From the time it was founded by the French in 1608 , the city of Quebec was undeniably strategic choice for the colonization of North America. The maritime entryway to the Great Lakes, it was the garrison headquarters and main stronghold of New France. Consequently its defense was a key concern during the French rule.
The Citadelle of Quebec has been a national historic site of Canada since 1980 and is located in Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage State.
Situated on the top of Cap Diamant, the city of Quebec's highest naturally point , the Citadelle dominates it's surrounding. At a high more than 100 m (330 ft) offers an exceptional view of Quebec and St.Laurence River. It's strategic defense position has earned it the nickname "Gibraltar of America".
It's star-shaped form- as seen from the sky - and the buildings within walls bear witness to the more than 300 years history from New France to the present day.
The Citadelle is North America's only historic Fortress to house an active military garrison, the Royal 22nd Regiment, which keeps military traditions alive.
The Fortress also houses the Museum of Royal 22nd Regiment, established in 1950, showcase the history of both the Citadelle and the Regiment.
The Citadelle is the living, open air museum, whose history is
written in every stone . We went around it the first day and spend some hours inside it in the second day of our visit to Quebec City. I took a lot of photos there the best of them shown in this blog-album.
We decided to visit Quebec Province (New France) in the Golden season for this side of American continent - Fall season, in the second part of October 2016. We visited new England states - on another side of the border with USA - Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Rod Island, New Hampshire and Main in the same season - Golden Fall in October 2008. This time of the year all leaves of the trees change their color form green to yellow, red and gold and all forests and silty gardens look marvelous. We walked around the city of Quebec by foot, traveled by bus to the Water Falls, continued around chocolate factory, copper art Boutique & Museum to the Shrine of Saite-Anne-De-Beaupre and back to Quebec (all about 50-60 km.) around and through forests of Golden leaves trees. We took with Margy over 100 photos, the best of them are shown in this Golden Fall Season blog-album.
