QUÉBEC CITY GHOST TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sipping the Dead: A Macabre Walk Through Mortality and Maison Smith in Old Québec
A 1h30 guided, entirely on-foot exploration of funerary rites, cemeteries and mortuary secrets from Nouvelle‑France, capped with a small beverage from Maison Smith on rue Saint‑Jean.
Sipping the Dead: A Macabre Walk Through Mortality and Maison Smith in Old Québec.
Plunge into the macabre urban layers of Old Québec on a guided promenade that unearths 17th‑century burial practices, pauper and criminal interments, and the rites that shaped how colonists confronted death; the walk concludes with a small Maison Smith beverage to warm the body and settle the nerves.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Burial rites of Nouvelle‑France
Hear the grim particulars of funerary practice in the 1600s—where colonists, the poor and convicted criminals were laid to rest—and learn how those rites reveal the social order and daily fears of New France.
An animated, ghostly storyteller
The walk is led by a theatrical guide who brings the era to life (or nearly so), tracing cemetery sites and telling the lugubrious stories that expose the period’s mortuary secrets.
A funereal stroll that ends with a warm breuvage
The experience pairs the funeral‑themed walk with a small Maison Smith beverage (hot chocolate, latte or lemonade), valid at the rue Saint‑Jean branch and included in the forfait.
What the day feels like
What it Feels Like
The guided outing is a paced, 1h30 outdoor walk through Old Québec’s funerary landmarks: expect close storytelling, stops at former burial places and discussions of how death was handled across social ranks—finished with a comforting small drink from Maison Smith on rue Saint‑Jean.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this walk suits—and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour lasts approximately 1h30.
Weather‑appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended; dress to be comfortable outdoors for the duration of the activity.
Assemble at 44 chaussée des Écossais, Québec, QC G1R 4H3 (Morrin Centre) before departure.
The forfait includes a small Maison Smith beverage—choice of hot chocolate, latte or lemonade—redeemable only at the Maison Smith rue Saint‑Jean branch.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The guided visit runs approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Where do we meet?
Meeting point is 44 chaussée des Écossais, Québec (Morrin Centre).
Is a drink included?
Yes — the forfait includes a small beverage from Maison Smith (hot chocolate, latte or lemonade), valid at the rue Saint‑Jean branch.
Is the tour outdoors and on foot?
Yes. The entire visit is conducted on foot and outdoors; dress and shoe choice should reflect that.
What should I bring?
Bring weather‑appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear to remain comfortable during the outdoor walk.
Is the content suitable for children?
The tour deals with historical death and burial practices; families should consider the macabre subject matter and the walking requirement before joining.