Night falls, and Old Quebec tells darker stories. This 2-hour interactive street theatre experience turns the city after dark into a walking stage, led by ghostly guides like Marie Rivière or Jean Rattier as they introduce you to the ghosts of 10 notorious criminals from New France.

What I love most is the way the performance stays alive as you walk, not stuck in one spot, and how the show connects crime stories to the bigger story of New France and Quebec City’s seedier past. You get entertainment that still feels grounded in local history, told through characters you’re meant to interact with.

One thing to consider: it’s mostly outdoors, and the ghosts keep walking rain or shine. If you’re not into cold weather, packed streets, and comfortable-shoe walking, you’ll feel it.

Key Things You’ll Notice

• A 10-ghost cast of criminals: each character brings a different crime story into the streets of Old Quebec.
• Characters interact the whole way: your guide and actors keep you involved, not just watching from the curb.
• Old Quebec after dark: the streets do a lot of the atmosphere work for you.
• French and English live guides: the show runs with a live performer/guide.
• Rain or shine: you’ll want to dress like the weather has a vote.
• No video recording: come ready to experience it, not archive it on your phone.

Quebec’s Crime Stories Become a Walking Performance

This isn’t the kind of ghost tour where you get one handheld audio track and a vague history lesson. Here, the city becomes a stage, and you move through it with a performer/guide who stays in character as the story unfolds.

The pitch is simple: Old Quebec, when it was known as New France, had a criminal element, and you’ll meet the ghosts of 10 infamous criminals tied to that darker side of the city’s past. The result is part storytelling, part street-theatre, and part night walk—so you’re learning while you’re also being entertained.

If you like your history with motion, this format works. Instead of asking you to sit still, it gives you something to do every few minutes: listen, react, and follow the next ghost as the route changes from stop to stop through the core of Old Quebec.

Where You Start: Morrin Centre, City Hall, and St Andrew’s Church

Your evening begins at the front of the Morrin Centre at 44, Chaussée des Écossais. It’s described as about a 1-minute walk from City Hall, and it sits right behind St. Andrew’s Church—handy if you’re already orienting yourself around Quebec City’s historic core.

This matters more than it seems. Starting in a clear, central spot means you spend less time hunting for the group and more time settling in for the show. It also keeps the first part of the experience close to the streets you’ll be walking later—so the tour’s night atmosphere kicks in quickly.

One practical tip: arrive a few minutes early. Street theatre works best when everyone is together and the actors can build momentum. If you stroll in late, you’ll miss the first character beat that sets the tone.

The 2-Hour Ghost Walk: How the Story Moves Through Old Quebec

You’re out for about 2 hours, and the experience is structured around walking through Old Quebec City with ghostly guides such as Marie Rivière or Jean Rattier. Rather than a single monologue, the show is built around repeated “scene changes” as the cast introduces the ghosts of 10 criminals.

So what does that look like in real life? Expect a steady rhythm:

• You meet the tone-setting guide and get context about New France and Quebec’s seedier criminal side.
• As you continue through the streets, new ghost characters appear as separate story beats.
• The performer/guide keeps the group engaged while you move between spots.
• The tour builds from one criminal story to the next, keeping you focused on the street-level setting.

The route covers a substantial area of Old Quebec’s center, so it’s not just a stroll around one block. You’ll be walking through the heart of the old city while the cast keeps the energy up, which is exactly why this works better at night than in daylight.

Meeting the Ghosts of 10 Criminals (and Why the Format Works)

The tour’s core feature is the lineup of 10 infamous criminals, each presented as a ghostly character tied to deeds committed centuries ago. If you’re hoping for a standard “then this happened, then that happened” timeline, you might find the story feels more like a guided crime case file mixed with theatrical character work.

Here’s why that matters for your enjoyment:

• You remember it better: stories stick when they’re acted, not just recited.
• You get pacing: you’re not stuck hearing the same voice for the full walk.
• You learn by watching reactions: the cast’s character work helps frame the crimes in a way that feels vivid, not abstract.

Also, you’re not just listening. The tour is interactive street theatre, and the performer/guide and actors encourage participation during the journey. People describe the guide staying in character throughout, with quick humor and friendly interaction that pulls the group into the action instead of keeping everyone at arm’s length.

In the practical sense, this means the experience is easier if you’re willing to engage—answer prompts, follow directions, and lean into the sillier spooky moments. If you want a totally hands-off, quiet museum-style history tour, this may not fit your vibe.

The Atmosphere: Old Quebec After Dark Does the Heavy Lifting

Old Quebec at night is already atmospheric. This tour uses that setting instead of fighting it. Street corners, narrow lanes, and historic buildings create a natural mood—then the cast builds on it with ghost characters, story beats, and the steady walk through the city.

What really elevates the atmosphere is that the show stays in motion. You’re not stuck waiting for the next scene. The actors keep you looking at where you’re going and thinking about the story being told in that specific street moment.

You’ll also feel the “theatre all the way through” approach. Some tour-goers point out that the cast keeps character and interaction going for the entire journey, not just at the start. That matters if you’ve tried other walking tours where the performance energy fades after the first stop.

And yes, it’s a ghost tour, but it’s also built for entertainment and laughs. One of the nice things here is that the experience can work for people who want spooky fun without going full horror. Some families mention their kids enjoyed it, which suggests it’s more playful than scary.

Language Options: French and English Live Performance

This is a live tour with a performer/guide available in French and English. That’s important because it changes how responsive the show feels. A live guide can adjust tone, keep character timing tight, and guide group interaction in real time.

If you’re traveling with mixed language comfort levels, you can also plan around your preferred language so everyone shares the same version of the story.

If you’re the type who likes history but also likes a bit of humor, you’ll likely appreciate how the show balances storytelling with character personality. The guide’s wit and staying in character are part of why the evening tends to feel like more than a history lecture.

Price and Value: $23 for Two Hours of Acting, Walking, and Stories

At $23 per person for about 2 hours, this tour sits in a category that’s often hard to judge without seeing the show. Here’s my take on value based on what the experience is designed to deliver.

You’re paying for:

• a guided walk through a large portion of Old Quebec’s center,
• a live performer/guide in character,
• a street-theatre format with interaction,
• and multiple story beats tied to 10 criminal ghosts.

So you’re not just buying a list of facts. You’re buying performance time and a moving, theatrical format that turns the city into the set. That combination is usually where tours earn their keep—especially in a place like Quebec City where you can easily spend an evening just walking and looking around.

The other value marker: this tour has a strong track record with a 4.6/5 average across 175 reviews. That doesn’t mean every moment will be perfect for everyone, but it does suggest the experience consistently lands as fun and well-run.

Is it “worth it” if you hate walking? Not really. But if you enjoy strolling at night and want your history delivered with acting, the price feels fair.

What to Bring: Comfort, Warmth, and Rain Gear

Since the ghosts walk rain or shine, packing for weather is not optional. The essentials are clearly spelled out:

• Comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing
• Umbrella and rain gear

If you’re visiting in the colder months, don’t underestimate how long two hours feels outside at night. Even in mild weather, Old Quebec streets can get damp and chilly as the air cools down.

Also, keep your phone situation simple. The tour states video recording isn’t allowed, so don’t plan on filming the performance. You’ll still be able to take normal photos if your guide doesn’t stop you, but the one clear rule is no video recording—so come ready to watch and listen.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This works especially well for you if:

• you like ghost tours but want more than one-way storytelling,
• you enjoy interactive performances,
• you’re spending only a short time in Quebec City and want something high-impact for one evening,
• you want history connected to place and atmosphere, not just dates and names.

It can also be a fun family outing. Some people mention taking children as young as 6, and others describe it as enjoyable for kids in the 10–12 range. The tone seems geared toward playful spooky entertainment rather than intense horror.

If you’re traveling solo, you’ll still get the social energy because the cast interacts with the group. If you’re traveling with friends, it becomes an activity you can discuss while you walk.

Where it might not fit: if your idea of a night tour is quiet, photo-only, or minimal walking, this is a more active, character-driven show.

Should You Book Crimes in New France?

I’d book it if you want an evening in Quebec City that feels like theatre and history got together. For $23 and about 2 hours, you get a structured story with ghostly guides, the ghosts of 10 criminals, and a night walk through Old Quebec in a way that doesn’t feel like homework.

Skip it if:

• you hate cold wet weather and you’re unwilling to wear layers and rain gear,
• you dislike interactive performances,
• you need a totally quiet, no-participation tour format.

If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you want your Old Quebec time to feel like an event? If yes, this is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

All departures are from the front of the Morrin Centre, 44, Chaussée des Écossais street. It’s about a 1-minute walk from City Hall, right behind St. Andrew’s Church.

How long is the Crimes in New France tour?

The experience runs for about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price listed is $23 per person.

What languages is the tour available in?

The live tour guide offers French and English.

Does the tour run in rain?

Yes. The ghosts are walking rain or shine, so bring rain gear and an umbrella.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, an umbrella, and rain gear.

Is video recording allowed?

No. Video recording isn’t allowed during the tour.

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