Promenade Samuel-De Champlain

The Promenade Samuel-De Champlain is where Québec City goes to the river, and one of the most successful waterfront parks in Canada. A gift from the provincial government to the city for its 400th anniversary, it stretches 6.8 kilometres along the north shore of the St. Lawrence, from the Pierre-Laporte bridge to Côte Gilmour, below the cliffs west of the old town. The park is divided into themed zones. Station des Quais has four gardens named for the quays of the old port — Quai-des-Brumes, Quai-des-Flots, Quai-des-Hommes and Quai-des-Vents — with sculptural fog jets and river views. Station des Cageux is built around a reclaimed industrial wharf named for the raftsmen who floated timber down the river, and its 25-metre observation tower gives a wide view up and down the St. Lawrence. Station de la Plage has a sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas, an infinity pool, a mirror pool with fountains and restaurant service, and further zones cover sailing and sports. A continuous path links everything for walking, running and cycling, and benches face the water all the way along. It is open daily from early morning until late evening, with free parking on site, and in summer an RTC bus links it with the Old Port on weekends. Fit: families who need space to run, couples on a sunset walk or bike ride, and anyone who wants to see Québec City’s relationship with its river.

The park’s great quality is calm. After the crowds of the old town, the promenade feels open and green, with big skies, ships passing on the river and the bridges framing the view to the west. Sunsets over the water are superb, and the cycling path makes it easy to cover the whole length in an hour or two.

How to plan it: in summer, rent or bring a bike and ride the full length, stopping at the Cageux tower and the beach; families can spend an afternoon at the Plage zone. Bring a picnic from the Grand Marché, or eat at the park’s restaurant. Outside summer the paths are still pleasant for a walk, though some water features are seasonal. Combine with the Plains of Abraham above and the Aquarium du Québec further west.

Practicals: main address 2795 boulevard Champlain; open daily, early morning to late evening; free entry and free parking; summer weekend bus from the Old Port. Fit: families, couples, cyclists and anyone wanting a riverside break. The park has been widely praised for its design, which shows in the details: the boardwalks, the lighting, the plantings that frame the river rather than hiding it, and the way old industrial structures were reused. It is also part of a longer riverside cycling network, so keen cyclists can continue toward the Old Port and beyond. Bring sun protection on summer afternoons, as shade is limited along parts of the path, and a light jacket for the breeze off the water in the evening.