Terrasse Dufferin facts for kids
Terrasse Dufferin (also known as Dufferin Terrace) is a famous wooden walkway in Quebec City, Quebec. It stretches around the grand Château Frontenac hotel and leads towards the historic Citadelle of Quebec. From the terrace, you can enjoy amazing views of the mighty St. Lawrence River.
A Walk Through Time
The Terrasse Dufferin has a cool history! It was built because of a man named the Marquess of Dufferin. He was the Governor General of Canada at the time. This means he was the Queen's representative in Canada.
The terrace was named after him. It was officially opened on June 28, 1879. Another important person, John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, and his wife, Princess Louise, helped open it.
Today, Parks Canada takes care of the terrace. It is part of the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site.
What You Can See and Do
The Terrasse Dufferin is a long wooden boardwalk. It has six lovely gazebos and many benches. These are great spots to relax and look out over the river. The gazebos even have names! From north to south, they are Frontenac, Lorne, Princess Louise, Victoria, Dufferin, and Plessis.
Winter Fun
At the south end of the terrace, there's a special ramp. It's about 150 meters (490 feet) long. This ramp becomes a fun toboggan run every winter! You can slide down it during the Quebec Winter Carnival. This big festival happens from late January to mid-February.
Exploring More
Also at the south end, you can find the Governors' Promenade. This is a walkway built into the cliffs. It leads you to the famous Plains of Abraham.
Near the Frontenac gazebo, at the north end, is the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec. This is a special cable car. It takes you down to Rue du Petit-Champlain in the Lower Town.
Hidden History Below
Did you know there's more history under the terrace? Below parts of the Terrasse Dufferin are the remains of old forts. These include the Saint Louis Forts and the Château Saint-Louis. The Château Saint-Louis was once the home for French and British Governors.
You can see these old remains through three special skylights. These skylights are built right into the terrace itself. Sometimes, you can even go on a walkway that extends under the terrace to see them up close!
