Quebec civil law recognised, relatively early, that by restraining the regular rules of accession, it was possible to juridically dissociate an immovable. Though the appellation "right of superficies" was rapidly adopted by all, the juridical nature of this right was the subject of much debate in the legal community. While some qualified it as a property right, others believed it was a mere dismemberment. The presence of a property right alongside an accessory right also explains why the right of superficies has been presented as a mixed right. Taking advantage of the recent recodification, the legislator has, after some hesitation, retained the appellation "superficies" and deemed this institution a special mode of ownership (s. 1009 C.C.Q.). This solution, though aiming at the modernisation of property law, nonetheless raises questions. Far from being a simple terminological change, the legislator's choice may have shattered some foundations of property law.