Le Monastère des Augustines Review: Stay in a Restored 17th-Century Monastery

Are you heading to Quebec City and curious about the monastery stay? I hope my Le Monastère des Augustines review will help you decide if this unique hotel is right for your trip! While some stay here for a wellness retreat, I simply chose to stay here as my base for exploring Old Quebec.

Le Monastère des Augustines was beautiful, but minimal and the location is great! I’ll review everything from the room to its proximity to main sights and of course offer my experience with the silent breakfast.

About Le Monastère des Augustines

Le Monastère des Augustines was founded in 1639 by three Augustinian nuns who traveled from France to what was then New France. Their mission was to care for the sick and establish the continent’s first hospital north of Mexico, which became the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec.

For centuries, the Augustinian sisters lived, worked, and prayed within these monastery walls, dedicating their lives to healing and hospitality. In 2015, after years of careful restoration, Le Monastère des Augustines reopened as a nonprofit wellness hotel and museum, preserving the sisters’ legacy while welcoming modern travelers.

At a Glance: Le Monastère des Augustines Review

Category	Details
Location	In the heart of Old Quebec, attached to the historic Hôtel-Dieu hospital
Vibe	Peaceful, minimalist, and welcoming — with a deep sense of reverence and history
Room Types	Authentic rooms (monastic style, shared bath) or Contemporary rooms (modern comforts, private bath)
Best For	Solo travelers, wellness seekers, or anyone craving quiet reflection in a historic setting
Highlights	Wellness programs, nourishing local cuisine, museum access, and meditation spaces
Downsides	Limited nightlife nearby, quiet atmosphere may not suit everyone
Price Range	Mid-range (varies by season and room type)
Would I Stay Again?	Absolutely — it’s a unique blend of history, serenity, and meaningful travel with a great location

Check current rates at Le Monastère des Augustines

Location & First Impressions

Location

I arrived late afternoon due to delays on Air Canada. If you are wondering the best way to get from Montreal to Quebec City, I recommend the train. Le Monastère des Augustines is actually near the train station! My friend and I flew to Quebec City and both of our flights on two different days were delayed. However, we took the train down to Montreal and the whole process was easy.

Le Monastère des Augustines is located within walking distance of the train station, though going from the train to the monastery would be an uphill journey. The walk is only about 7 minutes and even on the snowy December day was not a difficult trip. The charming area of Quebec City is a short walk from the monastery and the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is about 11 minutes on foot.

First Impressions

The Monastery is conveniently located, but still tucked away. The area is quiet and pulling into the courtyard of Le Monastère des Augustines in the Uber I was impressed with its understated grandeur. My four days in Montreal and Quebec City were off to a good start!

There are two entrances, but I chose the first, obvious entrance by utilizing the stairs outside. However, if you need the elevator or don’t want to chance an issue with ice on the stairs, you can enter on the right side tucked behind the stairs. I didn’t find this option until the next day!

The lobby is clean and modern. There is a small shop to the right and I would later find out the quiet breakfast was to the left. The front desk is past the shop and is not imposing, but easy to find.

Overall, my first impressions were positive, and remained so throughout my stay!

Check-in & Welcome Experience

I was greeted by a friendly face at the check-in desk. Within minutes I was given instructions on how to get to my room. It’s important to pay close attention to the directions, as it can be easy to get lost, but I managed to find my way with the information provided.

The room I stayed in had two single beds and an attached bathroom. It was clean, with a simple layout. Indicative of staying in a monastery, but not uncomfortable in any way.

At the front desk, I was told about the tour of the Monastery, which is free for guests. My friend and I did do the tour with our final hours in Quebec City, and we both enjoyed it! We had to rush off to catch the train, and I would give myself more time if I could do it again.

Check current rates at Le Monastère des Augustines

Rooms & Accommodations

My friend and I stayed in what is considered a contemporary room. The authentic rooms are even more simplistic. There are also some rooms that share a bathroom, so be sure to pay attention to the details when booking if having an en-suite bathroom is important to you.

Our Room

Our room was clean and simple, which you’d expect in a monastery. The environment is mostly white, but not lacking warmth with the touches of wood. I loved the window and window seat that overlooked the courtyard.

The room my friend and I stayed in had two single beds. There was some space to walk between the beds, but it was just enough. Finding a place for your suitcases can be tough, but there is a closet which helps a little. They had bathrobes available, which were hanging up in the closet.

The bathroom was decently spacious. It was a medium sized bathroom and offered plenty of room so you will never feel cramped! While the room was just big enough, the bathroom felt more spacious.

They put a quote on each bed in both French and English, which was a cute touch. The quotes were different and added to the charm.

Overall, this is a monastery and while the rooms were comfortable, they are minimal and clean. There is Wi-Fi, but no televisions. It’s not a resort, but I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the stay was. Additionally, it was very quiet, which is helpful when you are there to rest and recharge!

Quiet Breakfast

Though I don’t talk much in the morning anyway, I still thought I’d get the giggles during silent breakfast. However, that only happened once when I dropped silverware and it made a loud noise. Overall, I found the quiet breakfast to be a soothing and enjoyable experience!

The breakfast itself was the best continental breakfast I’ve ever had! The options provided are high quality and healthy! They also had plenty of variety, so if you were on a special diet, you should not have an issue finding something to eat.

The seating areas were spaced out nicely. I loved the windows looking out into the courtyard. The first day I was there, I enjoyed watching the snowfall as I ate my breakfast.

While there is no talking during breakfast, they did have music playing softly. The soft music background really helped to mask some of the clanking of dishes and silverware. Additionally, there is someone walking around and restocking the breakfast should you need anything.

Check current rates at Le Monastère des Augustines

Atmosphere & Guest Experience

Overall, I loved my experience at Le Monastère des Augustines. As a guest, I felt the atmosphere was welcoming yet still carried the reverence you’d expect in a monastery.

It remained quiet during my stay, but I never felt out of place. The check-in was seamless and I really enjoyed the gift shop as well!

Before my friend and I headed to the train station, we took the tour of the monastery. I loved this experience and wish we had given ourselves more time. Either way, we were led through the monastery and offered insights into the history. I definitely recommend this experience!

As a guest, I felt the atmosphere was welcoming yet still carried the reverence you’d expect in a monastery.

Despite seeing a nun only once during my stay, there always remained a reverential feel, yet I always felt welcomed. I appreciated how they are able to walk that line and make a welcoming environment while still respecting the monastery.

If you’re still on the fence about staying at the monastery and you’re wondering what would be the best area in Quebec City for your trip, I break down all the neighborhood options in this post: Best Area to Stay in Quebec City: Your Complete Neighborhood Guide.

Nearby Attractions & Transportation

The beauty of this stay is how close it is to Old Quebec, yet still tucked away and quiet. It’s really the best of both worlds. While you will need to drive, Uber, or take a taxi from the airport, the train station (VIA Rail | Gare du Palais) is super close!

I’ll provide the walking times to some of the main sights in Quebec City, so you can decide if it’s an ideal location for your trip.

Walking Times from Le Monastère des Augustines

VIA Rail | Gare du Palais ~ 7 Minutes
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac ~ 11 Minutes
Place Royal ~ 13 Minutes
Place d’Armes ~ 10 Minutes
The Citadelle of Québec ~ 21 Minutes

Check current rates at Le Monastère des Augustines

Extra Tips for Guests

Since I stayed here as a base for my time in Quebec City, I can’t speak to the wellness side of this hotel. Though I’d absolutely be open to returning here.

Whether you stay in a room with an en-suite bathroom or a shared bathroom, they provide bathrobes, towels, and toiletries. If you do book a room with a shared bathroom, be sure to include shower shoes of some kind in your suitcase.

There is a shop and snack shack downstairs. I loved the little shop, but never utilized the snack area. Since I spent my day exploring Old Quebec, I only enjoyed (quiet) breakfast at the monastery.

I definitely recommend making time for the tour! It really added color to the experience of staying here.

Lastly, if you plan to explore Old Quebec, be sure to pack proper shoes. I visited in the winter, and my hiking boots (because I don’t own snow boots) came in clutch! The cobblestone streets and snow make for a cumbersome experience, so think more practical than fashion.

If you are wondering what to pack for Quebec City in December, I can help! I was pleasantly surprised by how warm I stayed, considering I’m used to warm weather!

Checkout: What to Wear in Quebec City in December | From a Warm Weather Girl

Le Monastère des Augustines Review

I hope this Le Monastère des Augustines review was helpful! This was definitely a positive experience for me, but it is not a typical hotel stay. If you’re interested in a unique, but comfortable “hotel” experience, consider booking a stay at Le Monastere des Augustines.

I love the quiet retreat it offered, while still being close to all the restaurants, sites, and Christmas markets in Quebec City! If you decide not to stay here, I still recommend visiting. The tour schedule changes so call the hotel, or stop by and visit the museum. Both have a fee if you are not a guest, but worth doing if you are intrigued!

I hope you have an amazing time in Quebec City! This charming European inspired town in North America won me over and I hope you have an equally fun time!