In the heart of Old Quebec's walled city, the Monastery of the Augustinian Sisters occupies a 17th-century complex inherited from a religious community intimately linked to the history of healthcare in Canada. Restored over more than twenty years, the site now combines accommodation, museum and wellness programming within a heritage setting designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why stay at the Monastery of the Augustinian Sisters

The site was founded in the 17th century by the Augustinian Sisters, who established the first hospital in North America north of Mexico. For nearly four centuries, the community cared for vulnerable populations, leaving behind a built heritage, archives and healthcare practices and knowledge.

After more than twenty years of reflection and restoration work, the monastery reopened to the public on August 1st, 2015. Led by the Augustinian Sisters' Cultural Heritage Trust, it now functions as a living memorial where religious heritage dialogues with a contemporary, secular approach. Staying here allows you to lodge in a lived-in historic site, a stone's throw from the fortifications and the Old Port, while remaining removed from the tourist flow.

A sober and quiet atmosphere

The atmosphere is that of a former cloister: vaulted corridors, minimal furnishings, strong presence of ancient walls. Silence is part of the experience, particularly in the morning in shared spaces. The deliberately austere character of the place sometimes surprises travelers accustomed to conventional hotels, but it is coherent with the site's purpose and its intentionally slower rhythm.

Rooms: authentic or contemporary

Accommodation is divided into two types of rooms:

• Authentic rooms, arranged in the former cloister cells. Compact spaces, minimal furnishings, shared bathrooms for some: a setting faithful to the original monastic life.
• Contemporary rooms, located in restored buildings, offer more modern comfort with private bathrooms, while respecting the overall austerity of the place.

This dual offering appeals equally to solo travelers, couples and those seeking an urban retreat at a slower pace.

Wellness, museum and programming on-site

The monastery extends the Augustinian Sisters' original mission through a secular holistic health approach. Several offerings punctuate your stay:

• Body treatments and gentle care practices inspired by traditional therapies.
• Movement activities, breathing exercises and meditation time in heritage spaces.
• A silent breakfast experience, an assumed legacy of monastic culture.

The site also houses an integrated museum, with a path that flows through the historic buildings without separation between living space and exhibition space. You'll discover archives, rare books and everyday objects, witnesses to the community's social and medical role over four centuries.

Location in Old Quebec

The monastery is located at 77 rue des Remparts, in Quebec City, within the walled city, in the heart of Old Quebec designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You are just a few minutes' walk from the fortifications, Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace and the Old Port.

The area is served by several bus lines from the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (notably lines 11, 25, 54, 133, 207, 800 and 801), to be verified at the time of your stay. For travelers with a car, paid parking is available on-site, a welcome convenience in a district where spaces are scarce.

Nearby: other accommodations in Canada

If you extend your trip beyond Quebec City, other distinctive accommodations are worth the detour:

• Hotel Germain Charlevoix, about 1.5 hours' drive away, for a design stopover in the Charlevoix region.
• Alt Griffintown in Montreal, a contemporary address well-situated for exploring the metropolis.
• Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, a Montreal institution in the heart of downtown.
• Canopée, for a night nestled in Quebec's forest.

Planning your stay in Canada

The Monastery of the Augustinian Sisters fits naturally into an itinerary between Quebec City, Montreal and Charlevoix, or as a contemplative stopover within a broader journey. To build your tailor-made stay and combine historic city, nature and distinctive addresses, explore our Canada trips.