Located just a few minutes drive from downtown Quebec City, the Montmorency falls are a must visit when in the area. The falls are fed by the Montmorency river that flows from the edge of the Jacques-Cartier National Park to the north and feeds into the Saint Lawrence river at the base of the falls.
At 83 meters high, the falls are actually 30 meters higher than the famous Niagra falls. Even though Montmorency doesn’t have the immense width as Niagra, the falls are still an impressive sight.
Even from the neighbouring Île d’Orléans you get a sense of the power of the water cascading over the Montmorency waterfall.
Montmorency falls from Île d’Orléans
ISO 400 – 100mm – f6.3 – 1/3200 sec
Before moving on to some closer shots of the falls, Île d’Orléans provides visitors with a wonderful view of the Quebec City skyline.
Quebec City skyline from Île d’Orléans
ISO 100 – 70mm – f6.3 – 1/1000 sec
Quebec City skyline from Île d’Orléans
ISO 100 – 70mm – f6.3 – 1/1600 sec
I could have spent a lot longer shooting at this spot (and across Île d’Orléans) but we were pushed for time to get to see the falls and make our way up to Saint Siméon. So I will try to get back here another time to do some more serious photo’s – which will most likely be in December.
The fisherman standing close to the base of the fall gave a nice scale to the falls when close-up.
Fishing below the Montmorency Falls
ISO 100 – 300mm – f5.6 – 1/640 sec
Fishing below the Montmorency Falls
ISO 400 – 170mm – f6.3 – 1/3200 sec
The Montmorency Falls
ISO 100 – 78mm – f6.3 – 1/3200 sec
The Montmorency Falls
ISO 100 – 70mm – f6.3 – 1/250 sec
The Montmorency Falls
ISO 100 – 35mm – f8 – 1.6 secs
The Montmorency Falls
ISO 100 – 10mm – f8 – 1/500 sec
Montmorency Falls rainbows
ISO 100 – 10mm – f8 – 1/500 sec
The Montmorency Falls
ISO 100 – 18mm – f8 – 1/640 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)
I took a long exposure using an ND filter so as to soften the water flowing from the falls.
The Montmorency Falls – long exposure
ISO 100 – 18mm – f8 – 8 secs
On this occasion we didn’t take the path leading across the suspension bridge above the falls which provides some great views…and if you’re looking for a good exercise, you can climb the tall staircase on the right hand side cliff.
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.
– Martin
Montréal in Pictures
Your virtual guide in and around Montréal