Quebec : Formalities and administrative procedures

Quebec : Organize your stay

Money Quebec

Currency is expressed in Canadian dollars (CAD, $ CA, CAN $ - not to be confused with the US dollar). Coins in denominations of CAN$1 and CAN$2, and 5, 10 and 25¢ (cents); bills in denominations of CAN$5, CAN$10, CAN$20, CAN$50 and CAN$100 (the latter are sometimes refused in some stores). Cenne, pronounced "cenne" for cent ("je n'ai plus une cenne" means "I'm broke"). Piastre, pronounced "piasse", is synonymous with dollar. The 25¢ coin is also known as a "trente sous". According to the Royal Bank of Canada, the exchange rate in January 2025 was : 1 CAN $ = 0.66 €; 1 € = 1.43 CAN $.

Budget & Tips Quebec

To help you plan your daily budget on site, here are three examples to suit everyone's financial means.

Small budget: 100-125 CAN $ per day per person (camping/guesthouse accommodation, meals on the run or groceries, public transport or carpooling, free activities or activities costing less than 10 CAN $).

Medium budget: $250 CAN per day per person (B&B or hotel accommodations, fine dining, public transit or car, paid or package activities).

Large budget: from $350 CAN per day per person (luxury hotel or condo/chalet accommodation, fine dining, car transport, package activities/expeditions).

And don' t forget that the prices of most consumer goods and services include a provincial tax (QST) of 9.975% and a national tax (GST) of 5%, generally not included in the posted price. A 15% tip must also be added to the bill in restaurants and bars. Tipping cab drivers, hotel cleaners and hairdressers is also recommended (but may be less than 15%). No tips at cinemas or theaters.

As forhaggling , this is not a common practice in the country. Prices are fixed and generally non-negotiable. However, shopkeepers can sometimes be generous and offer you something if you buy items from them for a substantial sum. Similarly, even though it's strictly forbidden, small shops sometimes agree not to charge you taxes if you pay for your purchases in cash and without the possibility of returning them...

Passport and visas Quebec

Travelers from France, Belgium and Switzerland are accepted for six months, and must have completed their application for Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE). They must be in possession of a valid passport, a return ticket (ideally) and sufficient funds to ensure their stay.

Since 2016, visitors who do not require a visa must complete an AVE (electronic travel authorization) prior to their trip. The AVE costs $7 CAN per person and is valid for five years or until the passport expires. This online application collects basic personal information, just as is currently done at customs on arrival in Canada, and results in faster border clearance. Beware, however, of the many fraudulent sites that abound on the web. Some companies, unconnected with the government, offer to help you apply for an AVE. But it's very easy to do (and available in French). For more information: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/visiter-canada/ave.html

For all other questions concerning entry formalities in Canada and contact details for the Canadian embassy in France: international.gc.ca/country-pays/france/index.aspx?lang=eng

Finally, if you're planning to cross the border into the U.S. for a short getaway, or even a simple transit, you'll need a biometric passport. This passport entitles you to the Visa Waiver Program for stays of less than 90 days. To benefit from this visa waiver, you need to make an ESTA declaration online, along with a US$21 fee, for tourist stays in the United States. For further information: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

Driver's license Quebec

French, Belgian and Swiss driving licenses are accepted for a period not exceeding six months; otherwise, you'll need an international license (generally valid for one to three years). If you wish to rent a car in Quebec, you must be at least 21 years of age (25 for certain models) and have a credit card. A driver's license is also required for snowmobiling and quad biking, and a motorcycle license is mandatory to drive one.

To find out about licensing requirements for different types of vehicle,click here: saaq.gouv.qc.ca/je-conduis

Forall you need to know about the international license: saaq.gouv.qc.ca/driving-license/international-license

Health Quebec

There are no infectious diseases or health risks worth mentioning in Quebec. Tap water is potable (unless otherwise indicated) and free, even in restaurants.

Security Quebec

Quebec's crime index is considered one of the lowest of any province in Canada, if not North America. There's no such thing as a "red-light district" in Quebec either, but we have to admit that some Montreal neighborhoods are a little less welcoming. So there's no need to worry about women traveling alone in the province, or even taking the metro in Montreal.

Time difference Quebec

The time difference with Quebec is 6 hours less, in summer and in winter. However, the time change in the fall and in the spring does not occur at the same time. For the Magdalen Islands, Anticosti Island and part of the North Shore, the time difference is only 5 hours in winter (and even in summer in the Magdalen Islands and in the coastal villages of the Lower North Shore, which are in the Atlantic time zone).

Spoken languages Quebec

In Quebec, the official language is French. There are, however, a few English-speaking communities, mainly in Greater Montreal, but also elsewhere in the province, such as the Outaouais, Eastern Townships and North Shore. In Greater Montreal's ethnic neighborhoods, you'll hear languages from the four corners of the globe (Chinese, Italian, Creole, Hebrew, Greek...). As for Aboriginal communities, there are a dozen languages grouped into three linguistic families: Algonquian (Abenaki, Algonquin, Atikamekw, Cree, Malecite, Innu, Mi'kmaq and Naskapi), Iroquoian (Mohawk and Wendat/Huron) and Eskimo/Aleut (Inuktitut). Some of these languages almost disappeared, but notable efforts are being made in several communities to breathe new life into them.

Communication Quebec

Telephone coverage is excellent in major centers and most regions. However, in some more remote areas, only satellite phones work, and even then. If you take out a mobile subscription in Quebec, especially with low-cost operators, be sure to check coverage, as it may be limited to just a few towns or a single area.

As for wifi, finding a connection is not a problem in Quebec. Airports, bus and train stations, hotels (beware: some luxury hotels offer this service at extra cost), restaurants, cafés, bars, cultural venues, etc., are generally equipped with wifi, most of them free of charge. Free public networks are also available in some neighborhoods of major Quebec cities. In remote areas, however, Internet access can be complicated or even non-existent.

Libraries, some hotels and cafés also make computers available, sometimes free of charge. But self-service computers are gradually disappearing from the landscape...

Electricity and measurements Quebec

110-volt alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz. Plugs are American-style flat (not round as in Europe). You'll need an adapter to use European appliances such as shavers and hair dryers, and check that they accept this voltage. If necessary, you'll also need a current transformer.

When it comes to measurements, things take a turn for the worse. Although Quebec adopted the metric system some forty years ago, the Québécois still use the old measures (inch, foot, pound, ounce, quart, gallon, etc.). To find out more: metric-conversions.org/en

As for shoe sizes, a woman's 38 corresponds to a 7 (equivalent to a man's 39.5). For clothing sizes, women's 40 corresponds to 12; men's 44 becomes 34.

Luggage Quebec

Summers are hot, especially in the southwest of the province. However, air conditioning and cool evenings in the countryside or mountains require woollens and a windbreaker. Don't forget a bathing suit, a backpack for hiking and mosquito repellent. In the spring and fall, a lined raincoat is a must, and in the winter, a hat, mittens and a scarf, as well as an anorak, warm clothes and furry boots are a must.

Quebec : Daily life

Hello? Quebec

On a cell phone, calls within the country are free, as long as you have a Canadian number or the international option is activated with your European operator. To make a call, you must always dial the area code (3 digits) + the seven digits of the local number. Phone numbers beginning with 1 800, 1 833, 1 844, 1 855, 1 866, 1 877 and 1 888 are the equivalent of toll-free numbers in France. For long distance and overseas calls from Quebec, opt for a prepaid calling card. You will find them easily (department stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, cell phone stores, etc.).

In Quebec, many telephone companies sell prepaid SIM cards or monthly plans and you will get a local phone number. This is the most economical option if you intend to use your phone frequently and make local calls. However, you should know that as a general rule, a phone purchased from a French operator is "blocked" and will only accept SIM cards from that operator. You must ask your operator to unlock your phone before leaving (which is not always possible).

Accessibility Quebec

Although there is still a long way to go, Quebec is becoming increasingly accessible to people with limited physical ability. For example, many city buses are adapted for wheelchairs, ramps have been installed at the entrances to various businesses and tourist attractions, and some Montreal metro stations are now equipped with elevators. To learn more about accessible tourism, visit the Kéroul website (keroul.qc.ca).

Health Quebec

All regions of Quebec have hospitals, clinics and integrated health and social services centers (CISSS and CIUSSS). Specialized centers are located in the larger cities. You will find a list of health care facilities on the website of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec (msss.gouv.qc.ca).

As for medications, they are not sold ready-to-use, in bottles labeled by the laboratories, as in Europe. Here, it is the pharmacist who prepares the bottle, filling it with the exact number of pills prescribed by the doctor, and who writes the dosage of the prescription on the label, which avoids waste and abuse of medication. If you think you need prescription medication, it is best to take the prescription with you. Pharmacies are like drugstores, with a "Prescriptions" counter staffed by a pharmacist. Some large chains in Quebec: Familiprix, Jean Coutu, Pharmaprix, Uniprix. In most cases, big-box stores also offer an on-site pharmacy service.

Emergency numbers Quebec

Throughout Canada, 911 is the emergency number for contacting an ambulance, the fire department or the police. This number is free of charge, whether it is dialed from a landline, a cell phone or a pay phone. 911 is available 24 hours a day.

Securty Quebec

Quebec's crime index is considered one of the lowest of any province in Canada, if not North America. There's no such thing as a "red-light district" in Quebec either, but we have to admit that some Montreal neighborhoods are a little less welcoming. So there's no need to worry about women traveling alone in the province, or even taking the metro in Montreal.

LGBTQ Quebec

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2) people are protected from discrimination and harassment based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. In addition, same-sex marriage has been legalized in Canada since 2005.

While Quebec is particularly gay-friendly, with rainbow-colored neighborhoods in Montreal and Quebec City, some incidents can occur in the form of verbal and/or physical aggression. These may be isolated cases, but they will always be one too many.

Embassies and consulates Quebec

France has two consulates in the province, one in Montreal (montreal.consulfrance.org) and the other in Quebec City (quebec.consulfrance.org). Belgium (canada.diplomatie.belgium.be/en) and Switzerland (www.eda.admin.ch/eda/fr/dfae/representations-et-conseils-pour-les-voyages/canada.html) also have a consulate general in Montreal and an honorary consulate in Quebec City.

Mail Quebec

As of January 13, 2025, postage for a standard letter (letter-size envelopes and postcards, maximum 30 grams) costs CAN$1.44 within Canada, CAN$1.75 to the U.S. and CAN$3.65 internationally (allow 4-7 business days for Europe). Post offices are usually open weekdays from 8am to 5pm. Some stores, such as pharmacies, have postal centers that are generally open later, as well as on weekends.

Local media Quebec

Several daily and weekly newspapers are on sale in different regions of Quebec. At provincial level, the best-known and most widely read are La Presse (lapresse.ca - web only), Le Devoir (ledevoir.com) and Le Journal de Montréal (journaldemontreal.com) or de Québec (journaldequebec.com). In English, the Montreal Gazette is recommended (montrealgazette.com, web only).

Some magazines are also worth a read, such as L'Actualité (the largest monthly French-language general news magazine outside France - lactualite.com), Nouveau Projet (culture and society magazine with texts written by academics, authors, artists and other thinkers on Quebec society - atelier10.ca/nouveauprojet) or Fugues (news and outings for the LGBTQ2 community - fugues.com). Other websites worth mentioning include Sors-tu? (cultural webzine - sorstu.ca), Espaces (outdoors, fitness, travel and adventure, espaces.ca) and Tastet (gourmet discovery media - tastet.ca).

ICI Radio-Canada (ici.radio-canada.ca) and its English-language counterpart CBC (cbc.ca) are Canada's public broadcasters, for both television and radio. On the small screen, the most popular private general-interest channels are Noovo and TVA in French, and CTV and Global in English. The TV5Unis channel (tv5unis.ca) retransmits some French, Belgian and Swiss programs. France 2 newscasts are also broadcast there.

And as everywhere else, community media (newspaper, radio, television, web) are well represented, especially in the cities.