Citadelle de Québec
This citadel is the largest British fortress built in North America. A unique location, it is an active military garrison, walls that enclose 300 years of military history in Quebec City spanning the French, British and Canadian periods.
A bit of history Constructed between 1820 and 1850, La Citadelle was occupied by British troops then the Canadian artillery. Since 1920 it has been the official residence of the Royal 22e Régiment, the only Francophone infantry regiment in the CF Regular Force. It is shaped like a polygon with four angles representing a star.
Authenticity and traditions La Citadelle includes two buildings constructed under the French regime, the only real gate into Old Quebec City, the official residence of the Royal 22e Régiment, the Royal 22e Régiment Museum and the residence of the Governor General of Canada. In the summer, the men and women of the Royal 22e Régiment continue military traditions by performing
ceremonies to the delight of visitors.
A place for living and sharing
La Citadelle is open to the general public for guided tours and special events. The Royal 22 e Régiment Museum organizes tours, workshops and activities for regional and provincial events.
Key dates 1693: Construction of the Redoubt of Cap Diamant on the order of the Gouvernor Frontenac. 1750: Construction of the Powder magazine by Chassegros de Léry. 1760: The British troops take place at Québec City. 1820 to 1850: Construction of the citadel. The British troops move in the citadel. 1871: The British troops gradually leave the Citadelle. 1872: La Citadelle is the second official home to the Governor General of Canada. 1920: La Citadelle becomes the Official Residence of the Royal 22e Régiment. 1924: The Croix de Vimy was offered to the Royal 22e Régiment by French. 1928: The military tradition of the Changing of the Guard begins. 1943-1944: W.L. Mackenzie King welcomed Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to La Citadelle de Québec where they developed military strategies to end the Second World War. 1950: Foundation oh the Royal 22e Régiment Museum. 1980: The Citadelle becomes a National Historic Site of Canada.
Changing of the Guard at La Citadelle de Québec A one-of-a-kind seasonal event ! - June 24 to the first Monday of September
The Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 10:00 a.m. from June 24 to the first Monday of September at the citadel parade ground.
A brief history
The Changing of the Guard has been a tradition at La Citadelle since 1928. It was suspended from 1939 to 1945, but resumed in 1946. Performed in traditional uniforms by members of the Royal 22e Régiment—the only Francophone infantry regiment in the CF Regular Force— the Changing of the Guard is a unique event in Quebec,
inspired by the Changing of the Royal Guard in England.
The ceremony The Changing of the Guard lasts for 45 minutes and takes place on the parade ground. The new guard assumes its post and relieves the old guard from its duties. This colourful, precisely choreographed ceremony involves the inspection of the troops by the officers, music by the Royal 22e Régiment Band, and the regimental mascot, Batisse the goat.
The guided tour The fee includes a guided tour of the Citadel and of the Royal 22e Régiment Museum. Visitors will not only learn about the history and the construction of the Citadel, the two museums, and the temporary exhibit, but will also enjoy a spectacular view of Quebec City and its surroundings!
Ceremonies may be cancelled due to bad weather or for operational reasons. There is no ceremony July 1st and July 3rd. These days are dedicated to the official ceremonies of Canada Day and Freedom of the City at Quebec City.
Royal 22e Régiment Museum
Founded in 1950 by Regiment members, the museum organizes guided tours of La Citadelle and its museum buildings, as well as activities and services for visitors. The museum welcomes more than 120 000 visitors by year.
A historic gem A non-profit organization, the museum has had official Canadian Forces Museum status since 1974. The museum has over 12,000 artefacts related to military life, careers and some of the archives of La Citadelle. For the most part, the collections have been donated by members of the Royal 22e Régiment and their families, as well as other Canadian or foreign military personnel and civilians.
The Museum: a sharing institution Through its collections, archives, guided tours, educational activities, publications, loans, provincial and national partnerships, the museum strives to publicize the history of La Citadelle, its resident regiment and the men and women who are its representatives in Quebec City, the province of Quebec, Canada and overseas. The museum endeavours to provide access to its knowledge base to the general public and cooperate with military, civilian and artistic museum institutions.
Reserves and archives
The museum has compiled one of the largest military collections in Canada. It covers over 300 years of history, from the French colonial period to today. Medals, uniforms, weapons and drawings, among other things, bear witness to military life on this unique site, as well as battle honours bestowed on the Regiment testifying to the bravery of French Canadians in the Royal 22e Régiment of yesterday and today.
New temporary exhibition Afghanistan behind the Veil The exhibition will be on until the end of March 2012
Now that the combat mission of the Royal 22e Régiment in Afghanistan is coming to an end, the Royal 22e Régiment Museum is presenting its new exhibition: Afghanistan behind the Veil.
The Royal 22e Régiment is the only Regular Force infantry regiment in the Canadian Forces that is francophone, and the exhibition presents a non-judgmental view of its participation in the conflict, thus giving members of the public an opportunity to learn about the regiment’s work in Afghanistan. The exhibition features objects that have been brought back from the country, documents, photographs and first-hand accounts to tell the story of the regiment’s journey.
Since 2004, 1, 2 and 3 Battalions of the Royal 22e Régiment have each, in turn, been deployed in Afghanistan. In the course of their operations, carried out jointly with the Afghan security forces, they have secured a number of areas by restricting the insurgents’ influence while protecting the Afghan people. Starting in July 2009, they began living among members of the civilian population, and they created a climate of trust based on the human interactions and the infrastructure projects that they initiated with the Afghans.
Other parts of the exhibition are devoted to Afghan culture as well as to the journalists and war correspondents who have covered the military operations on Afghan soil.
With the combat troops’ withdrawal at the end of summer 2011, this exhibition is an opportunity to showcase the work and the environment that these men and women will have contended with by the time they return to Canada.
Activities in 2011
1. Dinner theatre: June 4th, 2011
2. Open House: June 18th, 2011
3. Changing of the Guard: June 24 to September 5, 2011 Everyday at 10 a.m.
4. Fortress, Virtual Exhibit Opens at the Cercle: June 27th, 2011
5. Free and participative summer show, Je me souviens (I remember): from July 9th, every Saturday and Sundays of July, 2011. By the company Le fils d’Adrien danse (The son of Adrien dances).
6. Retreat of the Guard, July and August, 2011 Fridays and Saturdays at 6 p.m.
7. Cultural Days, October 1st, 2011
8. Opération Citadelle 3, September 16th, 2011 Incentive activity
9. Murder mystery dinner, October 21th, 2011 (date is still to be confirmed)
Information: La Citadelle and the Royal 22e Régiment Museum
Address Information and reservation Royal 22e Régiment Museum Phone: (418) 694-2815 La Citadelle Fax: (418) 694-2853 1, Côte de la Citadelle E-Mail: [email protected] Québec (Québec) G1R 4V7 Canada
Hours of operation Rates (including taxes) Open year round at seasonal hours Adults: $10,00 Closed December 25 and January 1 Adult students: $9,00 April: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Seniors (65+): $9,00 May to September: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 17 and under: $5,50 October: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Family rate: $25,00 November to March: One bilingual tour per day at 1:30 pm 7 years and under accompanied by a parent: free Groups must make a reservation at all times Special rates for groups of 20 or more adults Admission fees may change without notice
Access Distance from From Côte de La Citadelle beside the Saint-Louis Gate in • Quebec National Assembly building: 0,6 km Old Quebec • Convention Centre: 0,7 km • Palace Station: 1,3 km Free outdoor parking • ExpoCité (trade centre): 4,3 km 2 hours for cars and buse • Sainte-Foy bus station: 9,1 km Bike racks available • Sainte-Foy train station: 10 km • the airport: 14 km
In summer, with one ticket: assist to the Changing of the Guard and the guided tour of La Citadelle and the Museum.