Shared walls: the GG and the "Vandoos" at Quebec

In the wall of the fortress of Old Quebec, overlooking the river and the city, the Governor General of Canada maintains a second residence. It is here that Awards Ceremonies are held for  recipients of the Order of Canada.

Within these same fortified walls, the historic Royal Vingt-Deuxieme Regiment is quartered. Originally called the 22e bataillon (French-Canadian), it was created in October 1914 and arrived in Belgium in 1915, the only active to serve French-speaking regiment in the Canadian Corps to serve on the front.

Thousands of Quebeckers have served in the "Van Doos," in combat and peacekeeping missions and abroad as well as at home.

Although nobody is allowed inside the walls of Quebec unaccompanied, there are guided tours for those interested in learning more about the history of Canada's oldest city, the former capital of Lower Canada. Those who tour the GG's residence are allowed to stand on the balcony and gaze across the St. Lawrence at the city skyline, dominated, of course, by the historic Chateau Frontenac.