Covering 108 hectares (270 acres) of grassy hills, sunken gardens, monuments, fountains, and trees, Québec's Battlefields Park stretches over the Plains of Abraham, where Wolfe and Montcalm engaged in their short but crucial battle in 1759, resulting in the British troops' defeat of the French troops. It is a favorite place for all Québecois when they want some sunshine or a bit of exercise. Free concerts are given during the summer at the bandstand in the park, the Kiosque Edwin-Bélanger. Be sure to see the Jardin Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc Garden), just off avenue Laurier between Loews le Concorde Hôtel and the Ministry of Justice. The statue of Joan of Arc was a gift from anonymous Americans, and it was here that "O Canada," the country's national anthem, was sung for the first time. Within the park are two Martello towers, cylindrical stone defensive structures built between 1808 and 1812, when Québec feared an invasion from the United States.

Today, Battlefields Park contains almost 5,000 trees representing more than 80 species. Prominent among these are sugar maple, silver maple, Norway maple, American elm, and American ash. There are frequent special activities, including theatrical and musical events, presented in the park during the summer.

Year-round, the park's Maison de la Découverte (Discovery Pavilion), at 835 av. Wilfrid Laurier (tel. 418/648-4071), provides insights into the significance of the Plains of Abraham to Québec over the years, employing effective multimedia techniques. For C$3.50 (US$2.50), visitors are provided with wireless headsets and directed through several chambers -- actually corridors and cells in what was once a prison -- to witness dramatic presentations in sound and pictures of episodes in Québec's long history. The narration doesn't fail to describe some of the racier components of that tenure, including a number of elaborate executions, and tales of the prostitutes who serviced the garrison at the Citadelle. It also discusses the landing of Charles Lindburgh on the Plains in 1928. Allow 30 minutes for the audio-visual tour.

The Maison de la Découverte also serves as a starting point for bus and walking tours of the park. In summer, a shuttle bus tours the park in 45 minutes, with narration in French and English (prices given below).