Montmorency Falls

Montmorency Falls Review

The Montmorency River was named for Charles de Montmorency, viceroy of New France in the 1620s and explorer Samuel de Champlain's immediate commander. The river cascading over a cliff into the St. Lawrence is one of the most beautiful sights in the province—and at 27 stories high, the falls are double the height of Niagara Falls. A cable car runs to the top of the falls in Parc de la Chute-Montmorency (Montmorency Falls Park) from late April to late October. During very cold weather the falls' heavy spray freezes and forms a giant loaf-shape ice cone known to Québecois as the Pain du Sucre (Sugarloaf); this phenomenon attracts sledders and sliders from Québec City.

The park also has a historic side. The British general James Wolfe, on his way to conquer New France, camped here in 1759. In 1780 Sir Frederick Haldimand, then the governor of Canada, built a summer home atop the cliff. The structure burned down, however, and what stands today is a re-creation, now a good restaurant called Manoir Montmorency. It's open year-round, with a terrace in summertime that offers a stunning view of the falls and river below.

Les Grands Feux Loto-Québec. Mid-July to early August, the skies above the falls light up with an international competition of fireworks performances set to music. 418/523-3389 or 888/523-3389. www.lesgrandsfeux.com.