Old Quebec – Dufferin Terrace and Samuel de Champlain

History is everywhere in Old Quebec. You really see it come to life.

Dufferin Terrace

The terrace was built under the direction of the Marquess of Dufferin, the then Governor General of Canada, and eventually named for him. It was officially inaugurated by Dufferin’s viceregal successor, John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, and his wife, Princess Louise, on 28 June 1879.

And to make things even more interesting, there are ruins hidden under the Dufferin Terrace, the remains of Château Saint-Louis reveal the seat of power of French and British governors from 1620 to 1834.

The pictures don’t do the Terrace justice. I took these pictures on a cloudy day.

Samuel de Champlain

Known as the “Father of New France,” Champlain founded Quebec (1608), one of the oldest cities in what is now Canada, and consolidated French colonies. He also made important explorations of what is now northern New York, the Ottawa River, and the eastern Great Lakes.

This monument is located on the Dufferin Terrace, in front of the Chateau Frontenac. It is one of the tallest in Old Quebec. The statue of Champlain shows him in his forties. In his right hand he holds a cavalier hat decorated with a plume, and in his left, several rolled letters credential. Here is a little-known fact: no authentic portrait of Champlain is said to exist, so the sculptor undoubtedly drew inspiration from some other period portrait.

The bronze in high relief shows a woman, the personification of Québec City, recording major historical events in a book; to her right is a child who represents the science of navigation; and surmounted above is Victory with wings outstretched, holding a trumpet to her lips to sound the glory of this indomitable explorer.

What scenes have you seen in your travels?