Treat Yourself at This Unique Quebec City Wellness Center

I haven’t been to a spa or wellness center before. A Quebec City wellness center called Le Monastere des Augustines was my first. Before this experience, spending money on myself this way was a new concept, so I now fully support treats like this!

What was once a hospital and cloistered home for nuns is now a holistic wellness center in the heart of the city. The restored Canadian National Historic Site offers visitors a unique wellness experience, including a restaurant and many holistic health programs. You can even stay overnight in an authentic 17th-century cell and make it a weekend affair.

Le Monastere des Augustines is a must if you want to treat yourself while in Quebec City. Keep reading to learn what to expect during your visit.

First Impressions + History

I loved my visits to Le Monastere des Augustines. Yes, I went multiple times during my week-long stay in Quebec City. The calm atmosphere and my own intrigue drew me in.

The history of the property and the Augustinian sisters is fascinating. The sisters arrived in Quebec in 1639 with just one mission: to care for the sick. They created a network of hospitals in the area over the centuries; this one is the very first.

It is fascinating that the sisters’ combined their dedicated religious lives and innovative take on balancing modern medicine and holistic health. As a non-religious person interested in holistic health and self-care, I want to learn more about the sisters.

Plus, as soon as I entered the building, I just felt more relaxed and at ease. It’s such a tranquil setting, and I wanted as much of that feeling as possible before heading home to another busy summer on Cape Cod.

Things to do at Le Monastere des Augustines

Visitors are welcome to visit the museum, attend a yoga class, shop at the boutique, eat at the restaurant, or get a massage in a single visit.

Tour the Museum

Tour the museum to learn the centuries-long history of the center and the sisters through their vast collection of artifacts and interpretive signs (in French and English). I loved learning how the hospital developed over the years into the innovative and dynamic holistic wellness center it is today. 

Le Monastère des Augustines is the site of the first hospital north of Mexico, established nearly four centuries ago. It was here that they cared for the wounded and sick during many battles in Quebec between France and Britain over the years.

In all, these pioneering women established twelve hospitals in the area and laid the foundation for Quebec’s current health care system. 

General admission to the museum for adults is $10 for an unguided tour and $15 for a guided tour. Discounted prices are available for seniors, children, and students. 

I suggest going for the hour-long guided tour for a richer, more personal experience. 

Practice Yoga, Meditation, and Breathing Exercises

There are daily morning, midday, and evening yoga classes. The class I took was in the basement of the building, which used to be the root cellar. Ceilings are low, and original construction is visible in the walls, archways, and stone floors. Windows are spare and small, but a coat of white paint brightens them up. 

According to their website, they design classes to “stimulate and harmonize the body while promoting self-reflection and renewal.” The hour-long classes combine stretching and simple poses that anyone can do. Yoga mats, blankets, and other props are available to use. 

I enjoyed the slow, meditative flow of the yoga class I participated in. We also practiced cardiac coherence during that class, a breathing technique recognized for its benefits on stress, anxiety, sleep, attention, and concentration. 

The drop-in price for yoga classes is $15 (arrive a 1/2 hour before class). 

Get a Massage

Le Monastere des Augustines offers various professional massage services ranging from 30-minute to 90-minute sessions. Choose from a variety of combinations to suit your personal needs. 

I was skeptical after the “massage” I had on the beach in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (which I did NOT enjoy), so I opted for the shorter 30-minute Discovery Massage because it was my first time experiencing a massage at a real wellness facility.

After filling out the health questionnaire, the masseuse and I talked about what I did for work and my neck/shoulder injury when I was rear-ended in 2012. She wanted to know where I experienced the most chronic pain in my back so she could focus on that area.

Well, we spoke about it as best as we could because I don’t speak French very well and she didn’t speak English very well, but we got by just fine. 

The room she brought me to was warm, dimly lit, and peaceful. It smelled of fresh herbs and essential oils. Once the massage began, she held her hands, freshly rubbed with lavender oil, by my face once I was on the massage table, which relaxed me even more.

Afterward, she provided me with a list of natural products I could use to ease the pain and tension in between massages. She also urged me to continue healing my old injury with monthly massages. Or at least every other month.

So far, I’ve been able to follow that advice one time in the months since my trip to Quebec. 

Prices for massage services range from $30 to $165. Types of massages include an introductory Discovery Massage (the one I chose), Invigorating Facial Massage, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, and Reflexology Massage, among others. 

Read more about what they offer here. 

Eat at the Restaurant

Having a meal at the onsite restaurant at Le Monastere des Augustines is a must. After the yoga class I took, I was so ready for lunch. After reading the menu and learning about the thought and care put into preparing the meals, I knew I couldn’t pass up the experience. 

According to the sister’s balanced health and wellness philosophy, they prepare wholesome meals according to their traditions and current nutritional research. Ingredients are mostly organic and sourced locally whenever possible. The menu changes daily according to what is in season and most abundant, and they can accommodate most dietary needs and restrictions.

The setting promotes mindful eating practices, reminding you to turn your electronics off to pay attention to the food you are consuming and the company you may have. I did unplug and have a great conversation with a fellow travel blogger, but we had to photograph everything!

For lunch that day, there were three options to choose from. I chose confit rabbit leg, mustard sauce, carrot puree with cumin and orange, and maple-glazed beets (see above). 

To give you an idea of the variety of food they offer, these were the two other options:

• Cabbage stuffed with quinoa, sweet potato, kale, and carrots with turmeric, shallot, and mustard vinaigrette. 
• Salmon steak with green pea coulis, lemon rabiole (white turnip), hemp, dill, and bok choy. 

Each lunch entree includes soup, salad, and bread from the self-serve counter. Choose from a variety of cold, fresh salads and greens. There were a couple of different soups and fresh rolls from which to choose. I wanted to taste them all, so I sampled a little of each. 

Also included with your meal is your choice of hot herbal tea and a small treat at the end.

You can also order caffeinated beverages, local wine, fresh juice, and smoothies for an additional cost. I enjoyed a nice glass of local wine with my lunch because I was officially on my birthday vacation.

I left full, satisfied, and feeling like my body was truly nourished. 

All meals are open to guests of the hotel and the general public and have a fixed price, which includes a 15% gratuity but does not include tax. For the top-notch quality, taste, and atmosphere, this is the best deal in Quebec City!

• Breakfast $20.12 (about $15 USD)
• Lunch a la carte $26.45 (about $20 USD)
• Dinner $27.60 (about $21 USD)

Some things to consider when making plans to dine at Le Monastere des Augustines: 

• Breakfast is served in silence, a long-standing ritual of the sisters.
• At lunch, a soup and salad only option and a vegetarian dish with herbal tea option are also available for $17.80 (about $13 USD) each. 
• Reservations are mandatory for dinner, and you must make them before 5 pm. 

Shop at the Boutique

While you are waiting or before you head out, pop in the boutique to browse the products they have for sale. Choose from a selection of items to “enhance your stay or prolong the experience after your return home. 

Among the products are essential oils, yoga props, lotions, and soaps. Many are handmade and locally sourced. I bought a bottle of Inspirata Yoga, a relaxing essential oil roll-on that I thought smelled just like the monastery. It reminds me of the time I spent there every time I use it. 

It’s a mixture of essential oils, including eucalyptus, hyssop, lavender, rosehip, sandalwood, sunflower, and grapefruit. It’s both refreshing and relaxing and helps quiet mental chatter. I use it all the time, like before doing yoga and before going to bed. 

Lunch at the boutique is a nice alternative to dining at the restaurant. They offer a variety of salads, sandwiches, cold drinks, and snacks. Sit at a table overlooking the main entrance, or sit in the sun on a bench outside if the weather is nice.

Stay Overnight

I did not stay overnight at the monastery, but I could see myself planning a weekend retreat for myself sometime.

There are two types of rooms to choose from – Authentic and Contemporary.

The Authentic rooms (pictured above), designed to look like the traditional sleeping quarters of the sisters, are simple and fresh. They include a single bed (private or double occupancy), a sink and mirror, and shared bathrooms in the hallway.

The Contemporary rooms (pictured below) had some updates made during renovations of the property. These rooms feature king, queen, or single beds (private or double occupancy) and a full private bathroom.

All rooms include a workspace, storage of some kind, natural fiber linens, and central air-conditioning. Televisions and telephones are not present in any rooms to encourage a fully immersed and mindful experience.

Your stay includes breakfast and access to the museum (self-guided) and common rooms.

I was surprised to learn the prices of overnight stays were very affordable. I thought it would be expensive considering the tranquil atmosphere and the high quality of the rooms and property. 

The price ranges from $85-$141 per night, depending on the room type and the number of guests. Use my favorite accommodation booking site to reserve your room at Le Monastere des Augustines for guaranteed free cancelation.

Personalize Your Stay with a Spa Package

Visitors can create a personalized spa retreat by choosing treatments and activities a la carte or opt for one of several packages with a range of inclusions, like:

• three full meals each day of your stay at the center’s restaurant
• holistic health consultations
• massages
• reflexology
• private movement sessions
• access to all fitness sessions
• aromatherapy, and more

Contact Le Monastere des Augustines directly to discuss and book your wellness package.

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Le Monastere des Augustines provided a private yoga class and guided tour of the museum and hotel to the Women In Travel Summit attendees. I loved it so much that I treated myself to lunch afterward and a massage during another visit. All opinions are, of course, my own.

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