Our morning began at la Citadelle de Québec with a guided tour which shared more than 300 years of history. We had the interesting opportunity to explore the fortress, an active garrison occupied by the Royal 22e Régiment (the only French-speaking infantry regiment in the Canadian regular army).
Built between 1820 and 1850, the Citadel, nicknamed the Gibraltar of America, is the largest British fortress in North America. Erected on the highest natural point in Québec, Cap Diamant, it played an essential role in the city's defensive system.
We arrived early, before the garrison had been installed, so we had some fun photo opportunities.
Following the Anglo-American War of 1812, the victors (the British) decided to revise their defense strategy. Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond and Governor-in-Chief, was in charge of the mandate and established a program of new constructions, built on strategic sites, to defend British North America.
Each soldier who passed by these statues saluted. Each one of the three monuments are WWI Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. It was emotional to watch their reverence.
Inside the walls are exceptional, historical buildings. The gunpowder magazine is associated with the defense of New France during the period of the Royal Government, from 1663 to 1759. The building is one of several constructed to enclose the southwest corner of Québec during the campaign of 1745 to 1759, the first major step toward establishing a permanent system of defense in Québec. It is one of the few buildings from the French Regime still standing here. It now houses the Canadian Forces Museum. Our visit here wasn't long enough.
The Former Caponiere, also known as the Shooting Gallery, was designed mostly underground to blend in visually with the fortifications. The two walls and small turret on the middle of its gable-roof are the only visible elements of this stone building. It is integrated with the ramparts and pierced with loopholes (Murder Holes according to our tour guide).
Everywhere we toured, there was something to see. I found this monument, off to one side, and somewhat alone, interesting. It is of Chief Warrant Officer Jean Couture, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean for 17 years. He was considered "a very great man, respected by all, who left his mark in the annals of the College."
This is one of two residences of the Governor General of Canada. This one was established in 1872.
Of all the cannons here, only this one is named. Rachel is Québec's second largest cannon. I wonder where the largest one is located. Hmmm.
Our last stop was a visit to the jail which is also a museum for the regiment.
How about the goat mascot? By tradition, this goat is always named Batisse. The regiment's goat is a descendant of the one presented to the unit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 (which, in turn, was the descendant of a goat given to Queen Victoria from the Shah of Iran in 1844). History can be found in some very unique forms.
We chose visiting the Citadel when we did because we wanted to witness the über cool musical performance by the Regiment’s musicians. Decked out in their scarlet regimental dress and bearskin hats, this performance on the parade ground in the heart of the fortress, was a must.
If you would like to see all the military magicalness for yourself, here is a 30 second video giving you a brief glimpse of what we witnessed.
We concluded our day here at Le toit-terrasse du Diamant. This terrace, on the top of the YMCA building (1880), is only open in the summer. “Perfect for a romantic aperitif or with friends, you will have an exceptional view of Old Québec.”
I had the Moût de Pomme Rosé, a sparkling apple must (must is defined as freshly crushed fruit juice that contains the skins, seeds, and stems of the fruit)with a pleasant touch of red fruits and summer flowers. While it was just a sparkling apple juice, it really did scream "Summer" and looked pretty.
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