Ramparts of Quebec City, City walls in La Cité-Limoilou, Canada.
The Ramparts of Quebec City are a stone fortification in La Cité-Limoilou, Canada, that circles the old town for approximately 4.6 kilometers (about 2.9 miles). The wall consists of massive granite blocks with earthen embankments behind them, and contains bastions, gates, and raised platforms offering views over the Saint Lawrence River and surrounding neighborhoods.
French colonial architects built the first earthworks and wooden palisades starting in 1745 to protect the town center from attack. After British conquest, military engineers replaced large sections with stone between 1820 and 1831, adding new bastions along the southern side.
Named after early defensive structures that enclosed the colonial town center, the fortification today shows gun embrasures, watchtowers, and paved walkways that visitors explore on foot. Locals use the upper paths for daily commutes or jogging, while small parks line sections of the walls where families stop to rest.
The upper walkway is accessible by stairs at several gates, including Porte Saint-Louis and near Terrasse Dufferin, and remains open for walking throughout the year. In winter, snow and ice can make the paths slippery, so visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring walking poles if needed.
Three of the original French gates still stand and preserve their old hinges and locking mechanisms that visitors can inspect as they pass through. The artillery platforms show different designs from three centuries, ranging from open earthwork emplacements to vaulted stone casemates with cannon ports.
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