Easy Quebec City Day Trip: The Levis Quebec Ferry & More

Levis Quebec is a small town on the south shore of the St. Lawerence river directly across from Quebec City.

I won’t lie, there isn’t too much to do in Levis Quebec. But despite its small size, it’s a worthwhile stop on a Quebec road trip, or a half day activity if you’re visiting Quebec City for a few days.

I’ll go over how to get to Levis Quebec from Quebec City (without a car!), and what to do while you’re there.

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Welcome To Levis Quebec: A Bit Of History

Levis Quebec might not look like much today, but at one point it was even more important than Quebec City.

Who knows, maybe in some other world, you would be visiting Levis instead of Quebec City.

In the 1800s, Levis was home to the Davie family, one of the leaders in the ship building industry still today. They started their facility in none other than Levis – producing hundreds of cargo and pedestrian ships over the years.

Because of the ship building industry, the Canadian Pacific Railway company added a train stop here in 1882 (even before Quebec City had one!).

But, as the naval industry declined, so did the importance of Levis…

What Is Levis Like Today

After over 100 years, in 1998, VIA Rail decides to close the train station in Levis. And it just goes downhill from there… Don’t get me wrong, I loved my visit to Levis but it’s quite a strange town.

First off, it’s really quiet… almost too quiet!

Second, the first view you get of Levis from the ferry is jarring. I mean, you’re greeted with this odd deserted town built in front of a giant rock. The town looks rather incomplete with empty spaces between buildings… it’s an odd site to say the least.

So Why Is Levis Still Worth Visiting?

Levis Quebec is worth checking out nonetheless!

There are still a few interesting museums and historical sites to visit. Plus, let’s be real, it’s all about finding the best Quebec City views!

Plus, once you’re back in Quebec City, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re looking at across the St. Lawerence. It’s no longer just a random land mass, you can even spot a few focal points!

On top of that, it’s also a nice break from the bustling of over tourism in Quebec City. Levis is really not that busy (at least it wasn’t during low season when I visited!).

Visiting Levis also isn’t a very long day trip from Quebec City, so you can spend as little or as long as you want here. We spent about 2 hours there which included stopping for lunch, views, walking through the Old Town, and going to a museum.

If you’re planning on visiting the Fort though, you’ll probably need a bit more time (it was closed for the season when we visited).

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Getting To Levis Quebec WITHOUT A CAR From Quebec City

I think the most impressive part about visiting Levis is that you can get here without a car from Quebec City.

How you might ask? Well there’s a pedestrian only ferry that will take you straight there in under 15 minutes!

Taking The Levis Quebec Ferry

The Quebec Levis Ferry is only 12 minutes to cross the St.Lawerence River. It leaves at most about every hour from either port (check the schedule). So it will take a bit of extra planning if you don’t want to waste time waiting.

Make sure to buy an ‘allez-retour’ ticket (both ways!) so you can easily come back to Quebec City and save some money.

The Quebec Levis ferry is honestly a must do in Quebec City even if you don’t want to visit Levis. It’s worth going for the view alone and then taking the next ferry right back to the city.

The whole process, if you don’t get off, will take about 45 minutes to an hour.

But Do You Need A Car Once You’re In Levis Quebec?

There are four areas that are worth visiting in Levis Quebec: the Port, Old Levis, the Levis Fort, and Les Chutes-de-la-Chaudière-Ouest (the Chaudiere Falls Quebec). All of these except for the Chaudiere Falls are close by, and can be reached without a car from the port.

So, depending on what you want to do in Levis Quebec, you might want to drive there. There’s also a ferry for cars, or you can drive across the bridge.

The drive is about 35 minutes to get to Old Levis over the bridge. It’s obviously faster by ferry, but you have to take into account wait times.

Having a car in Levis simplifies getting to some attractions that you might be interested in (like the Levis Fort and the Chaudiere Falls).

If you’re okay skipping the falls (which I consider to be a completely separate trip to do) then you really don’t need a car in Levis.

Things To Do In Levis Quebec

Honestly, a visit to Levis is all about finding different spots for the best skyline views of Quebec City!

So, if you take the ferry, obviously, that’s already one amazing view for the books! But, there are a few other spots you might want to check out in Old Levis.

This is my recommended 2 hour itinerary that takes you in a walking loop around Old Levis from the ferry dock. As I said, you don’t really need to spend longer in Levis unless you wanted to see the Fort.

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Stop By Cafe Bonté Divine

After your long ferry ride to Levis Quebec (joking it’s really not long at all!), your first stop should be across the street at Cafe Bonté Divine.

It’s a great place to stop for a pick me up and maybe get a snack for later (you’ll see why in a bit!). Depending on your timing, you might want to consider picking up a sandwich from here as well!

P.S. I also love their selection of tea – perfect for tea lovers to get their pick!

Quai Paquet

It’s a bit of a zig zaggy route but you can decide to go back to the ferry terminal to walk through the Quai Paquet towards our next destination.

The Quai brings you along the St. Lawerence River with views of Quebec City (make sure to not fall in…there’s barely a barrier!).

If you don’t want to cross back and forth you can also walk through the ‘town’ (although there really isn’t much there).

A.C. Davie Shipyard National Historic Site

As I said, The Davie Shipyard was a huge part of Levis Quebec. If you’re lucky, you can visit the historical site and the museum (A.C. Davie Shipyard National Historic Site). It’s only open in the summer from mid June until the end of August. And on select days in the winter when they have special activities.

There are 2 permanent exhibitions about the maritime industry in Levis Quebec and the main family involved: the Davie family. As a bonus, it’s all free!

Red Staircase (Escalier Rouge)

After you enjoyed the wonderful odd part of the lower town, it’s time to go up the red stairs to Old Levis!

194 steps later, you’ll reach the actual town of Levis Quebec. Take your time going up the stairs and don’t forget to look behind you for some reminders of why you’re walking up in the first place.

Maison Alphonse Desjardin

Although I saw this on my list of things to do in Levis Quebec, I wasn’t convinced of actually doing it until we were there. And this was the highlight of Levis for me and a must do on any visit!

If you’re from Quebec, or even Canada, you’ve definitely heard of Desjardin Insurance. If you’re not from Canada, well, Desjardins is one of the leading companies that locals use for car and home insurance.

Little did I know, it was founded by Alphonse Desjardin in Levis Quebec! It’s a very interesting part of Canadian history that you can’t find anywhere else.

At the Maison Alphonse Desjardin you’ll be able to tour his family home and learn about how he started the company. Oh and did I mention it’s all free!?

You can go on a self guided tour, get an audio guide (about 30 minutes), or get a tour (about an hour).

Walk Through Old Levis Along Bégin Street

Bégin Street is the main street in Old Levis Quebec. This is a good lunch spot if you’re hungry with a few restaurants to choose from.

But really, once you’re here, go on a little self guided walking tour through history of the Desjardin Company. You can pick up a guide at the Maison Alphonse-Desjardin.

Not all the buildings look like much today, but others are a worthwhile stop (like the Édifice Desjardins…).

Édifice Desjardins

The Édifice Desjardins is one of the most striking buildings on the street. This is a more art deco style building and it was the first (and only) high rise in Old Levis.

You can also go inside to visit the free museum about Desjardins Groupe (of course it has limited hours – check Google to see if it’s open when you’re visiting). Find out more information here.

Terrasse du Chevalier-de-Lévis

And now for la pièce de resistance, Terrasse du Chevalier-de-Lévis. This is the last stop on the walking tour of Levis and where you’ll find the best view of Quebec City.

If you picked up lunch, find a bench in the park and settle down to enjoy lunch with a view!

I swear I could sit here for hours looking at that view!

Finally, Walk Back To The Port

After you’ve taken in the best view, head back to the port to catch the next ferry back to Quebec City.

Once you leave the park, turn left on Rue Desjardins and then again on Rue Louis-Frechette. This will take you all the way down and back to the port.

And just like that you’ve made a very nice circle and you’re arriving back at the Gare de Levis. Head on to the ferry to make it back to Quebec City.

P.S. Time your visit to Levis Quebec for sunset… the sun will set behind Quebec City to just bring that already incredible view to the next level!

More Things To Do In Lévis Quebec

Levis Fort National Historic

Instead of heading back to the city, there’s one more main attraction in Levis Quebec: the fort.

I was unable to visit the fort having missed the season (open from June to October).

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Levis Fort was an important part of history – built up to protect Quebec City. You can tour the fort, get glorious views, and even get a guided tour through the casemates. Plan your visit here.

If you visited Levis by ferry without a car, you can still visit the fort – you’ll just have to take public transit…

Getting To The Fort Levis Without A Car

You can walk to the fort but it’s about 40 minutes from the port. If 40 minutes is a bit of a long walk for you (totally understandable!), there’s a bus that will get you there in about 15 minutes. You’ll still have to walk a bit, but it will be much less!

You’ll want to take the L2 bus that leaves from the ferry dock (Terminus de la Traverse) going towards Sainte-Foy centre. You’re on the bus for 11 stops (about 8 minutes) getting off at stop Station Parc de la paix. From there, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the fort.

The easiest place I found to buy a bus ticket is to download the app Nomade Paiment. You’ll have to make an account to buy a ticket but then everything is on your phone! You’ll show the bus driver your ticket when you get on.

You can try to buy a bus ticket at the ferry terminal, but from what I could tell online, they only sell them at the Alimentation Bodoin down the street.

Chaudière Falls Québec

The Chaudière Falls are still in Levis, but in an entirely different area. If you don’t have a car, you can still reach them from the ferry port by bus, but it will take you about an hour.

Instead, I recommend driving here on an entirely separate occasion as it’s only a 20 minute drive from Quebec City and not close to the Levis Quebec Ferry.

If you’re coming from or going to Montreal from Quebec City, that’s the best time to visit the the Chaudière Falls as they are on the way.

They’re not as big as Montmorency falls, but there are a few more hiking trails to explore here. Plus, there’s an equally terrifying suspension bridge!

P.S. You can still visit from Old Levis without a car, but it will take you about an hour by public transit.

Hotels In Levis Quebec

If you decided to hang around Levis Quebec, or maybe even explore Quebec City from here instead, here are a few places to stay in Levis.

Gîte Kezako is a highly rated private room in a house. It’s only a 10 minute walk to the ferry and offers views of the Quebec City skyline. Each room has a private bathroom as well. See room rates and availability on Booking.com.

For a hotel in Levis Quebec stay at Four Points by Sheraton. If you’re attending a conference in Levis, the Four Points is connected to the Lévis Convention Centre. See room rates and availability on Booking.com.

I would also recommend the Hampton Inn (as a Hampton Inn fan). This Levis hotel is further from Old Levis, but very close to the Chaudiere Falls. Plus, you’re very close to the bridge if you’re interested in heading to Quebec City often. See room rates and availability on Booking.com.

For more accommodation options in Levis Quebec, see Booking.com.

Or interested in visiting Levis from Quebec City? Check out my recommendations for hotels in Quebec City.

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Last update on 2024-05-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API