Yes, under certain conditions. Generally speaking, cats and dogs may be admitted to Canada if they come from a rabies-free country and are accompanied by a certificate, in either English or French, from an official government veterinarian in the originating country. Please note that animals entering Canada from countries other than the United States are subject to inspection fees. Lastly, pets must be accompanied by their owners at all times. The full regulations are available on the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) web site.

Yes. Most restaurants offer a wine selection, but some—particularly in major urban centres—allow customers to bring their own: a popular option, since it’s so economical. These restaurants generally post a sign in the window saying Apportez votre vin (bring your own wine). The following sites list “bring your own wine” restaurants in Montréal and Québec City: Montréal Plus.ca and Québec Plus.ca.

Québec’s climate varies greatly from one season to another, and sometimes from one region to another. For the seasonal statistics for Québec's various cities, consult Bonjour Québec.com's average temperature chart or visit the The Weather Network.

Since the temperature can vary so greatly between seasons, you have to pack accordingly. Keep in mind the region you will be visiting as well. For instance, summers are more humid in Montréal than elsewhere in Québec, while winters are somewhat longer in the province’s eastern regions than they are in the southwest.

In the summer (mid-June to mid-September), the days are hot and the humidity can be high, while Montréal generally experiences a heat wave at some point each summer. As such, short, light clothes are appropriate, but be sure to bring a jacket and pants for evenings and for the occasional cool day. Warmer clothes are also an absolute must for excursions in the St. Lawrence estuary and gulf (where the wind can be very cold), and for trips into the mountains.

In the fall (mid-September to mid-December), the mercury drops steadily as the season approaches winter. September and October are still very pleasant, though, if a little cooler than summer. A windbreaker would be a wise choice, as would a raincoat, since rainy days are more common at this time of year. Starting in November, the mercury hovers around the freezing point and the chances of snow increase, especially in Québec’s eastern regions, where it can begin falling early in the month. If you are planning to visit at this time of the year, be sure to bring along a warm coat, boots, a scarf and some gloves.

Temperatures in the winter (mid-December to mid-March) generally vary between -15°C (5°F) and -20°C (-4°F). However, it’s not uncommon for the mercury to plummet even further. Outdoor activities call for dedicated cold weather gear: snow pants, a winter coat, lined boots, a tuque or hat, mittens, and so on. For the coldest days or on long expeditions, a few simple tricks will help you stay warm: hand-warmers, for instance, are just as effective when inserted into boots as into mitts. And don’t forget that, even in town, you‘ll generally need winter boots for walking around snowy streets.

The heat gradually returns with the advent of spring (mid-March to mid-June). Temperatures remain around O°C (32ºF) in March and can easily reach 20°C (68ºF) in June. The snow melts gradually as nature begins to come back to life. With June comes the warmer weather, generally heralded by short bouts of summer-like weather in May, and sometimes even at the end of April.

In the fall, Québecers often enjoy a pleasant weather phenomenon known as “Indian summer,” which is characterized by a run of surprisingly warm, sunny days that follow on the heels of the first frosts of autumn. Indian summer generally makes its appearance between early October and mid-November. However, it is difficult if not impossible to predict when it will arrive, especially since it doesn’t happen every year. The expression “Indian summer” refers to the Amerindian practice of making the most of this period to finish up the harvest before winter.

Absolutely. A recent poll placed Montréal and Québec City among the world’s top 20 safest cities. However, as with anywhere, visitors should exercise vigilance and take basic precautions, like never leaving objects of value where they might be seen in a car, or walking about on poorly lit, out-of-the-way streets late at night.

Yes, in a palais de justice (courthouse). Prospective spouses need to fill out and submit the form entitled “Mariage civil” along with their birth certificates. Following this, they will be contacted by e-mail to set a wedding date.

Palais de justice de Montréal
Service des mariages civils (civil unions and marriages)
1, rue Notre-Dame Est
Bureau 3.150
Montréal (Québec) H2Y 1B6
Canada
Tel.: (514) 393-2721

Palais de justice de Québec
Service des mariages civils
300, boulevard Jean-Lesage
Bureau 1.24
Québec (Québec) G1K 8K6
Canada
Tel.: (418) 649-3400

For information on Québec products that cannot be brought into your country, you need to contact your country’s customs department.

Generally speaking, firearms for purposes such as hunting (rifles and shotguns) may be brought into Canada. However, you must fill out a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration prior to your arrival and have it approved by a customs officer.

Practicing sport hunting in Québec also means obtaining a hunting licence from an authorized distributor.

Lastly, be aware that the carrying of firearms is highly regulated in Canada. Certain firearms are restricted or even prohibited. For more information, visit the Canadian Firearms Centre Web site or call 1 800 731-4000.

If you are planning on joining a guided hunting expedition, your guide will make the necessary arrangements for exporting any wildlife you harvest.

If not, you must register any game you have bagged by presenting your hunting licence to an individual, company or association authorized by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec within 48 hours of leaving the hunting zone. This person, company or association will authorize the exportation of the game by punching the transportation coupon you have previously affixed to the animal.

A person convicted of committing a criminal offence, including driving while impaired, may be prohibited from entering Canada. Nonetheless, entry may be possible under certain conditions. For more information, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site.

Visitors to Québec can import 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 200 grams (7 oz.) of tobacco, in addition to 1.14 litres (40 fl. oz.) of spirits OR 1.5 litres (45 fl. oz.) of wine or twenty-four 355-ml (12-fl.-oz.) cans/bottles of beer, provided they are aged 18 and over. Since restrictions govern the import of food products, plants, pets and firearms into Canada, visitors are advised to contact the Canada Border Services Agency before leaving home.

The West Nile Virus is an infection transmitted mostly by mosquito bite. The symptoms (headaches, aches and pains, fever) are similar to those of the flu and are of no consequence to most people. Furthermore, the number of people infected by the virus is extremely low: in 2004, there were only three confirmed cases in Québec.

Simple precautions can reduce the already low risk. These include wearing long sleeved, light-coloured tops and pants at night (the time of day when mosquitoes are most active) and using a DEET-based mosquito-repellent, which is highly effective at keeping the pests away.

For more information on the subject, consult the West Nile Virus official information site.

Besides being home to one of the largest rivers in the world, the territory of Québec is covered with thousands of lakes. Thanks to tests carried out one to four times yearly by the Québec government, swimmers can be sure of which bodies of water are safe for swimming. Most of the results class the province’s water as good to excellent. For the test results for a particular body of water, visit the Québec government’s department of sustainable development, the Ministère du Développement durable.

Amtrak is the only railway company providing train service between certain major U.S. cities on the east coast and Montréal.

At Montréal Pierre-Elliot-Trudeau International Airport, buses leave for downtown every 20 minutes, seven days a week. These buses make stops at various large hotels downtown before arriving at the Station Centrale (bus depot). Tickets can be purchased at the airport ticket booth or at the bus depot. The cost of an adult return ticket is $22.75.

At Jean-Lesage International Airport, in Québec City, taxis are readily available for up to six passengers; the fixed rate for a one-way trip downtown is $30. Minivans are available for groups of more than six. The airport also offers a limousine service and transport for persons with disabilities.

Despite the price hikes of recent years, driving remains an affordable option in Québec. Pump prices for a litre of gas are around one dollar, or just under $4 per gallon.

On weekends, certain parking lots in the province’s major cities allow recreational vehicles to park for the day, and some even permit overnight parking. To locate these parking lots, check with the Société Parc-Auto du Québec (the province-wide parking authority) for all of Québec, or call (514) 868-3737 for Montréal. Please note that it is unlawful to spend the night in shopping centre parking lots.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that campgrounds are generally within reach of most urban centres. Campgrounds are listed on the Web site of the Association des terrains de camping du Québec. The main difference between campgrounds and city parking is that the latter offers no services, and does not permit recreational vehicles to open out.

Despite the immensity of Québec’s territory, it’s easy enough to reach even the most far-flung regions thanks to different bus lines and car-sharing organizations. Contact the places you want to visit to find out about the available modes of transport. For instance, a daily shuttle leaves from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts for the Parc national de la Gaspésie, giving you easy access to the summits of Mont Albert and Mont Jacques-Cartier.

Québec City is a popular port-of-call for cruises in the Maritimes and New England. However, with the exception of local cruises, there are no departures from the Port of Québec.

The main highways are equipped with a network of wayside stops offering various traveller services such as restrooms, public telephones, picnic tables and even light refreshments. To familiarize yourself with the signs that indicate a service area, rest stop or lookout, visit the Transports Québec Web site. Keep in mind that certain stops are open from May to October only.

There are many car rental companies, some of which will even pick you up at the airport. You can make reservations online through our Book section.

Looking to rent a recreational vehicle? Several companies specialize in this kind of rental, which must be of at least one week’s duration. Bedding, towels and kitchen utensils are included in the price—you just have to pack your bags, and set off to discover Québec’s highways and byways!

Overall, traffic in Québec’s cities is a non-issue compared to most North American cities. Of course, a certain amount of road congestion is to be expected in the major urban centres (particularly Laval, Montréal and Québec City), mostly from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In the summer, road maintenance is common on Québec’s highways. From time to time, roadwork can cause lengthy delays. You can find out where and when you are likely to run into roadwork on the Transports Québec Web site.

No. The use of radar speed detectors is prohibited in vehicles. Violators may be subject to a $500 to $1,000 fine and have their devices seized.

Certainly. French immersion programs are your window to a new culture as well as a new language. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to put your learning to good use as you converse with your homestay family and talk to your classmates during activities and tours. To locate schools that offer these courses, simply look up “language courses” on our search engine.

With French as its official language, Québec is a unique North American destination. Travelling in Québec is made easier by the fact that English is a second language that is spoken and understood by a great many Québecers, particularly in the large urban centres and in various businesses operating in the tourism sector. Furthermore, a large English-speaking community has existed in Québec for over two centuries, particularly on the island of Montréal, which has led to a wide range of services offered in English.

Canada’s transportation authority classifies propane gas as “dangerous goods.” As such, the Highway Safety Code allows for the transport of two 18-kg (40-lb.) gas cylinders per vehicle.