Château Frontenac

The Château Frontenac opened in 1893 on the cliff of Cap Diamant, high above the St. Lawrence River. It was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to attract travellers to its transcontinental line, and it became the defining silhouette of Quebec City. Today it is operated by Fairmont and is often described as one of the most photographed hotels in the world.

History

The hotel takes its name from Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, governor of New France in the 17th century. It grew in several phases, and its central tower was completed in 1924. During the Second World War, the hotel hosted the Quebec Conferences of 1943 and 1944, where Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King met to plan the Allied strategy.

Architecture and design

The American architect Bruce Price designed the original building in the château style inspired by the castles of the Loire Valley: copper roofs, turrets and brick walls. The style became the signature of the great Canadian railway hotels. The Château Frontenac was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1980 and stands within Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Rooms and wellness

The hotel has 610 rooms, many with views over the river or the old town, as well as a spa and an indoor pool.

Location

The hotel overlooks Dufferin Terrace, the river and the lower town. The fortified walls, the Citadel and the streets of Old Quebec are all within a short walk.

Weddings and events

The Château Frontenac hosts weddings, gala dinners and conferences in its historic salons with views of the river. Planners can send their date, guest count and occasion through the request form on this page, directly to the events team.