Located near to the Château Frontenac, the Dufferin Terrace is a lengthy wooden walkway that offers a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding surroundings. Any time of the year is a great time to go there!
This terrace, which was named in honour of Governor General Dufferin, attracts a large number of visitors. Since it was opened to the public in 1838, this spectacular property has been long reserved for private use and has gained popularity among both locals and visitors. Numerous folks come here to stroll, unwind, or gaze at the scenery.
On this wooden promenade, street performers and musicians play in the summer, and thrill-seekers have been attracted to the enormous toboggan slide for more than a century in the winter.
The Dufferin Terrace is the ideal location for capturing gorgeous photos since it offers a magnificent perspective of the Château Frontenac, the St. Lawrence River, and the surrounding area. You can also ride the funicular from this location to travel to Lower Town’s rue du Petit-Champlain. A fantastic location to view fireworks displays in the summer is the Dufferin Terrace.
The Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis ruins have been accessible for several years now beneath the Terrace. This Parks Canada National Historic Site used to be the governor’s mansion for more than 200 years.
The view from the Dufferin Terrace is something that one may always enjoy. This is what makes this tourism destination so well-liked with locals and visitors alike!
What activities are available on the Dufferin Terrace?
- Enjoying a wonderful summer evening while watching entertaining street entertainers or listening to skilled bands; eating an ice cream cone on a warm day or drinking hot chocolate and taking in the scenery in the cold; photographing the Château Frontenac, the most famous sight in Québec City and allegedly the most photographed hotel in the world; Having your kids take pictures atop the cannons, which the British introduced to the city for defence between the late 18th and early 19th century.
- Here’s a little-known fact: You must ascend a staircase with numerous landings at the far end of the Dufferin Terrace to reach the governors’ promenade, which runs beside the Citadel and connects to the Plains of Abraham.
- You may toboggan down the wooden sledding runs during the winter at up to 70 km/h (43.5 mph). An exciting experience for the whole family!
- Under the Dufferin Terrace, in the Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis archaeological crypt, are the remnants of the governor’s mansion.
Tobogganing on the Dufferin Terrace
The toboggan tracks on the Dufferin Terrace were constructed in 1884, nine years ahead of the opening of the renowned Château Frontenac, and they quickly gained popularity as a winter pastime. You can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h (43.5 mph) when racing down one of the three snowy lanes on an unique toboggan; that’ll definitely get the blood pumping! The runs are typically accessible from mid-December until mid-March, and if the weather allows, even later. A toboggan may accommodate up to four people. Hold onto your tuque, then take off!
The Dufferin Terrace’s history
On this location, Champlain, who founded Québec City, erected the St. Louis Fort in 1620. Governor Montmagny, who succeeded him, had the house enlarged and a patio built for visitors. This structure was the governor’s official house for a long time. For dignitaries alone, the terrace remained private.
A fire damaged the governor’s home and terrace in 1834. Lord Durham planned to have a promenade built over the residence’s ruins so that the populace may finally take in the breathtaking view from this vantage point, and he inaugurated the first public edifice in 1838. The Durham Terrace was the name of this promenade.
The terrace was expanded in 1854 because it was so well-liked. Lord Dufferin, the new governor general, arrived in Québec City in 1872. He was successful in stopping the fortifications from being destroyed and backed the Durham Terrace expansion plan. Frontenac, Plessis, Dufferin, Victoria, Lorne, and Princess Louise are the names of the six stands with green and white roofs.
The new terrace was officially opened in 1879. It had been renamed the Dufferin Terrace and increased in length from 85 to 430 m (278.9′ to 1410.8′). Since then, it hasn’t been enlarged. The first electric arc streetlights in North America were put in position in a public area in 1885.
At one end of the Terrace, a statue of Champlain was erected in 1898. At this location, festivities for Québec City’s 300th anniversary (1908) and 400th anniversary (2008) of its founding were launched.
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