Approximately eight miles from the heart of Quebec are the 275 foot tall Montmorency Falls. Named in 1619 by Champlain in honor of Henry II, Duke of Montmorency, the falls are 98 feet taller than those at Niagra (but not quite as spectacular, at least not in our opinion). The English general Wolfe had plans to capture Quebec from the French in 1759 by landing his troops near the falls and using it as a base. Remnants of Wolfe's earthen fort can still be seen in the fields next to the falls. Today, the falls play host to an International Fireworks Competition during the summer months.