Breakneck Stairs

The Breakneck Stairs, or Breakneck Steps, is Quebec City's oldest stairway, built in 1635. Originally called escalier Champlain, escalier du Quêteux, or escalier de la Basse-Ville, they were given their current name in the mid-19th century, because of their steepness. The stairs, which connect Côte de la Montagne in the "Upper Town" to the corner of Rue du Petit-Champlain and Rue Sous-le-Fort in the "Lower Town", have been restored several times, including an 1889 renovation by Charles Baillargé which converted the steps from a single flight to four.
Several businesses are located on the western side of the steps at each of its four flights.