Montmorency Falls

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Montmorency Falls

Waterfall

Montmorency Falls is a large waterfall where the Montmorency River plunges over a cliff into the Saint Lawrence River near Quebec City. Travelers come for the dramatic 83 m drop, park viewpoints, the suspension bridge and the funitel ride between base and crest.

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Montmorency Falls essentials

Address: Beauport, Quebec City / Boischatel, Quebec, Canada

Montmorency Falls is an 83 m (272 ft) curtain of water at the mouth of the Montmorency River, falling into the Saint Lawrence River opposite the western tip of the Île d’Orléans Île d’Orléans. The falls are about 12 km from the heart of Old Quebec and sit within Montmorency Falls Park, a protected recreational area with trails and viewpoints.

The site is a long-standing tourist attraction - the falls are about 30 m higher than Niagara Falls - and the park infrastructure includes staircases, belvederes and a suspension bridge across the crest. A funitel (cable lift) links the base and the top for views without the climb. The park draws many visitors year-round and has hosted summer fireworks competitions; in summer the river can show a yellowish tint from iron in the bed, and the site was even home to the first Ice Hotel in 2001.

  • Suspension bridge: A pedestrian suspension bridge spans the crest of the falls and gives a thrilling viewpoint directly over the drop.
  • Base viewpoints: Lookouts at the base put you close to the spray and thunder of the falling water for dramatic photos and sound.
  • Funitel ride: The funitel carries visitors between the river level and the top of the cliff, offering changing perspectives on the falls and river.
  • Panorama of the St. Lawrence and Île d'Orléans: Upper belvederes reward you with wide views over the Saint Lawrence River and the tree-lined Île d’Orléans Île d’Orléans.
  • Winter ice formations: In winter the spray and cold create spectacular ice formations and a largely frozen cascade that is impressive to view from platformed walkways.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Montmorency Falls#

Montmorency Falls is interesting year-round; summers are warm and busy while winters present a frozen spectacle.

Summer (best for views and events)
June - August · 11°C - 26°C (52°F - 79°F)
Warm weather and lush parkland make trails and belvederes pleasant, and the park typically hosts fireworks and other events in summer.
Autumn (good)
September - October · 3°C - 18°C (37°F - 64°F)
Cooler, drier weather and fall foliage provide attractive panoramas without the summer crowds.
Winter (for ice views)
December - February · -17°C - -4°C (1°F - 25°F)
Very cold conditions freeze much of the cascade into striking ice formations and change the character of the site, but dress warmly and check access before you go.

Weather & Climate near Montmorency Falls#

Climate

Montmorency Falls's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1256 mm/year), wettest in July.

Air Quality: AQI 27 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneAugustJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-38°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -17° - -7° -19° 82 mm overcast 97% 3.7 m/s 0.1 low 8.9h
February Poor -16° - -5° -17° 68 mm overcast 96% 3.7 m/s 0.3 low 10.2h
March Poor -10° - 0° -10° 77 mm partly cloudy 94% 3.8 m/s 0.5 moderate 11.8h
April Poor -2° - 8° 0° 91 mm partly cloudy 86% 3.8 m/s 0.9 moderate 13.4h
May Good 5° - 17° 11° 109 mm partly cloudy 81% 3.7 m/s 1.3 high 14.8h
June Very Good 11° - 23° 17° 123 mm partly cloudy 82% 3.3 m/s 1.5 very high 15.6h
July Very Good 14° - 26° 20° 135 mm partly cloudy 84% 3.0 m/s 1.6 very high 15.2h
August Very Good 13° - 24° 19° 120 mm partly cloudy 84% 2.9 m/s 1.3 high 14.0h
September Good 8° - 19° 13° 130 mm partly cloudy 84% 3.0 m/s 0.9 moderate 12.4h
October Acceptable 3° - 12° 5° 116 mm overcast 86% 3.4 m/s 0.4 low 10.7h
November Poor -3° - 4° -3° 108 mm overcast 90% 3.5 m/s 0.2 low 9.3h
December Poor -12° - -4° -14° 97 mm overcast 96% 3.6 m/s 0.1 low 8.5h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Montmorency Falls#

The falls sit on the boundary between the Beauport borough of Quebec City and the small town of Boischatel, about 12 km from the heart of Old Quebec. The nearest airport is Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport; the main downtown train station is Gare du Palais in Quebec City.

From Quebec City the last stretch is commonly covered by car or taxi in around 15-30 minutes depending on traffic, or by regional buses that serve the Beauport/Boischatel corridor - check local timetables for frequencies. Within the park, staircases, paths and the funitel connect the base, crest and viewpoints.

Tips for Visiting Montmorency Falls#

  • Wear sturdy shoes: the park has many stairs and some walkways can be wet or icy.
  • In winter dress for strong cold and wind near the falls and check locally for attraction availability.
  • If you want views without the climb, take the funitel from the base to the top.
  • Summer evenings may feature the park’s fireworks events during competition season; check dates before you plan an evening visit.