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Joey Hadden/Business Insider This architectural style is known as Second Empire Baroque. Additionally, old-world cathedrals in Quebec City, such as Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, reminded me of those I later saw in Europe.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Quebec City Joey Hadden/Business Insider Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral has a Neoclassical style, with towers and stained-glass detailing.I saw a lot of Neoclassical architecture all around Rome, too, like at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. After visiting Quebec City and places in Europe, I found that they're not exactly the same, but they're pretty close. Buildings in Old Quebec. Joey Hadden/Business Insider If you're looking for a European adventure that's closer to home without the pricey flight and jet lag, I think Quebec City is a good alternative.