Winter tour Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls & Île d'Orléans

Montmorency Falls rises 83 meters, taller than Niagara, and freezes into a cascade of ice in winter.

A private winter tour of Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans with a certified chauffeur-guide who narrates the route. The tour runs four hours and includes transportation; stops at a blackcurrant estate and optional chocolaterie on the island let you taste local flavors without leaving the car for long stretches. A restaurant visit can be added on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Old Quebec and Surroundings

• Drive through Old Québec
• Admire Château Frontenac and historic sites
• Listen to guide's stories about heritage
• View Montmorency Falls from vehicle
• Hear about falls' history and beauty
• Cross bridge to Île d’Orléans
• Visit Cassis Monna & Filles estate
• Stop at local chocolaterie

The Experience

Your driver picks you up and heads into Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site where centuries-old stone walls and the Château Frontenac rise above snow-covered streets. From inside the vehicle, you watch the historic quarters pass while the guide shares stories of explorers and traditions that shaped the city. Winter transforms the old town into something quieter than the summer version—the snow settles on the facades and the crowds thin out, so the place feels less like a postcard and more like a working city that happens to be beautiful.

The next stop is Montmorency Falls, which the operator describes as one of Quebec's most striking natural wonders. At 83 meters high, it towers above Niagara Falls, and in winter it becomes a frozen formation of ice and mist. You view it from the vehicle, where the guide explains the falls' history and what you're seeing—the shimmering shapes, the way the water freezes in layers. The stop is short enough that you don't linger in the cold, but long enough to take in the scale of it.

The final leg crosses the bridge to Île d'Orléans, where snowy fields and local producers wait. A visit to Cassis Monna & Filles, a family-run blackcurrant estate, lets you sample artisanal jams, syrups and liqueurs made on the island. A stop at a local chocolaterie can follow if you want handmade treats. If you'd prefer a sit-down meal instead, the guide can arrange a restaurant visit—the itinerary adjusts to what you're after, so the day stays personal rather than locked to a fixed schedule.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a vehicle with a certified chauffeur-guide.
• narrated stops at Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls Park and Île d'Orléans.
• a visit to Cassis Monna & Filles blackcurrant estate with tasting opportunities.
• an optional stop at a local chocolaterie.
• restaurant arrangements on request.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Anecdote Quebec Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls and the island in one morning or afternoon without driving yourself or waiting for a group bus to fill up. The private vehicle and flexible itinerary mean you can linger where you want and skip what doesn't interest you—and the guide's narration turns the drive itself into the experience, not just the stops.

Top questions

What's the difference between this tour and a standard winter sightseeing bus in Quebec?

This is a private tour with a driver-guide in a vehicle, not a group bus. You travel at your own pace with narration tailored to your interests, and the itinerary can include a restaurant stop on Île d'Orléans if you request it—something a fixed bus route cannot offer.

Is Montmorency Falls accessible in winter, or is it closed?

Montmorency Falls Park stays open year-round. In winter, the falls freeze into ice formations that are visible from the vehicle; you're not hiking to the base, so winter weather doesn't prevent the visit.

How much time do I spend outside the vehicle?

Most of the tour happens from inside the vehicle while the guide narrates. At Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans, you step out briefly to view the falls or enter the blackcurrant estate and chocolaterie, but the stops are short enough that you're not exposed to the cold for long stretches.

Can I add a meal to the tour, or is food not included?

Food and drinks are not included in the base tour, but the guide can arrange a restaurant stop on Île d'Orléans on request. The Cassis estate and chocolaterie visits let you purchase items, but those are optional and not part of the tour price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide is certified and speaks English and French, so you can request the language you prefer when you book.

Does the tour run every day in winter, or only on certain dates?

The tour operates as a winter experience, but specific dates and availability depend on your booking—check with the operator for the schedule that matches your travel dates.