Welcome to the Plains of Abraham

NEW
The snowshoer's walk
Reservations required, places limited: 418 649-6157
In English (at 4 p.m.): February 6 and 13, 2010.
In French (at 7 p.m.): January 16 and 30, February 5, 12 and 27, March 6, 2010. $23/13-64 years old, $20/8-12 years old, 65 years old and over.

Join a 20th century snowshoer as you set off on a winter stroll
to explore the winter sports and recreation of this bygone era.
Snowshoes, lantern and hot chocolate included.

Press release

Take advantage of the school break to enjoy yourself in Quebec City's largest playing field. Skiing? Snowshoeing? A rally? A multimedia show? You are spoiled for choice. Whether you play out in the open or indoors, sheltered from the elements, The National Battlefields Commission invites you to loosen up and take part in the historically exciting or "simply" entertaining activities. For the enjoyment of all ages.

Odyssey multimedia exhibition
Every day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take a virtual 400-year trip with Odyssey, a multimedia exhibition devoted to the Plains of Abraham. Thanks to the magic of multimedia, you will follow in the footsteps of the first European explorers, immerse yourself in a conflict that stretched from the French dream to the British occupation and attend in person the birth of Canada. By the same token, you will live a fascinating adventure on the site that witnessed the birth of the country!
Fee: two admissions for the price of one
(Regular fee: $8/adult, $7/13-17 year-olds or people over 65).
Free for children 12 years old or less when accompanied by an adult.
Details regarding the Odyssey multimedia exhibition

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Winter Pedestrian Rally
Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
Put on your hiking boots and join in the family rally to discover the history of the Plains of Abraham. Under the lovely white snow cover are hidden intriguing discoveries and, to add some spice, a few trick questions… Relive the park's history by tackling fascinating subjects: What was the role of the governor to whom we owe the famous trophy of the Canadian football league? What is Joan of Arc doing on the Plains? Who was Edwin Bélanger? Is there a haunted labyrinth in the Martello Towers? Who gave his name to Gilmour Hill? And what can we say about the O Canada? So, get ready to discover your park and its history.
Starting point at the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham. Questionnaire and answers available on the premises.
Download the rally

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and walking trails
Every day. Free.
Enjoy nature in the heart of Quebec City. Ski, snowshoe and walk in one of the most attractive and accessible natural settings. 14 km of laid out trails for classic or free style cross-country skiing for beginners or intermediate level skiers; 5.6 km of snow sidewalks for hikers; a new 6-km marked-out snowshoe path (round trip), south of the nature trail along Cap-aux-Diamants up to Gilmour Hill (starting near the Cap Blanc stairs).
Details regarding cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

The "Friends of the Plains of Abraham" society offers equiment rental service every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Discovery Pavilion. A trail map is available in the various service points of the park. A waxing room (at the playing field) and two heated stops are provided for hikers and cross-country skiers (at the Discovery Pavilion and at the Pavilion, near Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand).
- Automatic info-line for trail conditions: 418 648-4212.
- Equipment rental (adults and children): 418 648-2586.

The snowshoer's walk
Reservations required, places limited: 418 649-6157
In French (at 7 p.m.): February 27, March 6. $23/13-64 years old, $20/8-12 years old, 65 years old and over.
Guided old-time snowshoe tours. Join a 20th century snowshoer as you set off on a winter stroll to explore the winter sports and recreation of this bygone era. Snowshoes, lantern and hot chocolate included.
Press release

Parking (fee-charging) available behind the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham and eating space available indoors (bring your snack).

Winter military camp in New France
On the park, behind the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham
Information: 418 649-6157
Saturday March 6, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free

The Plains of Abraham will welcome a military camp worthy of New France. The National Battlefields Commission, in collaboration with the Quebec Garrison and the Bombardiers-Gunners, offer to take you on a time-travel jaunt with some ten militiamen and soldiers dressed in period uniforms who made up the forces of the colony. These volunteers – history buffs – will exchange with visitors on their equipment, on the tactics used to face the colony’s enemy and their living conditions during a winter campaign in New France. The purpose of this free event is help visitors learn more about the situation during the Battles of the Snowshoe war and the battle of Sainte-Foy (April 28, 1760).

During the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), the North American winter led to two confrontations between the French and the British: the Battles of the Snowshoes. These clashes occurred on January 21, 1757 and March 13, 1758 on the shores of Lake Champlain (currently straddling the United States and Canada). During the first confrontation, a group of Rogers Ranger scouts fell into an ambush set up by French, Canadian and Amerindian troops, forcing the scouts to withdraw to Fort William Henry, a major British post located in the south of New France. The second face-off led to two ambushes: the first, laid by British forces, put to flight one of the two French interception units; the second one, however, orchestrated by Ensign de Langy and some Amerindians, decimated the British troops, who were forced to flee.

The Great Celebration of Nature
Corner of Briand and de Bernières streets
East of Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
Information: 418 649-6157
Sunday May 24, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With the hand of Mr. Ketchup, Julienne and many children, Louise Germain (National Battlefields Commission), Pierre Godbout (Canadian Forest Service - Natural Resources Canada) and Maryse Cléro-Nobrega (Association forestière Québec métropolitain) participated to the traditional planting fo a tree at the Great Celebration of Nature, held on the Plains of Abraham last May 24.

The National Battlefields Commission invites horticulture, nature and environment enthusiasts to attend the 14th edition of the Great Celebration of Nature taking place on Sunday March 24, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Plains of Abraham’s greenhouses. 20 exhibitors will be there to share their vast expertise about several subjets. And it’s free !

The general public will be able to take in those lovely spring smells and imagine the park’s fabulous centennial colour arrangeme nts based on the new floral production of the Plains of Abraham greenhouses, among the oldest still in operation in Québec. Old garden implements will be displayed next to more modern tools.

This open-house day will be a unique opportunity for you to enter the greenhouses and find out where approximately 50,000 plants used to beautify the park grounds are grown. Discover the secrets of these traditional greenhouses at the forefront of ornamental horticulture: Why are the windows painted? What’s a hotbed? When does the work schedule start in the greenhouses? The National Battlefields Commission’s horticulturists will be pleased to let you in on their secrets, and give horticultural pointers to budding gardeners.

Congratulations
The winner is Mrs. Paulette Moisan from Québec City. Thank you for filling in the survey on the Great Celebration of Nature 2009.

Canada Day
Information: 418 649-6157
July 1st, 2009

It’s open house at the park. Be part of the history of the Plains of Abraham by visiting the park’s attractions without cost on this Canada Day: Odyssey multimedia exhibition and Martello Tower 1

Plaines Couleurs painting symposium
Around Joan of Arc Garden
More details at www.plainescouleurs.com
May 15 to September 7, 2009

The 2nd edition of Plaines Couleurs painting symposium will gather painters around the Joan of Arc Garden. Scheduled for May 15, 16, 17, 18, August 14, 15, 16, September 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2009. Still time to register.

The Chambers Gang Trial
September 18 and 19, 2009
7:30 p.m., at the Chapelle de la Congrégation (20, Dauphine street, Québec City) and Morrin Centre (44, chaussée des Écossais)
Cost : $15 / person, Not recommanded for 12 years old or less
In French only
Reservation required: 418 649-6157

Discover the fate dealt of Charles Chambers, this criminal who scoured the region in 1834-1835. Charged with several crimes, including theft at Mrs Montgomery’s house, he was captured by the authorities after taking refuge on the Plains of Abraham with his gang of thugs. Be there at his trial, when a parade of witnesses will be called to testify. What kind of sentence will Chambers be handed: hanging, deportation or imprisonment? You will also get a chance to visit an actual jail cell in the old Quebec prison, see some exhibits and many more surprises.

Make the most of the Cultural Days 2009 to improve your historical knowledge. The National Battlefields Commission, which commemorate the 250th anniversary of the battles of Québec, invites you to take part in two highly interesting activities, entirely free of charge.

Participate in the pedestrian self-guided tour covering some 4.6 km and discover over 25 points of interest connected with the great Québec battles: the place where each general was mortally wounded, the new combatant memorial, etc.

Created a little more than a century ago, the National Battlefields Park groups together the Plains of Abraham and Des Braves Park among other things. It was the scene of clashes between the British and French Empires in search for the world hegemony. The famous battle of September 13, 1759, which changed the fate of North America, took place on the Plains of Abraham. A few months later on April 28, 1760, the fighting between the two powers went on a little further west (Des Braves Park) during the Battle of Sainte-Foy.

Departure: itinerary available at the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham, 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, level 0, Québec (east of Drill Hall)

Schedule:
- Friday September 25, 2009, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;
- Saturday September 26, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.;
- Sunday September 27, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Brown Basin visit and demonstrations

The persons in charge of the project Reproductions of historical objects at the Commission scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin will be on site with some thirty youths to introduce and crown the winners of the educational activity that gave rise to Student Masterworks, an exhibition of reproductions of New France historical objects created by secondary school students.

One hundred and forty reproductions of furniture, clothing and other historical objects belonging to the 1608-1759 period will be on display. These masterly works meticulously created by 175 award-winning students were selected among those of approximately 800 secondary level students from five different schools.

Place: Brown Basin, 615 E. Champlain Blvd, Québec (at the bottom of the Cap Blanc stairs)

Schedule: Sunday September 27, 2009, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Decoration at the Joan of Arc Garden
Throughout October, 2009
Day or evening, at the Joan of Arc Garden
Free access

In her magnificent fall garden, Joan of Arc plays host during the month of October to mysterious legendary decorations evocative of the Plains of Abraham history: the white lady of Cape Diamond, the Sabbath, Halloween lives on, the voices of Joan of Arc, the Corriveau, the widow’s walk, the white “Credo 1941” stone, phantoms behind bars, etc.

Several tombstones will remind strollers of the personalities who left their mark on the park.

Haunted tower and fantastic rally
Sundays, October 4, 11 and 18, 2009
From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Martello Tower 2 and Joan of Arc Garden
Cost: $2/person

Bold youngsters will venture inside the haunted tower and its labyrinth, which is sometimes dark but always amazing. Many surprises, just a little scary, await them: the spatial lab, treasure island, scarecrows and witches, mummy and graveyard… even Harry Potter will join the party! A fantastic rally will then invite the bravest to the Joan of Arc Garden for a self-guided tour in which even five-year-olds will get a chance to ask mini-questions.

Guided lantern tour of the park
October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31, 2009 (in French only)
At 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., starting off point at 390, de Bernières
Cost: $12/person (13 years and older), reservations required
(tour available in English upon request for groups of 12 people or more)

Accompanied by the Corriveau or British officer James Murray, join this captivating interactive walking tour and discover the Plains in a more ghoulish light. Formerly a remote area in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the Plains were shielded from prying eyes, and the perfect spot for crime, prostitution, bloody punishments, even executions. This remarkable tour will uncover the park’s gloomiest tales by lantern light: the Corriveau’s hanging, the Joan of Arc’s execution, the Sabbath and black masses, the treasures buried under the Plains, the legend of the while lady of Cape Diamond, the enigmatic white stone, the punishments dealt out to soldiers of the Martello towers, thefts, and more.

Council of War at the Martello Tower 2
October 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31, 2009 (in French only)
7 p.m. at Martello Tower 2
Cost: $35/18-64 years old, $32/13-17 years old or 65 and over, reservations required
(activity available in English upon request for groups of 35 people or more)

Become witness and suspect during an 1814 mystery dinner and unmask the traitor hidden among you. Ten participants will be selected to play the parts of Charles-Michel de Salaberry, Laura Secord and other witnesses of this era. Your skills and deductive abilities will be put to use. This council of war, presided over by Captain John Le Breton or Lady Elizabeth Lake, promises to be memorable: period plot, military competition, stories about military life, the diet and work or soldiers in barracks, and interpretation of the Martello Tower, a unique defensive work in Québec.

Family day and costume parade
Sunday October 25
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Joan of Arc Garden and Martello Tower 2
Cost: $2/person

At Martello Tower 2, the most daring will roam the haunted tower labyrinth and sample unusual candies. The most resourceful will also get a chance to board the mini-train for a tour of the garden, have fun in the giant period games and inflatable amusements, ogle mysterious decorations, participate in a fantastic rally and run into weird but friendly characters. At the UNICEF booth, youngsters will get a chance to decorate a pumpkin.

And parents and children will slip into their most becoming costumes to strut down Grande Allée with princesses, sorcerers and monsters.

The UNICEF Halloween Campaign
Throughout the month of October, children in Québec will prepare for Halloween! They will call on the generosity of the people around them as they organize fund-raising events to help ensure that thousands of children from Malawi and Rwanda can get a good basic education. Through its program Schools for Africa, UNICEF is helping build new schools, repair and restore existing ones, supply drinking water to the schools and ensure that the teaching staff receives adequate training. Catherine Brunet, Québec’s UNICEF ambassador, and the charming small Cyclops character called Léon, the new UNICEF Halloween campaign ambassador, are delighted to join forces with this long standing tradition! For additional information on the campaign, visit the site www.trickortreatforunicef.ca.

A great celebration!
On November 20, 2009, the world will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and will take stock of the progress made towards implementing children’s rights world-wide, including in Québec. Numerous activities will mark this 20th anniversary and, for the occasion, Les Éditions La courte échelle have published a book featuring the Léon character so that children can learn about their rights in an instructive and recreational manner. For additional information on the November 20th activities, visit the site www.unicef.ca/20convention.

During the Québec Winter Carnival
Information: 418 649-6157
January 29 to February 14, 2010

Get warmed up at the Discovery Pavilion of the Plains of Abraham. When you present your carnival effigy you can get a $1 discount on admission fees to the Odyssey Multimedia Exhibition.

Québec City treats itself to an odyssey
Information: 418 649-6157
Saturdays and Sundays in January and February

Québec City’s residents will be admitted free to the Odyssey Multimedia Exhibition by submetting a proof of residence. Pretend you’re a tourist visiting your own city and get to know this important chapter of your history.