Changing of the guard

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(CÉRÉMONIE ANNULÉE POUR LA SAISON 2022)

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Quebec's only Changing of the Guard Ceremony (CANCELED)

Daily from June 24 to Labour day (first Monday of September) at 10 a.m.


The Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 10 a.m. in summer on the Citadelle's parade grounds. The ceremony marks the arrival of new sentries to relieve those on duty at the garrison. It is a colourful military tradition and includes the inspection of the guard by the officers, the Regimental Band, and the regimental mascot Batisse the Goat.


A brief history

The Changing of the Guard has been a tradition at the Citadelle of Québec since 1928 except for a brief hiatus between 1939 and 1945. The ceremony features soldiers of the Royal 22e Régiment decked out in their scarlet regimental dress and bearskins as the "new guard" relieves the "old guard" after 24 hours of sentry duty at the Citadelle's entrance.

It is based on the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and is the only such ceremony in the province—a must-see experience for visitors to Quebec's capital!

 

Admission

Included with Citadelle and Museum admission.

Important to arrive 15 minutes before the ceremony starts.


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Duration

35 minutes
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Information

By Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Phone: 418 694-2815

  • There is no Changing of the Guard on July 1 and July 3 because of official ceremonies for Canada Day and the Freedom of the City.
  • The ceremony may be cancelled due to bad weather or for operational reasons.
  • A limited number of chairs are available for persons with restricted mobility. By reservation.