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Terrasse Dufferin — Covered wooden promenade with benches and views toward the riverPhoto: Selbymay · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
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Terrasse Dufferin

Waterfronts & promenades ·Québec ·Open now
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#2Waterfronts & promenades in CanadaTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Terrasse Dufferin is a wooden promenade beside Château Frontenac in Québec City’s Upper Town, at the foot of the Citadelle. It stands above Cap Diamant, with the St. Lawrence River about 80 metres below.

More photos 10

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Terrasse Dufferin — Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk and pavilion beneath autumn clouds Wilfredor · CC0 · edited
Terrasse Dufferin — Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk and pavilion beneath autumn cloudsTerrasse Dufferin — Visitors resting on benches beside the terrace pavilionTerrasse Dufferin — Terrace benches and lamps glowing at dusk beside Château FrontenacTerrasse Dufferin — Wet boardwalk leading toward Château Frontenac under a bright skyTerrasse Dufferin — Snowy terrace promenade and pavilion beside the riverTerrasse Dufferin — View from the terrace across Quebec City's lower town and harborTerrasse Dufferin — Historic terrace with cyclists and Château Frontenac in the backgroundTerrasse Dufferin — Historic boardwalk with cannons and a view across the riverfrontTerrasse Dufferin — Crowds on the historic terrace below Château FrontenacTerrasse Dufferin — Alice in Wonderland statue displayed beside a terrace building

Why go

  • A 430-metre wooden promenade runs from the Champlain statue to the bottom steps of the Governors’ Walk.
  • Covered gazebos overlook Lower Town.
  • A roughly 250-metre ice slide operates at the southern end in winter.

Opening hours

Today00:00 – 23:59Show all
Monday00:00 – 23:59
Tuesday00:00 – 23:59
Wednesday00:00 – 23:59
Thursday00:00 – 23:59
Friday00:00 – 23:59
Saturday00:00 – 23:59
Sunday00:00 – 23:59

Don't miss

  • Archaeological skylightsLook through three skylights at remains of Saint Louis Forts and Château Saint-Louis beneath the terrace. When open, the underground walkway offers another view.Beneath Terrasse Dufferin
  • Samuel de Champlain monumentSee the monument unveiled on 21 September 1898.At the Champlain-statue end of the boardwalk
  • Nearby cannonsLook for the cannons recalling the site's former strategic role and batteries.Near Terrasse Dufferin

Shorts

Interesting facts6

1/6
  1. 1885

    Electric lighting was installed on the terrace in 1885.

    Dufferin-Terrasse - Wikipedia
  2. 50 metres

    The historical Durham Terrace measured about 50 metres by 15 metres.

    Dufferin-Terrasse - Wikipedia
  3. 1908

    The terrace hosted the starting points of Quebec City's anniversary festivities in 1908 and 2008.

    Terrasse Dufferin - Wikipedia
  4. 1878

    Lord Dufferin laid the terrace's cornerstone during his final official event in October 1878.

    Terrasse Dufferin - Wikipedia
  5. 1872

    After becoming governor-general in 1872, Lord Dufferin opposed demolishing Quebec's city gates and other historic buildings.

    Dufferin-Terrasse - Wikipedia

  6. Charles Baillairgé oversaw construction of the present terrace, named after the governor-general, in just under a year.

    Dufferin-Terrasse - Wikipedia

History

While summering at the Citadelle, Lord Dufferin planned the promenade. As governor-general, he directed its construction and proposed greatly lengthening the Durham Terrace to make it a visitor attraction.

  1. 1648A small terrace for visitors was built in front of Château Saint-Louis.
  2. 1759British artillery badly damaged the terrace during the siege of Québec.
  3. 1838Lord Durham cleared the château ruins and built Terrasse Durham, a public viewing terrace.
  4. 1854The terrace was extended by 35 metres, requiring demolition of a surviving outbuilding.
  5. 1879The enlarged terrace became Terrasse Dufferin; John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, and Princess Louise inaugurated it on 28 June.
Show all
  1. 1884A public toboggan slide was installed beside the Citadelle glacis.
  2. 1894Château Frontenac opened beside the terrace.
  3. 2024A refrigeration system was installed to extend slide operation during mild winters.

Tips for your visit

  • A stairway links the terrace route to the Citadelle.
  • A walkway below the Citadelle cliffs connects the terrace to the Plains of Abraham.
  • The Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec’s upper station is at the terrace’s northern end, beside the Frontenac gazebo.
  • The funicular descends to Rue du Petit-Champlain.

Know before you go

  • The outdoor terrace is open 24 hours every day.

Sources: Terrasse Dufferin - Wikipedia · Quebec City - Wikivoyage (do) · Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Histori… · Dufferin-Terrasse - Wikipedia · Terrasse Dufferin - Wikipedia · checked 29 Sep 2026

Where
Rue des Carrières Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site, Quebec City

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

Where is Terrasse Dufferin?

On Rue des Carrières in Québec City, at the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site.

Who maintains Terrasse Dufferin?

Parks Canada maintains it as part of that national historic site.

Are there places to sit at Terrasse Dufferin?

Benches line the boardwalk between Château Frontenac and the Citadelle.

What are the six gazebos at Terrasse Dufferin called?

Frontenac, Lorne, Princess Louise, Victoria, Dufferin and Plessis.

When did the funicular at Terrasse Dufferin open?

About six months after the terrace’s June 1879 inauguration.

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