✦ Icons of Quebec
Château Frontenac & Dufferin Terrace
The Château Frontenac is Quebec's postcard. The Dufferin Terrace, its natural stage. And a few steps below, the Carrera Café awaits those who know how to end a walk in style.
The Château Frontenac
The most photographed hotel in the world
Ranked among the most photographed hotels in the world, the Château Frontenac has dominated the Old Capital since 1893. Its French château-style architecture is a direct evocation of the roots of New France.
A unique silhouette in the world
Standing on Cap Diamant, the Château Frontenac is visible from almost everywhere in the city and from the south shore of the Saint Lawrence. Its green copper roof and turrets have been reproduced on millions of postcards. A building that has become synonymous with Quebec.
A 130-year history
The Château has hosted crowned heads, heads of state, and celebrities from around the world. The 1943 Quebec Conference between Churchill and Roosevelt was held here. A place where world history met local history.
The Dufferin Terrace
Quebec's outdoor lounge
671 meters long, the Dufferin Terrace offers one of the most beautiful walks in Canada. Facing the Saint Lawrence, under the gaze of the Château, it is the place where Quebec reveals itself.
671 meters of panoramas
The terrace stretches from the Château Frontenac to the staircase descending to Petit-Champlain. The route is dotted with exceptional viewpoints over the Saint Lawrence and the Lower Town.
Built in 1838
Inaugurated under Governor Dufferin, the terrace has been expanded several times. Its Victorian kiosks, lampposts, and wooden planks have remained almost unchanged since the 19th century.
The great slide
In winter, the Dufferin Terrace slide is one of Quebec's great traditions. Wooden toboggans on which you speed down towards the Lower Town. An attraction dating back to New France.
Access and hours
Terrasse Dufferin is open 24/7, 365 days a year, free of charge. Seasonal kiosks and various activities depending on the season. Always lively, never the same.
The most beautiful views
The perfect angle
The Château Frontenac is as much to be admired as it is to be experienced. Here are the best viewpoints to admire it or admire the city from its surroundings.
From Lower Town
View from Place-Royale or from the Old Port dock. From the shore, the Château appears in all its mastery. It’s the angle of postcards and night photographs with reflections on the river.
From Lévis
The ferry crossing from Lévis offers the most spectacular viewpoint. The entire Upper Town is revealed, dominated by the Château. An unbeatable 180-degree panorama.
Night lighting
In the evening, the Château Frontenac lights up and takes on an almost magical dimension. The nighttime stroll on Terrasse Dufferin, with the Château in the background and the starry Saint Lawrence, is an unforgettable moment.
From Petit-Champlain
From Petit-Champlain Street or Place-Royale, looking up, you can see the Château above the rooftops. It’s also the view from the Carrera Café terrace. A constant reminder of history.
In all seasons
The Château never disappoints
The Terrasse Dufferin changes character with each season, but the Château Frontenac remains unchanged. A landmark in time and space.
Walks and concerts
The Terrasse buzzes with life. Street musicians, tourists from around the world, families. The terraces of nearby cafés are full. Summer is the season of celebration.
The golden magic
The surrounding trees turn gold and red. The Terrasse empties of its tourists but fills with calm. It’s the locals’ favorite season.
The slide and the Carnival
The slide returns, ice sculptures decorate the surroundings. The Château looks like it came out of a fairy tale. The snowy Terrasse, the frozen river, the stars: a perfect Nordic scene.
The rebirth
When the ice of the Saint Lawrence melts and the first rays warm the boards of the Terrasse. Quebec wakes up. It’s the time to come before the summer crowds.
The barista's tip
“From Terrasse Dufferin, take the Casse-Cou stairs down to the Lower Town. Five minutes of walking, and you’re with us. A flat white facing the cobblestones, to extend the walk.”
View of the Château
The Carrera experience
From the terrace of Carrera Café, you can see the turrets of Château Frontenac between the roofs. A view that gives every latte a literally historical dimension.
Table facing the cobblestones
Hot latte, Pit Stop board of charcuterie and cheeses, view of rue du Petit-Champlain with Château Frontenac as a backdrop. The quintessential Carrera Café experience. A place where every cup is served with a postcard view.
On the podium
The three essential moments
Three must-have experiences around Château Frontenac and Terrasse Dufferin.
✦ Château Frontenac Podium
Terrasse Dufferin at golden hour, when the sun paints the Château in gold. The most beautiful walk in Quebec, free and accessible.
A tradition that has lasted for centuries. Wooden slides, northern cold, the cries of children and adults. A pure Quebec experience.
From the Terrasse to Carrera Café passing by the Casse-Cou stairs. A 10-minute route that crosses 400 years of history.
From the Château to Carrera
5 minutes, an eternity
The Terrasse Dufferin and Carrera Café are connected by one of the most beautiful routes in Quebec. The Casse-Cou stairs, the roofs of the Lower Town, rue du Petit-Champlain.
Château Frontenac → Carrera Café
Terrasse Dufferin, Casse-Cou stairs, rue du Petit-Champlain, Carrera Café. One of the most beautiful walking routes in Quebec. Between the two, you will have crossed several centuries of history to end up at a terrace table with a perfect latte.
The most photographed hotel
The Château Frontenac is the most photographed in the world. Carrera Café is the next stop. Find us in Petit-Champlain after your next walk on the Terrasse.
See our menu Book a table
Comments (0)
There are no comments for this item. Be the first to leave a message!