See & do · Landmarks & architecture
La Citadelle de Québec
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Images provided by Google Places
Complex featuring a long-standing active fort, plus a museum & changing of the guard ceremonies.via Google
An active military installation and the largest British-built fortress in North America, featuring a star-shaped design.
- Good to know
- Access is by guided tour only; tickets are in the mid-range price band and include entry to the Royal 22e Régiment Museum.
Reviews from Google
First, you can only enter with an organized tour which happens on the hour. We misjudged how long to get to the front gates from old town on the icy winter streets. Arrived at 10:10, so waited for the 11 am tour in the museum exhibition (indoors and heated so great). The tour guide was a great Scottish lady (sorry I didn’t catch your name). She was very enthusiastic and her jokes were understood. We ended the tour with the daily canon firing, so would recommend to everyone to do the 11 am tour to have the full experience.
What a wonderful spot. We booked a tour an hour ahead of time and had no issues getting tickets. We weren't sure what to expect, but were incredibly impressed. The hour-long tour was well worth the ticket price, and our tour guide, William, was friendly and knowledgeable. He even stuck around the museum after the tour to talk about the artifacts and stories behind them. It's well worth taking the time to visit.
Must visit place while in the Quebec area. Historic 19th-century fortress still in active military use. Home of the Royal 22 Regiment. Guided tours are highly recommended and praised for being informative and engaging (tour guides are very informative). Changing of the Guard ceremony is a must see. Panoramic views of Québec City and the St. Lawrence River from the top Pros: Great guided tours, Scenic location Cons: Limited self-guided access and tickets may run out very quickly, vehicle parking can be tricky due to the narrow roads and limited space Highly recommend visitors to book tours ahead and wear comfortable shoes. ( note that the tour is offered in French and English)
The Citadel is still an active military installation and in the summer months, it is the part-time residence of the Governor General of Canada. It is the largest British fortress built in North America and sits atop Cape Diamond. It is significant because of the strategic value of Cape Diamond. Samuel de Champlain recognized this in 1608, and because of that, he decided to found Quebec City at its base. Since Cape Diamant, as Champlain knew it, was basically insurmountable, the only side of the settlement ever needing to be fortified was the west, which was not protected by the hill. The citadel forms part of the fortifications of Quebec City, which is one of only two cities in North America still surrounded by fortifications. The outside walls were largely constructed between 1820 and 1831. At the beginning of WWII, the leaders of Canada, England, and the US met here to plan strategy for this world-wide war. The Citadel was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, in 1946.
The Citadelle of Québec is a really interesting place go to if you’re a history and/or military buff. Keep in mind you will not be able to explore the grounds by yourself as it is an active military site. You can buy tickets in person but I would recommend you buy them online as there’s a limit to how many people that can join each group. You can guarantee your spot by purchasing online. The guide will walk you around the ground and point out interesting facts about the equipment and buildings. It’s definitely a unique experience and a good change of pace if you’re looking to mix it up a little.