The Plains of Abraham is a natural 100 hectares area delimited by the fortifications of Québec city's Old district and the streets of Upper-Town; it is also bordered on its entire length by a 100 meter-high cliff that plunges into the Saint-Lawrence river.
After being a summer destination for nomad indigenous people for over three thousand years, the area became a place for pasturing livestock and growing grain at the arrival of the French colonists in the 17th century.
In 1759, a historic battle opposing the French and British armies took place on those plains. During the 100 year-long British regime that followed, the plains were used for military purposes.
In 1908, in order to commemorate the battle and to allow citizens and tourists to enjoy the green space that are the Plains of Abraham, the government of Canada created the Battlefields Park and offered it to Québec city for its tricentennial celebrations.
The park has now become Québec city's rallying site par excellence; it welcomes over four million visitors every year.
All images copyright ©Yannis Dessureault 2009.
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