The recently completed third phase of the Promenade Samuel-de Champlain represents a remarkable transformation of Quebec City's waterfront, marking the culmination of a 15-year urban renewal project that has fundamentally changed the relationship between the city and the St. Lawrence River. Designed by the architectural firm Daoust Lestage Lizotte Stecker, this ambitious undertaking has converted what was once a desolate expanse of highways and railway corridors into a vibrant 2.5-kilometer recreational and cultural destination spanning approximately 150,000 square meters.
The project's genesis lies in addressing a significant urban barrier that had long separated Quebec City residents from their historic waterfront. Previously, the area along the St. Lawrence River was dominated by transportation infrastructure that created an insurmountable divide between the city and its natural riverfront setting. The visionary decision to transform the highway into an urban boulevard and relocate the railway tracks unlocked vast potential for public space development, creating an ideal canvas for what would become one of Canada's most significant waterfront revitalization projects.
The architectural vision embraced by Daoust Lestage Lizotte Stecker was comprehensive and multidisciplinary in scope, encompassing every scale of design from master planning to architectural details, landscape architecture, urban furniture, and wayfinding systems. The primary objective was clear and powerful: to return the river to the people of Quebec. This goal drove every design decision and shaped the project's ultimate success in creating meaningful public space.
The design team, led by Réal Lestage and Eric Lizotte, drew inspiration from the area's rich industrial heritage rooted in the timber trade and shipbuilding industries that once thrived along this stretch of the St. Lawrence River. The architectural language deliberately mirrors the ingenuity and pragmatic approach of early 19th-century industrialists, finding strength and elegance in modern interpretations of historical building techniques and materials. This connection to place and history gives the project a distinctive character that resonates with both locals and visitors.
The project amplifies the presence of the river while celebrating the site's historical iconography and the unique character of its coastal ecosystem. The design team paid careful attention to the natural systems and ecological processes that define this stretch of riverfront, ensuring that the new infrastructure would enhance rather than compete with the natural environment.
The final phase serves as the captivating centerpiece of the entire project with the development of an urban beach that pays homage to the beloved "Plage du Foulon" that once animated this area in the previous century. This beach represents far more than a recreational amenity; it epitomizes the societal contribution that an architectural project of this nature can provide to a community. Open and accessible to all residents and visitors regardless of age, background, or social status, it serves as a new recreational haven that democratizes access to the waterfront.
The beach design creates a sophisticated interplay between different water features, including a mirror of water, a designated swimming area, and the natural river itself. This creates a seamless visual and experiential connection, with the illusion of bathing and strolling within the river's embrace, achieved through the infinite line of overflowing basins that blur the boundaries between artificial and natural water features. The sandy beach, complemented by a carefully designed beach wall and sea lyme grass plantings, crafts a landscape that feels like a riverside resort while respecting the unique character of the St. Lawrence River waterway.
Flanking the beach, the promenade unfolds with diverse functions and carefully orchestrated atmospheric changes that provide varied experiences for different users and activities. To the west, visitors can traverse a series of gardens that mimic the region's native coastal meadows, blending natural topographical contours with plant compositions characteristic of authentic coastal landscapes. This section celebrates the indigenous flora of the St. Lawrence River corridor while providing educational opportunities for visitors to learn about local ecosystems.
On the eastern side of the promenade, a dockside trail highlights and protects an existing marshland, culminating in an expansive green plain that serves multiple recreational functions. This area demonstrates the project's commitment to preserving and enhancing existing natural features rather than replacing them with entirely artificial landscapes.
The promenade is strategically punctuated by three distinctive pavilions, each offering different services and amenities while being designed in visual and material continuity with the surrounding landscaping. The Pavilion de la Voile, in particular, serves as an architectural focal point that provides shelter, services, and gathering spaces for visitors while maintaining sight lines to the river and surrounding landscape features.
Beyond its recreational and cultural functions, the project served as a crucial opportunity to restore biodiversity to an area that had been neglected for decades due to its industrial and transportation uses. The design team worked closely with environmental specialists to revitalize the Saint-Michel marsh, a critical ecosystem that supports diverse flora and fauna species native to the St. Lawrence River valley. This ecological restoration work ensures that the project contributes positively to regional environmental health while providing educational opportunities for visitors to learn about local natural systems.
The construction phase, managed by Pomerleau, involved complex coordination between multiple engineering and consulting firms. Civil engineering work was handled by AtkinsRéalis, WSP, and Tetra Tech, while mechanical systems were designed by François Ménard. The technical team, including David Gilbert, Luca Fortin, and Mélissa Simard, ensured that all infrastructure systems were designed to withstand the challenging environmental conditions of the St. Lawrence River corridor while minimizing maintenance requirements.
The project's material palette reflects both its coastal setting and its connection to Quebec's architectural heritage. Wood, glass, and steel are used throughout the project in ways that reference traditional building techniques while meeting contemporary performance and durability standards. Specialized products from manufacturers like Equiparc were selected for their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions while maintaining aesthetic appeal over time.
The outcome of this multidisciplinary effort is a project that appears seamlessly woven into its natural and urban environment, creating spaces that feel both timeless and thoroughly contemporary. Since its inauguration, the promenade has been recognized as a resounding success among visitors, urban planners, and architectural critics alike. It has become a source of collective pride and identity for Quebec City residents while attracting visitors from across Canada and internationally.
The project perfectly aligns with contemporary urban planning objectives related to public health, ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate action. By providing extensive opportunities for walking, cycling, swimming, and other forms of active recreation, the promenade contributes to community health outcomes. Its ecological restoration work and sustainable design features help address climate change challenges while creating resilient infrastructure that can adapt to changing environmental conditions.
The Promenade Samuel-de Champlain stands as a model for waterfront development projects worldwide, demonstrating how thoughtful design can heal urban wounds, restore natural systems, and create meaningful public spaces that serve diverse community needs. Its success lies not only in its architectural and landscape design excellence but in its fundamental commitment to returning public access to natural amenities while respecting and enhancing the ecological and cultural heritage of place.
