"This walkway, steeped in history and located along the Sillery cliff, has always been a well-kept secret. But its recent development by the Ville de Québec, which includes a staircase winding through the cape, could make it one of the region's most emblematic strolling spots. The trail runs for 1.3 kilometers, between the church of Saint-Michelde-Sillery and the Cataraqui estate. Its location, behind the villas and religious properties built along Chemin Saint-Louis, offers a unique view of one of the city's most beautiful areas. It's as if we had access to the backstage of Sillery and its splendors of yesteryear.
Through the mature forest that covers the cape, the trail also offers magnificent views of the river and bridges, echoing the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain just below. With its inviting wooden benches and elegant belvederes, the area has managed to retain much of its old-world charm. Its green spaces and trees, including some venerable centenarians, create a succession of breathtakingly beautiful tableaux." (excerpts, Radio Canada, 2022)
The cliffs surrounding Quebec City are dotted with almost 30 staircases that allow you to move between the lower and upper parts of the city: "You can't claim to know this city and its inhabitants very well if you haven't climbed or descended most of these staircases at least once in your life. Because each one has its own personality, its own clientele and its own story. Quebec City is a city that can be walked on dry land. The sheer number of staircases is clear proof. This city hides secrets. Charles Baillairgé (1836-1906) Of all these staircases, the Sentier des Grands Domaines is the most recent (2022). It is special in that it is totally anchored and integrated into the site, to the point where it disappears into the landscape. It reflects the history, heritage and culture of the people who have shaped this site, allowing us to look back and forward in an immersive experience along a contemplative path."(Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.68).
Photo : RADIO-CANADA / CATHERINE LACHAUSSÉE. Master plan of the Sentier des Grands domaines project (Ville de Québec) Link to Google map: Sentier des Grands Domaines
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Publication:7 September 2025
