Terrasse Dufferin, Quebec

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The Terrasse Dufferin is a wonderful area for a scenic stroll. It is usually full of people and offers a great view over the St. Lawrence River. In the summer you will find artists and entertainers here. At the end of the Terrasse is the funicular that takes visitors to the Rue de Petit Champlain and to the Place Royal.

Lord Dufferin, one time governor general of Canada, authorized the building of this terrace in 1879.

It is interesting to note that some of the cannons on display here once belonged to the Russian Army. They were captured during the Crimean War and given to the British government, who in turn placed them here in Quebec.

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With the 400th anniversary celebrations of Québec coming up not long after our visit, there has been an ongoing flurry of activity to retrieve as much of the historical background to the city as possible prior to the big event.

Near the Frontenac Hotel, teams of researchers were undertaking a major archaeological dig. The site was under part of the Terrace Dufferin near the Hotel Frontenac, a very historic site if history is counted as building activity! At different times this area has had several forts, all bearing the name Saint-Louis, and two châteaux by the same name which were the residence of the Governors of New France. The first fort was built in 1620 by Samuel de Champlain, the final château was lost to fire in 1834. Subsequently the site has been vacant, but it was disturbed to some extent during construction of the Hotel Frontenac in 1892 and by construction of the Terrace Dufferin.

We were fascinated to see the archaeologists at work. No wonder they were busy, it seems the concept was to have the exposed remnants of the former buildings on display as a major feature for the 400th anniversary celebrations. By now the results should be waiting for your inspection!

Main photo: Archaeologists at work
Second photo: Archaeologist recording details
Third, fourth photos: Old building footings

Known as le Terrasse Dufferin, the terrace starts at the base of the Chateau Frontenac and extends hundreds of meters overlooking the river. In the summertime this is a great place to visit for the views over the water and the Chateau. There is also a walkway that extends around and into the Plains of Abraham that makes for a nice walk.

The area in front of the Chateau is the tourist trap area. Luckily, it is cold enough, and the Canadians are nice enough, that the tourist traps are cheap in winter. You can get a snow-cooled maple-sugar fix for a couple of bucks, and a trip down the ice slide is the same price. Of course, you have to drag the toboggan up the hill yourself.

Terrasse Dufferin is the long plaza located behind Hotel Château Frontenac. It's a good place to hang out after a lot of sightseeing or walking and you can enjoy some great views from up there. Directly opposite the terrace, but a mile away on the other side of St. Lawrence River is Lévis where you can get the world's best ice-cream. Further to your left you can see Île d'Orléans and - provided the visibility is good enough - the waterfall of Montmorency. Far below you, ships traverse on St. Lawrence River. All in all, a place that must not be missed!

Just outside the Chateau Frontenac is a boardwalk that has a lovely view of the St. Lawrence River across to the town of Levis on the other side. While we were there, street performers, part of the Festival d'Ete, were performing at one end of the Terrasse, I imagine you will find street performers here during the summer months even without the festival as it was a perfect spot for it. Apparently you can take the walkway all the way to the Citadel but we only walked the section near the Chateau.

If you want to catch the funicular to take you down to the Lower Town, it's located here or if you want to walk, the stairs to get down to the Lower Town are nearby as well.

The terrace is named for Lord Dufferin, governor of Canada from 1872 to 1878 who had the walkway built in 1878.

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Named after Lord Dufferin, the 3rd Governor General of Canada, this boardwalk runs from the Chateau Frontenac to the steps leading to the Citadelle and offers a splendid view of the St. Lawrence River. There is plenty of activity going on at all time on the Terrasse: during summer, visitors will be entertained by talented and funny street performers, and for about 3 weeks in July and August, it transforms itself into an open-air bookstore known as "Les Bouquinistes du Saint-Laurent" (www.lesbouquinistes.org). During the winter carnival, Terrasse Dufferin becomes one of the city's favorite gathering points. The funicular that goes down to the Quartier Petit-Champlain also departs from the Terrasse.

The Dufferin Boardwalk was built in 1879 at the request of the governor general of Canada, Lord Dufferin (!). It is one of the most pleasant places to talk a walk in Quebec City, as it overlooks the St. Lawrence River and the town of Levis on the south shore. It also has one of the best views of the Chateau Frontenac (Frontenac Castle).

In the winter, there is a toboggan chute operating from the end of the boardwalk, which can be fun for kids of all ages!

P. S. I recently read that some of the cannons on the boardwalk bear the Russian arms. That would be because they were seized by British forces during the Crimean War and later donated to Quebec City. I will certainly check this out during my next visit.