Ferries run across to Old Quebec, and you should take one at least once. The crossing takes about 12 minutes and shows you the old city from the water. It leaves from Vieux-Levis, where the Terrasse de Levis looks straight over the river at Quebec City, and heritage streets and Fort No. 1 are nearby.
Levis itself is a real city of about 150,000 that merged ten municipalities in 2002, and it is where the Desjardins cooperative movement began. Housing is a little below the national average, and rents are lower than central Montreal. Bridge traffic at rush hour is heavy, and winter ice is a factor. Crime is low, though car and bike theft happen. Waterfalls and a suspension bridge at Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudiere and the Route Verte cycling path along the river make good outings. French dominates, with limited English.
Trip planning at a glance
Peak season
June to August, fall colours (late September to mid October) and Quebec Winter Carnival in February
Nearest airport
Quebec City Jean Lesage International (YQB), 40 km by road via Highway 73 and Autoroute 40 (about 35-45 minutes
Highlights
Levis-Quebec ferry (Traversier) crossing with views of Old Quebec (about 12 minutes)
Terrasse de Levis and Vieux-Levis heritage streets
Fort No. 1 Pointe-de-Levy National Historic Site
Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudiere (waterfalls and suspension bridge)
Out of 10. Open any score to see how it’s worked out. “Data-based” scores come from published figures; “Hey! En Route estimate” scores are worked out from what we know about the city; “Hey! En Route rating” scores were set by our editors.
6.3/10Good
Connector Score8.4
17 worthwhile cities within three hours; reachable by road, intercity train, intercity bus, air, and ferry; lodging and sights for an overnight stop. Hey! En Route estimate
Safety8.8
Crime Severity Index around 45; the Canadian figure is about 80. Data-based
Affordability6.7
Cost of living index about 98, where the national average is 100. Data-based
Transportation9.0
Reachable by: road, intercity train, intercity bus, air, and ferry. Hey! En Route estimate
Car-free friendliness5.5
Intercity train or bus, plus local transit and walkability. Hey! En Route estimate
Walkability4.2
Estimated from city size and transit; no walkable downtown noted. Hey! En Route estimate
Things to do5.7
Known for 4 kinds of attraction, with 8 annual events listed. Hey! En Route estimate
Food & dining4.4
Estimated from city size and dining listings. Hey! En Route estimate
Places to stay5.9
Lodging at budget, mid-range and luxury prices. Hey! En Route estimate
Nature & outdoors3.5
Known for lakes & rivers. Hey! En Route estimate
Scenic value4.0
From its landscape: coast, mountains, lakes and parks. Hey! En Route estimate
Family friendliness4.8
Zoos, aquariums, theme parks and museums, weighted by safety. Hey! En Route estimate
Solo-traveler friendliness5.8
Safety, getting around without a car, hostels, and things to do. Hey! En Route estimate
Nightlife4.1
Estimated from city size and live music. Hey! En Route estimate
Remote-work friendliness5.7
City size, affordability, cafés and connections. Hey! En Route estimate
Road-trip convenience6.5
17 worthwhile cities within three hours’ drive, plus parking, EV charging and RV options. Hey! En Route estimate
Train-trip convenience7.0
Intercity train service, with 7 nearby cities reachable by rail. Hey! En Route estimate
Bus-trip convenience6.5
Intercity buses, with 17 nearby cities reachable by bus. Hey! En Route estimate
Ville de Levis; Quebec City's South Shore across the St. Lawrence; Vieux-Levis historic district; Terrasse de Levis viewpoint of Old Quebec; birthplace of the Desjardins cooperative movement
Founded
1647 area settled under the French seigneury of Lauzon; 1861 city of Levis incorporated; 1 January 2002 merger of ten municipalities into the present city
Languages
French (sole provincial official language under Quebec's Charter of the French Language, so French is expected on signage, commerce and public services); English understood in tourism, at hotels and the ferry terminal but not widespread; small immigrant communities speak Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese
Airports
Quebec City Jean Lesage International (YQB), about 40 km by road via Highway 73 and Autoroute 40 (about 35-45 minutes); Montreal-Trudeau International (YUL), about 250 km southwest (about 2 hours 30 minutes by car); Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon and Levis are otherwise served by small general aviation fields only
Tipping
Restaurants 15-20% of the pre-tax bill (GST and QST are added on top of listed prices, and tipping is on the pre-tax amount); bars $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of tab; taxis and rideshare 10-15%; hotel housekeeping $3-5 CAD per night; bellhops $2-5 CAD per bag; tour guides 10-15%; counter service optional (all amounts CAD; Quebec adds GST 5% plus QST 9.975%, so about 15% total tax on top of listed prices)
Community signals
Not enough responses yet to show a trend.
Lévis City Circle
For people considering Lévis, visiting soon, living there for a while, or comparing it with somewhere else.
Population 149,683 (Ville de Levis, 2021 Census) and land area 448.07 sq km are from Wikipedia (fetched). Metro figure 839,311 is the Quebec City CMA 2021 figure per the assignment; Levis is part of the Quebec City CMA, so no separate Levis CMA exists. Elevation about 50 m is approximate; coordinates from Wikipedia rounded. visitor_website and event_calendar are city of Levis tourism and events page paths recalled from memory and not confirmed by a page fetch; if they fail, use the Levis section of the regional tourism site quebec-cite.com. Some event names (marked approximate). Hotel ranges, cost of living, crime index, rent, prices and distances are approximate or from general knowledge and not verified. All money in CAD.
Last verified September 25, 2026 · Source: Research spreadsheet · Editorial ·
Vieux-Levis and Lauzon near the ferry for views and short crossing to Old Quebec
Saint-Romuald and Charny along Highways 20 and 132 for chain hotels and shopping
Saint-Nicolas for quiet accommodations
many visitors also stay in Old Quebec City and use the ferry. Tiers: motels and B&Bs
mid-range chains (Best Western, Comfort Inn and Hotel Levis)
upscale (Hotel Le Dauphin, Hotel Loyola area, boutique inns in Vieux-Levis)
Suburbs and neighboring towns
Quebec City (10 km; ferry, car via bridges, RTC bus); Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon (20 km; car); Beaumont (20 km; car); Saint-Henri (25 km; car); Saint-Apollinaire (30 km; car); Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse (25 km; car)
What a visit costs
Per person per day, with a room shared by two. Change anything below to fit your trip.
Budget
$103/day
Lodging about CA$120 a night
Mid-range
$145/day
Lodging about CA$175 a night
Luxury
$232/day
Lodging about CA$265 a night
Budget calculator
Vehicle
mpg
These are estimates from typical prices, not quotes. Real costs vary with season, events, booking time and your own habits; taxes and fees are approximate.
Cost of living
For longer stays and relocation.
Cost of living index
98 (national average = 100)
Typical 1-bedroom rent
CA$1,150a month
Median home price
CA$440,000
Research notes
Roughly 0-5% below the Canadian average and about 15-20% below large US metros (approximate); typical 1BR rent about $1,000-1,300 CAD per month on listing sites (approximate; cheaper than central Montreal)
Real estate
Buying or renting long-term: prices, trends and the rules.
Median home
CA$440,000
Mortgage calculator
Average single-family home about $400,000-480,000 CAD (Quebec City region brokers, approximate); condos about $270,000-330,000 CAD; average 1BR rent about $1,000-1,300 CAD; market trend: strong price growth 2020 to 2023 with low vacancy, slower since (approximate, not verified)
Research notes on prices and seasons
Hotels per night (CAD, before about 15% GST and QST plus 3.5% lodging tax): budget $100-140; mid-range $140-210; upscale $210-320. Peak season is June to August, fall colours (late September to mid October) and Quebec Winter Carnival in February; cheaper than Old Quebec by about 10-30%. Rough daily visitor budget excluding lodging: $85-150 CAD
Where to stay
Which part of town suits which kind of trip.
Vieux-Levis and Lauzon near the ferry for views and short crossing to Old Quebec
Saint-Romuald and Charny along Highways 20 and 132 for chain hotels and shopping
Saint-Nicolas for quiet accommodations
many visitors also stay in Old Quebec City and use the ferry. Tiers: motels and B&Bs
mid-range chains (Best Western, Comfort Inn and Hotel Levis)
upscale (Hotel Le Dauphin, Hotel Loyola area, boutique inns in Vieux-Levis)
Places to stay
2 listings in Lévis, ranked by traveller reviews. Featured listings are marked.
Safety information is a guide from public data and our research, not a guarantee. Conditions change; check local news and official advice before you go.
8.8
Excellent · Data-based
Crime Severity Index around 45; the Canadian figure is about 80.
Safety overview
Statistics Canada and Levis police data show a Crime Severity Index well below the national average (roughly 35-55, approximate); main visitor risks are car theft, break-ins and bike theft. Health care: Quebec RAMQ does not cover visitors, so travel health insurance is advisable. Hospitals: Hotel-Dieu de Levis (CISSS de Chaudiere-Appalaches) with French-first staff and limited English; Quebec City hospitals are across the river. Hazards: cold snowy winters (-10 to -25 C), freezing rain, ice on the St. Lawrence, ferry disruptions in storms. Emergency 911
Local notes
Specific places where extra care is worthwhile, especially at night. Most visits are trouble-free.
No areas widely flagged for visitors; use ordinary urban caution late at night near the ferry terminal and some parts of Lauzon and Charny where property crime and street disorder are occasionally reported; winter sidewalks and the ferry pier can be icy, and bridge traffic (Pont Pierre-Laporte and Pont de Quebec) is heavy at rush hour
Times marked “est.” are estimates: drives use typical road distances at highway speeds, and train or bus times assume both cities have service. Always check a route planner and timetables before you travel.
Route ideas
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