Visiting Montmorency Falls, Quebec: Spectacular Sight, Higher Than Niagara

Shared between Boischatel and Quebec City, the Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency ) contains spectacular scenery centred on Falls which were given their name by the Montmorency River (la rivière Montmorency ). Close to Falls, the confluence of this river occurs with the St. Lawrence River (le fleuve Saint-Laurent ).

I made a mental note to remember that these Falls were higher that the Niagara Falls of neighbouring Ontario and New York.

Some history

Samuel de Champlain named the Falls for Admiral Charles de Montmorency in 1603.

In 1759 General James Wolfe, at the Battle of Montmorency, fought nearby, suffered heavy losses. In 1780 Governor of Quebec Sir Frederick Haldimand built a manor near the top of the Falls, which subsequently changed hands many times.

Also worth seeing

The Downtown area ofQuebec City (distance: 12.7 kilometres) has historical and architectural treasures are too numerous to mention here, but make sure you see the Château Frontenac, among Canada's most famous and picturesque buildings, and the Old City.

Near the foot of the Falls is the bridge to Orleans Island (Ile d'Orléans ), with its many picturesque villages, including Sainte-Pétronille (distance: 10.3 kilometres), with its fine views of Quebec City, at the westernmost end of the island.

...

How to get there: Air Canada flies to Quebec City (Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec ) from Montreal and Toronto, with wide connections. A number of car rental companies offer service at Quebec City airport. VIA Rail maintains regular services with Montreal, Toronto and Windsor. The Montmorency Falls are situated on the edge of the Quebec City limits. Please check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.