Québec City, Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – On Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, the Plains of Abraham will host a new edition of Battlefields, a historical reenactment presented this year on the theme of Québec City under Siege. It will be a major gathering for historians, history presenters, and reenactors organized by the National Battlefields Commission (NBC). Free and open to everyone, it is expected to draw several thousand visitors.
For two days, over 200 people of all ages—from different parts of Quebec, as well as from Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the United States—will recreate military and civil life from the 17th and 18th centuries. Men, women, and children, including First Nations members, will bring to life a camp from that period and realistically depict the realities of those times of war.
Visitors may freely walk through the camps, talk with the participants, go into Martello Tower 1, and attend a series of historical demonstrations and activities. They will learn more about the military strategies, the fortifications, the alliances with the First Nations and their participation in the different conflicts, the life in the camps, the harsh wartime reality of local inhabitants, and much more. The most spectacular moments will include gun and cannon firing of blank rounds, to be presented continuously throughout the day. Each demonstration will have a bilingual assistant on hand to help visitors fully understand the methods of warfare of another day and age.
“The event has become, over the years, a must-see for the public at large and for history buffs. Its renown, its magnitude, and its rootedness in a heritage site so rich in meaning make it a powerful tool for public outreach. It perfectly reflects our mission to develop the Plains of Abraham and their history,” says Stéphane Roy, Director of Museum Affairs for the NBC.
Three epic sieges of Québec City
One thing will set this year’s edition apart. Whereas the previous ones were mainly about the French and Indian War, Québec City under siege will cover three major attacks on the city. Visitors will discover William Phips’ attempt to capture Québec City in 1690, the siege of 1759-1760, and the American invasion of 1775. The last attack is a poorly known chapter of history, being one of the first major military operations of the American War of Independence. Battlefields - Québec City under Siegeechoes the temporary exhibition Québec 1775: Blizzards and Battle, which showcases this memorable moment from 250 years ago. This exhibition will be presented at the Plains of Abraham Museum until January 2026.
Autumn program for the Plains
The event Battlefields - Québec City under Siege marks the end of the summer season on the Plains of Abraham. The autumn program for the Plains has recently been announced, with a new series of cultural, educational, and family activities.
To find out more: www.plainsofabraham.ca/activities-events
Québec City under Siege, key points
- Near Martello Tower 1, Plains of Abraham
- Saturday, September 6 – 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, September 7 – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Free admission – no reservation required
- If it rains, the gun and cannon firing may be cancelled, but the camp will remain accessible
- Information: www.plainsofabraham.ca/activities-events/battlefields
About the National Battlefields Commission
The Battlefields Park is Canada’s leading national historic park and notably includes the Plains of Abraham and Des Braves Park. The National Battlefields Commission, an agency of the Canadian government, has striven since 1908 to preserve and develop this site that brings so many people together. All year long, it offers a variety of activities for those who wish to explore the park and its history.
