Quebec City: The ideal place to organize a retreat
What if Old Quebec was the ideal destination for bringing your community together for your next retreat? Many retreat organizers are looking for a venue that reflects the experience they want to create and the expertise they want to share. Here are five reasons that will make you want to pack your bags and invite your guests to do the same in the heart of Quebec City.
1. Old Quebec, the cradle of French North America
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Old Quebec is a unique place in North America. Its four centuries of history, remarkable architecture, and French-speaking culture give it a truly distinctive character.
Here, heritage is not something you discover only in museums: it is experienced as you walk through the streets. As they explore Old Quebec on foot, your participants can soak up its distinctly European atmosphere and admire, among other things:
- Historic fortifications, including Saint-Jean Gate;
- The beautiful buildings of Place Royale;
- The famous Château Frontenac;
- The lively Petit-Champlain district;
- Dufferin Terrace, with its spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River.
Many shops, restaurants, and institutions contribute to the vibrancy of this historic district. However, it is the warm welcome of Quebecers that is sure to charm you. Quebec City is a place where hospitality is part of the city’s character, not only as a tourist destination, but also through the values embodied by the people who live and work in the area.
2. Easy to reach, no matter where you’re coming from!
Organizing a retreat also means considering how accessible the destination is for participants. Quebec City is easy to reach whether you’re travelling from elsewhere in the province, another Canadian city, or abroad.
Old Quebec is approximately 25 minutes by car or taxi from Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport (YQB). Quebec City is also accessible by train or coach, particularly from Montreal. Gare du Palais is even within walking distance of Old Quebec.
Traveling by car is also an option. Several parking facilities are available in or near Old Quebec.
3. Four seasons to give your retreat a different feel
One of Quebec City’s greatest assets is its four distinct seasons, each transforming the landscape and atmosphere throughout the year.
In summer, generally warm and pleasant temperatures invite you to enjoy the terraces, parks, and many public spaces throughout the city. It is an ideal season to include a walk, an outdoor activity, or a relaxing moment outside in your schedule.
Early fall, meanwhile, offers spectacular scenery. If you are lucky, you will be able to admire the magnificent orange, yellow, and red hues of the region’s trees, which usually appear from late September to mid-October.
Winter creates an atmosphere that naturally invites introspection. Snow transforms the city and makes you want to retreat indoors and take the time to watch the snowflakes fall. Those looking for fresh air will feel invigorated by an outing outdoors. A perfect opportunity to play in the snow and let yourself be charmed by the magic of winter.
Finally, during spring, the snow melts, the trees come back to life, and sap begins to flow again. Your visit to Quebec City might coincide with maple season and give you the opportunity to taste traditional maple taffy on snow.
No matter which season you choose, if you take the time to slow down a little, you will be delighted by what each one has to offer.
4. A vibrant city with nature close by
Quebec City has another particularly appealing advantage when it comes to organizing a retreat: you can enjoy the vitality of the city while still having easy access to nature. Several parks are located within the city itself, including:
- The Plains of Abraham, which are part of Battlefields Park;
- Esplanade Park;
- Governors’ Park;
- The Saint-Charles River linear park;
- Bois-de-Coulonge Park;
- Victoria Park;
- Domaine de Maizerets.
These green spaces provide plenty of opportunities to get some fresh air, go for a walk, or simply take a break in an environment that is both natural and urban.
If you would like to venture outside Quebec City, the possibilities multiply. Jacques-Cartier National Park, the trails and outdoor activities in the Portneuf and Côte-de-Beaupré regions, the impressive Montmorency Falls, and the picturesque landscapes of Île d’Orléans are all easily accessible by car from Quebec City.
5. Host your next retreat in Quebec City, a UNESCO-designated biosphere region
In Quebec City, environmental responsibility is more than a concept written on paper: it is an ongoing concern reflected in the commitment of its stakeholders.
On June 5, 2026, UNESCO designated Quebec City and Wendake as a “biosphere region,” making it the fifth biosphere region in Quebec, after Mont Saint-Hilaire, Charlevoix, Lac Saint-Pierre and Manicouagan-Uapishka.
This international recognition demonstrates the commitment of the various stakeholders in Quebec City and Wendake to maintaining a balanced relationship between their urban environment and natural heritage.
What makes this possible? It comes down to the participation of local communities, including First Nations, numerous biodiversity conservation initiatives, and the use of innovation to support sustainable development.
A wonderful example of how Quebec City and Wendake are caring for both the land and the people who call it home!
Host your next retreat in a nearly 400-year-old monastery
After discovering five reasons to consider Quebec City for your next retreat, you may be wondering where to host your group. You probably have in mind a warm and welcoming venue that encourages you to slow down, where you can stay overnight, share good meals, and hold your activities. That’s where Le Monastère des Augustines comes in!
Le Monastère des Augustines is a nonprofit organization that opened its doors in 2015, although the oldest parts of the building date back to the late 17th century. Located in the heart of Old Quebec, it welcomes retreat organizers into heritage rooms steeped in the history of the Augustinian Sisters.
Le Monastère des Augustines is a non-denominational place of rest and renewal that offers an environment conducive to calm, reflection, and digital disconnection. Its historic character helps create an experience that stands apart from a stay in a traditional hotel.
Would you like to bring your group together in the Monastère’s unique atmosphere? Here are some of the advantages you will find:
- Bright and welcoming heritage meeting rooms designed to foster rest and renewal;
- Two types of rooms (Authentic or Contemporary), all impeccably clean, with many available for single occupancy;
- Healthy, delicious, and varied meals featuring local and organic ingredients;
- A museum dedicated to the legacy of the Augustinian Sisters, allowing your guests to enjoy an experience that brings together heritage and well-being;
- The option of adding massages or Le Monastère’s signature activities to your retreat schedule (gentle yoga or Qi Gong sessions, mindful walks, concerts in the historic vaults, etc.);
- Support from a coordination team to help you plan all the details of your stay: menu selection, room setup according to your needs, various equipment, yoga mats or meditation cushions, and more;
- Gardens reserved for Le Monastère guests, offering green and peaceful spaces in Old Quebec.
Le Monastère des Augustines is an ideal retreat venue in Old Quebec, offering everything you need to plan your stay with peace of mind. It is calm, inspiring, and deeply rooted in the history of the destination, just a few steps from Saint-Jean Street. Forget about logistical concerns: everything is there to allow you to focus on what truly matters: the content of your retreat and the experience you want to create for your participants.
“We obviously want to come back! The studio was really perfect for our group. The food was very good, and the rooms were clean. There are a lot of single rooms, so our participants can have their own little space and feel comfortable. And the thing that’s wonderful about Le Monastère’s location is that it’s quiet and offers a sense of solitude, but just around the corner, people can visit cafés and get a taste of Québec culture. Coming from the United States, it feels like you’re in Europe, and you only flew for a couple of hours.”
In conclusion
Old Quebec is full of well-kept secrets, and Le Monastère des Augustines is certainly one of them! Don’t wait any longer to enjoy everything Quebec City has to offer. Its heritage, culture, gastronomy, green spaces, and activities are sure to charm you. A true adventure in itself, just waiting for you and your community!
Would you like to make Le Monastère des Augustines your next retreat venue? Contact our team to discover how your event could come to life in this peaceful haven in the heart of Old Quebec.
