Citadelle of Quebec (La Citadelle de Quebec), Quebec City

Citadelle of Quebec (La Citadelle de Quebec), Quebec City (must see)

The Qu茅bec Citadel (La Citadelle de Quebec) has stood proudly atop Cape Diamond for nearly two centuries. Originally constructed by the British army as a precaution against a potential attack that never materialized, this fortress reflects the typical design of 17th-century French fortifications. Presently, the Citadel serves as an active military base and serves as the home of the Royal 22nd Regiment, the sole French-speaking regiment within the Canadian army.

In terms of size, the Citadel reigns supreme in North America. Since 1831, it has perched atop Cape Diamond, serving as a last-resort refuge for the garrison of Qu茅bec City in the unlikely event of an enemy incursion. Due to its strategic location and sheer magnitude, it has earned the moniker "The Gibraltar of the Americas."

The fort consists of a star-shaped stone wall with four bastions, enveloping several structures such as barracks, hangars, an armory, and a powder magazine, all designed to ensure self-sufficiency during a siege. In 1840, a hospital was even added. Interestingly, two of its buildings, the Cap-aux-Diamants Redoubt (constructed in 1693) and the powder magazine (built in 1750), date back to the French colonial period.

In 1871, peace was established with the United States, leading to the departure of British troops from the city. Subsequently, the artillery school of the Canadian militia took up residence within the Citadel. Lord Dufferin, the Governor General of Canada at the time, chose the Citadel as his official residence, a distinction it continues to hold as the governor general's secondary residence after Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

The Royal 22nd Regiment assumes the role of guardian of this remarkable military heritage. Its members continue to uphold certain traditions, including the summertime changing of the guard, when visitors have the opportunity to witness the regiment parading in full ceremonial dress, featuring a red tunic and distinctive bearskin cap. Inside the Citadel, a museum showcases a collection of weapons, uniforms, and artifacts that bear witness to 300 years of military history in the city.

Why You Should Visit:
To take beautiful panoramic photos of Quebec with a clear view of Ch芒teau Frontenac and Saint-Laurent river.
The grounds tour is quite informative and the museum has a diversity of memorabilia from various battles and wars.
The World War II exhibit is impressive given it has something most have never seen 鈥� since all similar items were destroyed.

Tip:
Be advised that the location is an active military installation and you can't just wander away during the tour or stay behind for extra picture taking after the tour is over.
If possible, go for the Changing of the Guard 鈥� you'll see a beautiful procession including the fort's mascot, a goat. The ceremony is held from June 24th to Labour Day, daily at 10am.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Quebec City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Citadelle of Quebec (La Citadelle de Quebec)
Sight Location: Quebec City, Canada (See walking tours in Quebec City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Quebec City Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Quebec City, Quebec

Create Your Own Walk in Quebec City

Creating your own self-guided walk in Quebec City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Quebec City Introduction Walking Tour

Cresting a cliff above the St. Lawrence River, Qu茅bec City (French: Ville de Qu茅bec) is the soul of the province of Qu茅bec 鈥� a place all its own; a country within a country with its own traditions, architecture, and French-speaking population.

The Algonquian people had originally named the area K茅bec, which means "where the river narrows", because the Saint Lawrence River... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Old Quebec Walk

The historic part of Quebec City known as Old Quebec (French: Vieux-Qu茅bec), sometimes also referred to as the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin), is the neighborhood centered around Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant), located on the eastern edge of Quebec hill promontory. The area comprises Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower Town (Basse-Ville) and is currently listed among UNESCO鈥檚 World Heritage Sites.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Historical Houses Walking Tour

Quebec City, particularly evocative of Europe in its atmosphere, is often referred to as the cradle of New France. The city boasts one of the richest architectural heritages in North America, though most of its buildings had to be adapted to harsh winters and the lack of specialized workers and materials in the colony. As such, the majority of local houses were designed as simple and efficient... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Qucbec City's Historical Churches Walking Tour

The first religious buildings in Canada were established by the R茅collets and Jesuits, in 1615 and 1625, respectively, when they first arrived in New France. Later on, the French colonists brought along their culture and architectural traditions, and the establishment of British and evangelical society triggered further major developments in Quebec City.

Over the course of the 17th and 18th... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

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