Citadelle of Quebec

Québec CityAttractionmilitary museum

Star-shaped walls on Cap Diamant protect an active military base and the Royal 22e Regiment Museum above the St. Lawrence.

Guide's tip. Follow the earthworks with your eyes before entering. Their low profile uses the hill itself as part of the defense. Because this remains an active base, interior access is only with a guided tour. The fall and winter schedule currently begins at 10 a.m. Walk 0.27 miles to the Plains of Abraham Museum.

On a walking tour. Stop 8 of 10 on the walking tour Quebec City, river to the art museum, every stop on a map in walking order.

Open till 17:30 · about 120 min for a visit

The story

The Citadelle of Quebec occupies the high ground of Cap Diamant as a layered fortress and active military base. Low walls, ditches and angled earthworks use the hill rather than a tall facade, shaping views across the St. Lawrence and the city. The Royal 22e Régiment Museum adds objects and exhibitions to that landscape.

Military use makes access different from an ordinary historic site. Visitors cannot wander through the fortress independently. General admission includes a 60-minute outdoor guided tour and self-guided museum access, with some historic areas presenting mobility limits.

Study the earthworks from outside before the tour and notice how little of the defense rises above the horizon. The site operates daily but changes hours by season. In fall and winter 2026, the published schedule is 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Christmas Day and New Year’s Day closures.

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Citadelle of Quebec

The story

Nearby in Québec City