Citadelle de Quebec, Quebec

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This is an active military installation next to the Plains of Abraham.It was built in the British Colonial period to defend the city against an invasion by the Americans. You have to see it as part of an hourly tour and includes the Royal 22nd Regiment Museum. Interesting and great for views of the city.

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The military strongholds of Quebec are not only an historic reference and one more similarity with Europe, but also a remarkable sightseeing point over the river.

Well kept and maintained, concrete and lawns join in a wide and pleasant ensemble, and you may visit the military museum.

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The Citadelle is the home station of the Royal 22e Régiment of the Canadian Forces since 1920. In addition to its use as a military installation, it has been also an official residence of the Governor General of Canada since 1872[1], who by tradition resides there for several weeks out of the year. (The Governor General's primary official residence is Rideau Hall in Ottawa.) This citadel is part of the fortifications of Quebec City, the only city with extant city walls in North America.

The first protective wall (enceinte) was built in the 17th century under Louis de Buade, sieur de Frontenac. A plan of fortifications was developed by the French military engineer Jacques Levasseur de Néré (1662–1723) and approved by Louis XIV's commissary general of fortifications Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban in 1701. Considerable work took place on the fortifications after the fall of Louisbourg in 1745 under the direction of military engineer Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry.

The existing star-shaped fortifications were built by the United Kingdom between 1820 and 1831 under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Elias Walker Durnford of the Royal Engineers, and incorporated a section of the French "enceinte" of 1745. Their purpose was to secure the strategic heights of Cape Diamond against the Americans and to serve as a refuge for the British garrison in the event of attack or rebellion. The preservation of much of the fortifications and defences of Quebec is due to the intervention of Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, Governor General of Canada 1872–1878, who also established the Citadelle as a vice-regal residence.

The Quebec Conferences of 1943 and 1944, in which Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and William Lyon Mackenzie King discussed strategy for World War II, were held at the Citadelle of Quebec.

We enjoyed touring the grounds and watching the changing of the guard. The Museum gift shop was filled with products viewing La Citadelle, the Guards with their scarlet uniforms made by the Économusée des Dames de soie, tin soldiers of the Royal 22e Régiment, goat soaps from La savonnerie of Ile d’Orléans, pictures of la Citadelle by photograph Eugen Kedl, aprons, children plays, blank notes, clothes, etc.

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If one place epitomizes the phrase "je me souviens", then it's the Citadel. It's home to the illustrious Royal 22nd Regiment, which has seen action in both world wars, the Korean War, and Afghanistan. This is still a working army garrison, so visitors are allowed to go in only with guided tour groups. Tours will include the Changing of the Guard, a look around the post, a visit to the museum, and of course a trip to the gift shop.

The museum, housed in the former gunpowder magazine, is worth the price of admission. It contains artifacts and exhibits from the entire history of this regiment. Note the Regimental Goat. This mascot plays a prominent role in the Changing of the Guard.

La Citadelle is an active military garrison, a national historical site and also known as the Gibraltar of America. This citadel is part of the fortifications of Quebec City, the only city with extant city walls in North America.
It is the best place to begin a trip into the military past and present of Québec City. There is also a small shop where you can buy a lot of stuff related to the Canadian Military.
Outdoor parking is free

After they had trouble taking over Quebec City from the French, the English were determined to hold it. In 1820 they build this low-slung citadelle on the coast called the "Gibralter of America," over a period of 30 years.

Let's be honest, it's closed during the winter, so I didn't see much. In summer, there is a changing of the guard ceremony.

It doesn't dominate the skyline like some other more famous castles in Europe. But it adds to the effect of the city walls, it is still a functional military establishment, and it looks good in snow.

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Plan on spending at least 2 hours here if you want to see the Changing of the Guard (only in the summer) and go on the guided tour afterwards, the Changing of the Guard lasted at least 45 minutes and the guided tour lasts about an hour. Since it's an active military installation, you must go on a guided tour.

The star shaped Citadel sits just outside the city walls. The first fort was built on this sight in 1783 to protect the British from the threat of invasion by the Americans, after the war of 1812 the fortress wall were built to connect with the city walls. The star shape is a French design, the points of the star allowing for easy fire on approaching enemies.

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There are three things about the Citadel that made me chuckle. First, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, that you encounter that works at the Citadel warns you that the Changing of the Guard will not take place if it rains and that you will not get your money back if it's canceled. Aren't these guys soldiers? Shouldn't they be able to handle getting wet? Would they call off a battle because of inclement weather? And what about the poor guys on duty, do they have to stay for another 24 hours because their replacements are afraid to get their beaver hats all wet?

Second, the mascot is a goat. I think that's funny. I suppose they found that beavers were hard to train and chickens......OK, I'm not going there ;-)

Third, the Citadel was finished in 1832, after all the attacks on the city had finished up. Good things as the soldiers, and probably the goat too, are afraid to get wet.

Practical information:

*The Changing of the guard takes place daily at 10 am
*We've already covered that they will not, under any circumstances, hold it in the rain or refund your money if it doesn't take place.
*The ceremony takes around 45 minutes at which time no one is guarding the fort. Note to foreign invaders, this is when you should attack.
*45 minutes is about 35 minutes longer than the ceremony held anyone's interest, including the goat who I'm pretty sure I saw yawn.
*The goat's name is Batisse X, the original goat, Batisse I, was a gift from Queen Victoria (was she not fond of Canada?)