le Citadelle de Quebec

In my previous 3 trips to Quebec City, I have never had a chance to visit the "castle" at the top of the town. Two weeks ago, I took the Saturday before the party to wander the Plains of Abraham and learn a little more about the active fortification.

The Plains of Abraham are the site of a 1759 encounter  between British  and French forces as part of the Seven Years' War. At the time,  there  was only a small fortification at the location of the current Citadelle. The  Marquis de Montcalm led his forces  out of the city, where they were defeated by the British under general James Wolfe. A few years later, the British ordered the construction  of  a fortress (in the French style!) to defend  against a possible attack by rebellious Americans  to the south. 

In addition to a fortress, the British also built 4 Martello Towers on the site of the former battlefield. In  theory, they would prevent the enemy from directly besieging the Citadelle. Niether the fort  nor the towers were ever used. An example of an ounce of prevention?

Today, the  Citadelle  is still the headquarters  of the Royal 22nd Regiment, complete with camo-clad soldiers and guards in  bearskin  hats. There are trophies from the conflicts the R22R has served in, from the World Wars to Afghanistan.

Sherman Firefly from Korea

A trophy from WWII

Looking up to the battlements

Quebec, from the top of the wall