Le Moulin à Images (The Image Mill) & Les Chemins Invisibles

Wow! These sound like fun! We will also be in Quebec City this summer and I would love to hear more about these two productions. Unfortunately like your friend, we do not speak French. I know the Cirque production would be entertaining without understanidng the language but I wonder about the Image Mill. I can't wait to hear the replies to your questions.

The Moulins à images soundtrack is instrumental music. No need to understand French.

Louis P,

That's great! Do you know whether it is broadcast over speakers, or just over the radio?

Here is something I found from last year's show:
For those interested, the show’s sound set-up features over 300 loudspeakers and subs running along the viewing area. For spectators taking in the show from deeper in the city, or perhaps a hotel room, several radio stations are simultaneously broadcasting the show’s soundtrack.

Thanks, kkukura. I saw something similar, but it was ambiguous. What you found is clearer.

Anyone seen or heard about Les Chemins Invisibles?

Ok, almost three weeks have passed since I last asked.

Anyone been to or heard about Les Chemins Invisibles in that time?

We got back yesterday from our trip to Montreal, Quebec City, and Tadoussac. In Quebec City we went to see the Image Mill, but not the Cirque show(we saw OVO in Montreal). The Image Mill was well done. We were staying in the upper town so we walked to the steps leading to the lower town, but we just stood with a crowd and leaned against the wall and watched the show from there. We were able to hear the music from there also. Not knowing much of the specifics of Quebec history I was pretty clueless on what everything meant, but I did enjoy the show. It was very well done. Now I plan to read up some more about the history of Quebec and think I will understand more of what was shown. I did notice seats right on the pier which I assume were for those who got there first or got tickets? Some of the people from the B&B we stayed in went to the Cirque show. This is what I heard from them...the people varied in age from teenagers to a couple in their 70's. They said they got there early and still there were a lot of people. They had difficulty seeing through the crowds most of the time. What they did see they enjoyed though. There were three 30 mintue shows put on in different areas of the street. So the people, depending upon where they stood, got to see some different performers. They especially liked a guy with hula hoops. I am not sure if this answers your questions enough, but I thought I would share what I experienced.

Thanks, kkukura! That is a big help.

One of my concerns about both shows has been whether there is a place to sit. That is especially true now that my mom has been having trouble with her leg. I'm not sure we will be able to do either of these if we have to stand for an hour.

I e-mailed the Image Mill producers about taking chairs to the port area but have not heard back. I guess I need to ask around (like at tourist info) to see if there are other places we could set up lawn chairs or that has benches or similar. I read on-line that there is someone selling tickets for seats in the port area for $15 each (the ones you saw), but I was hoping not to have to pay.

I need to contact Cirque de Soleil to ask the same question about their show. In fact, I think maybe I did already and never heard back from them, so I will try again.

I saw the Image Mill in '08 and recall seeing people on their own folding chairs. Also I was with a mobility-challenged person and we were ushered (free) to a special 3-foot high platform with perfect view and room for about 20 wheelchairs motorized or not, with one companion each.

Of course you have to *find* that area, and we more or less stumbled onto it. I could not see any signs pointing to it. All I can tell you is -- figure out where the best seating would be and it's nearby. Or maybe ask around.

You are not required to arrive early, but in practice, you need about 45 minutes' lead (depending on the weather) to make your way through the crowds.

The sound is on loudspeakers as well as radio. I understand it's been toned down this year to spare the ears and nerves of people living nearby, so if you're not in the Old Port area, you'll need a radio. Although the sound is almost entirely music and sound effects so it's not essential for enjoyment of the show.

I saw Les Chemins Invisibles on Saturday 08/08 and there were no accommodations for wheelchairs that I could see. And I didn't see anybody being allowed inside with a folding chair. Maybe way in back. But basically it's standing room only -- reminiscent of Tokyo subway platforms. Hopefully it isn't as bad on a weeknight.

My companion in her wheelchair could not see *any* thing other than the 5-minute parade opening the show, and I (standing 5'10") -- well, let's say I would have kicked myself for not bringing a periscope -- if I'd had kicking room, that is.

Showing up early didn't help as others were let in later and allowed to stand in front of us - a number of which 8 feet tall due to a kid perched on dad's shoulders. Furthermore, we were jostled throughout the show by people leaving in disgust.

The show itself wasn't too bad but only 75 minutes long and IMHO definitely not up to CdS standards. Let's just say that with this (free) show, we got our money's worth.

I e-mailed Quebec City Tourism before we left, and here was the reply I got about bringing in chairs:

"I received your message concerning the sitting at the event 'Les Chemins Invisibles'. Unfortunately, there is no place where people can sit and people are not allowed to bring chairs on the site. However, we understand that a few people cannot stand for as long as 90 minutes. Therefore, we allow only these people to bring chairs and to talk with security agents on the site (the name of the company is SIROIS) so they can find them a safe place to sit.

Your mother will have to sit far from the stage and might not see while she is sitting but at least she will be able to stay with your and to enjoy most of the show."

As it turned out, the closest we got was driving past the site - every day we were in the city, and never intentionally! Once we went by in the early evening (Friday, I think), and there was already a huge crowd waiting to enter the "venue"- and it was only about 7:00. The other two times it was later and I was trying to find the A440 to go back to our hotel. We got to see a "peek" of the set as we drove up the ramp to the freeway (but I couldn't see the activity of the show).