Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin)
Terrasse Dufferin, Quebec City, Quebec
Running alongside the famous Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin) is a wide boardwalk offering views of the city and the St. Lawrence river. In the summer, gazebos along the promenade host street performers and musicians, while in winter, the popular Les Glissades de la Terrasse toboggan run draws locals and visitors alike.
Named after Lord Dufferin, Governor of Canada from 1872 to 1878, the 0.3-mile-long (500-meter-long) Dufferin Terrace is a favorite place to stroll on sunny days and a popular stop on guided tours of the city. Just below the boardwalk, an archaeological museum houses the remains of Château Saint Louis. The seat of power of Samuel de Champlain, the founding father of Quebec, and many successive governors, the ruins date back to 1620. A statue of Champlain stands nearby.
Dufferin Terrace is wheelchair-accessible.
Informative signs along the boardwalk explain the history of Quebec City.
The boardwalk was the first public place in North America to be lit by electric street lights.
Dufferin Terrace is located in Quebec City’s Upper Town, alongside the Château Frontenac hotel. It’s best accessed on foot from other parts of the Upper Town.
The boardwalk is open all year round. Summers on the boardwalk are lively, with live music and street performers entertaining the substantial crowds. The wintertime toboggan run is a local family favorite and worth a visit for travelers in town during this season. During Quebec City’s cold and snowy winters, the boardwalk can be icy.
Climb down the many steps—or take the funicular railway—from the Dufferin Terrace down to the lower town to explore the Saint Roch neighborhood. A former industrial zone that was home to shipbuilding warehouses for many years, Saint Roch has recently been transformed into a nightlife hub with shops, bars, and restaurants.
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