The Royal 22e Régiment's presence means that the Citadelle is the only historic fortress in North America still in military service. Military traditions such as the Changing of the Guard come to life through the activities of the regiment and its garrison.
These traditions shape daily life in the garrison, the regiment, and often in Québec City itself—a military town from its first foundation. Here are some of them:
The Noon-Day Gun
Noon each day is marked by a cannon fired from the citadel, which resounds throughout the fortress and surrounding parts of the city.
This tradition at the Citadelle goes back to the arrival of the Royal Canadian Artillery's garrison in 1871. Originally two guns were fired each day. The first, at noon, allowed the city's residents to synchronize their watches to call them to lunch, or to mark the Angelus, the noon-day prayer. The second was at 9:30 p.m. and sounded the curfew for gunners and for any soldiers who had gone into the city. The tradition was taken over by the Royal 22e Régiment when it took over the garrison, and continued until 1994. The tradition was revived in 2008 for Québec City's 400th anniversary.
Remembrance
The Royal 22e Régiment Book of Remembrance lists the names of all the Regiment's men and women fallen in the line of duty. It is kept in the Citadelle's Memorial, where by tradition a page is turned every day. The duty sergeant reads aloud the names on the page.
Ceremonies
The Citadelle of Québec is the Royal 22e Régiment's home base and therefore hosts its main military ceremonies. Important events such as changes of battalion command and the consecration of the next Batisse the Goat as regimental mascot are held on the parade ground to the sound of cannon fire.