Photo: Jeangagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · editedLa Citadelle de Québec
- Visit: 90–120 min
- Not step-free
- Ideal for kids, teens
- Good on a rainy day
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La Citadelle de Québec is an active military fortress with a regimental museum on Cap Diamant in Old Quebec, beside the Plains of Abraham.
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Musée Royal 22e Régiment · Public domain · edited
Why go
- Views over the St. Lawrence River.
- Museum exhibitions and artifacts spanning 300 years of history.
- Part of Old Quebec’s historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
- A fortress built against a possible American attack that was never attacked.
- The commemorative chapel is the burial place of Governor General Georges Vanier and Pauline Vanier.
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 17:30Show all
Monday09:00 – 17:30
Tuesday09:00 – 17:30
Wednesday09:00 – 17:30
Thursday09:00 – 17:30
Friday09:00 – 17:30
Saturday09:00 – 17:30
Sunday09:00 – 17:30
Don't miss
- Royal 22e Régiment MuseumExplore the permanent exhibition tracing 100 years of the regiment, temporary exhibitions and the medal room, with vaulted spaces dating from 1820–1831.East Casemate at the entrance
- Noon cannonThe daily time signal dates to 1871, with a break from 1994 to 2008.CitadelleNoon
- Governor general’s residencePublic tours include the state rooms. The residence is managed separately from the Citadelle.Officer’s Barracks
Know before you go
- Visits to the fortress are guided; the museum is self-guided.
- The Citadelle is open daily from 09:00 to 17:30 and closes on 25 December and 1 January.
- Some ceremonies, including Music in Red performances, are open to the public seasonally.
What's inside
- Building 2, the Men’s Barracks, formerly served as an armoury and powder magazine. It faces the parade ground near the Prince of Wales Bastion.
- Building 20, the Ball House, is a former observatory and time-ball tower aligned on the meridian and visible from the river.
- Building 16, formerly a cooperage, houses the museum office.
With kids
- Educational activities introduce the fort’s first occupants and the Royal 22e Régiment.
Tips for your visit
- Buy tickets through the Citadelle’s website.
Tours and audio guides
- General admission
- 60-minute outdoor guided tour
- Regimental tour
- 90 minutes Covers the regiment’s battle honours and military feats, and enters places usually reserved for the regiment.
- Student tours
- Educational tours for students
Interesting facts4
-
24 mostly
The uneven star-shaped plan has four bastions, three curtain walls and 24 mostly stone buildings.
Citadelle of Quebec - Wikipedia -
The Citadelle is also an official residence of Canada’s monarch when in Quebec.
Citadelle of Quebec - Wikipedia -
Quebec artist Madeleine Arbour designed the modern residence wing’s interiors using Canadian materials.
Citadelle of Quebec - Wikipedia -
Building 5 is a former powder magazine with a gabled roof and a protective blast wall.
Citadelle of Quebec - Wikipedia (part 2)
Shorts
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The Citadelle of QuébecTravelfunwithAK
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#citadelle #quebec # shortsNous Aussi On Le Fait
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Citadelle of Quebec, Canada, an active military base with guards and …TAESEOK Moon
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The Citadelle of Québec. Changing of the GuardCompassTrails
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Citadelle Quebec City Fortress360 Family Adventure Chronicles
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Changing of the Guards at Citadelle of QuebecJin Lee
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La Citadelle de QuébecAnthony Wilson
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The Citadelle of QuébecDoing Dave Stuff
History
Samuel de Champlain recognised Cap Diamant’s strategic value and founded Quebec City at the foot of the escarpment.
- 1690A temporary defensive enclosure was built at Frontenac’s request ahead of the Battle of Quebec.
- 1693A new enclosure designed by Josué Dubois Boisberthelot de Beaucours replaced the temporary fortification.
- 1745A French defensive wall was built; part was later incorporated into the Citadelle.
- 1820–1832British engineers built the modern star fort under Elias Walker Durnford to guard against a possible American attack and shelter British troops.
- 1831The Officer’s Barracks was built.
Show all
- 1848A bombproof hospital was built inside the fort; it later served as quarters for the Royal 22e Régiment.
- 1871British forces handed the citadel to the Canadian government.
- 1872The Officer’s Barracks began serving as the governor general’s residence.
- 1920The Royal 22e Régiment made the Citadelle its home station.
- 1943–1944The Citadelle hosted conferences where Churchill, Roosevelt and King discussed World War II strategy.
- May 1950Royal 22nd Regiment personnel opened the museum.
- 1976A fire destroyed the residence ballroom and sunroom and damaged other rooms.
- 1984Restoration of the damaged residence wing was completed, with replacement state rooms.
How to get there
- On footThe entrance address is 1 Côte de la Citadelle, Quebec City, at the top of Côte de la Citadelle in Old Quebec.
Accessibility
- Museum access Ramps and adapted spaces are available for visitors with reduced mobility.
- Historic areas Some sections have access limitations.
Sources: Citadelle of Quebec - Wikipedia · Citadelle of Quebec - Wikipedia (part 2) · Citadelle of Quebec | Historic Site & Living Mu… · The Citadelle of Quebec | Hours and Admission · The Museum's Story – 75 Years of History | Temp… · Zitadelle von Québec - Wikipedia · Citadelle de Québec - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
Where
1 Côte de la Citadelle, Quebec City
- Website
- lacitadelle.qc.ca/
- Phone
- 4186942800
Questions and answers
Does La Citadelle de Québec’s 60-minute tour represent the whole visit?
It covers the outdoor guided tour; allow additional time for the self-guided museum.
Who can I contact about visiting La Citadelle de Québec?
Call 418 694 2800.
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