Breakneck Steps (L'Escalier Casse-Cou)
Breakneck Steps (L'Escalier Casse-Cou)
4.5
About
This steep stairway connects Lower Town with the Terrasse Dufferin.
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Top ways to experience Breakneck Steps (L'Escalier Casse-Cou)
The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown Quebec City
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848 within 3 miles
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347 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Dimitris LSydney, Australia51,613 contributionsNot quite .... "Breakneck Steps", but nice.When we first read about the "Breakneck Steps" we were a bit concerned about how we would tackle this particular problem.... However when we actually got there it was a relief to discover it is all a bit of a myth, more likely a tourist attraction! The steps are not really that steep and not that many. It's quite easy going down or up. Going down the steps is the way to the Lower Town, the older Quebec. A very beautiful part of the city and very picturesque. Not to be missed!Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 October 2023
- TheLeongOhanaUnited States7,575 contributionsBeautiful Stairs and ViewsWe went up and down these stairs a couple times during our stay heading between the upper and lower towns. Stairs were solid wood. At each flight of stairs there was a small patio area to take a break and visit a store or restaurant. The name of these stairs were a bit of a misnomer as it was the nicest set of stairs we climbed in Quebec City. From the top we took a picture perfect view of Rue de Petit Champlain.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 April 2024
- sanju_222323New Jersey17,252 contributionsPerfect place to take photos of Champlain stwhat a view of Petit Champlain Street, and the perfect place to take photos as well (of course be mindful of fellow tourists). it offers a wonderful view of one of Canada's most picturesque streets: rue du Petit-Champlain. This outdoor staircase, the oldest in Québec City, dates back to the beginning of the French colony. The 59 steps of the Breakneck Stairs connecting côte de la Montagne to rue du Petit-Champlain are just one of the ways to move between Upper and Lower Town. first, when I was researching about this, I was like "It might be like 200-300 steps to reach the upper side" but it's fairly easy. I did not even break a sweat. locals told us that in the winter, the scene is even more sublime when Christmas lights are twinkling and the snow gently falling. In the summer, the ultimate experience on the Stairs consists of eating or having a drink at one of the restaurant terraces located on the different landings.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
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chaseadventure
Vermont10 contributions
Jan 2020
Be prepared to take these stairs WAYYYY more than you think you will. The line for the thing that carries you up and down the hill is not worth the wait, so we used the stairs probably 15 times. Exhausting and bad for impatient people. Enchanting the first time, it gets old, but I'm grateful there's another option other than the thingie that carries you back and forth.
Written 31 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robertdD5422BG
Trenton, Canada24 contributions
Jul 2022
This is a stair case with history as the name suggests. Today it is perfectly safe to use, we've used it more than once. It is hard to keep its history in mind while useing it because of all the small businesses lining both sides. It provides great access to more of this beautiful city regardless of weather you are going up or down.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
victoriafoody
Victoria, Canada303 contributions
Jun 2022
I have to admit I was confused by the name as the staircase isn't that bad. There are other steeper scarier staircases in the city that take you from the upper part of the city to the lower part. However, this is in heart of the old city tourist area and there are lots of quaint stores on the staircase. It worth taking the stairs to get the view of Rue de Petit Champlain and to browse thru the stores.
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,575 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We went up and down these stairs a couple times during our stay heading between the upper and lower towns. Stairs were solid wood. At each flight of stairs there was a small patio area to take a break and visit a store or restaurant.
The name of these stairs were a bit of a misnomer as it was the nicest set of stairs we climbed in Quebec City.
From the top we took a picture perfect view of Rue de Petit Champlain.
The name of these stairs were a bit of a misnomer as it was the nicest set of stairs we climbed in Quebec City.
From the top we took a picture perfect view of Rue de Petit Champlain.
Written 24 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sanju_222323
New Jersey17,252 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
what a view of Petit Champlain Street, and the perfect place to take photos as well (of course be mindful of fellow tourists). it offers a wonderful view of one of Canada's most picturesque streets: rue du Petit-Champlain.
This outdoor staircase, the oldest in Québec City, dates back to the beginning of the French colony. The 59 steps of the Breakneck Stairs connecting côte de la Montagne to rue du Petit-Champlain are just one of the ways to move between Upper and Lower Town.
first, when I was researching about this, I was like "It might be like 200-300 steps to reach the upper side" but it's fairly easy. I did not even break a sweat.
locals told us that in the winter, the scene is even more sublime when Christmas lights are twinkling and the snow gently falling. In the summer, the ultimate experience on the Stairs consists of eating or having a drink at one of the restaurant terraces located on the different landings.
This outdoor staircase, the oldest in Québec City, dates back to the beginning of the French colony. The 59 steps of the Breakneck Stairs connecting côte de la Montagne to rue du Petit-Champlain are just one of the ways to move between Upper and Lower Town.
first, when I was researching about this, I was like "It might be like 200-300 steps to reach the upper side" but it's fairly easy. I did not even break a sweat.
locals told us that in the winter, the scene is even more sublime when Christmas lights are twinkling and the snow gently falling. In the summer, the ultimate experience on the Stairs consists of eating or having a drink at one of the restaurant terraces located on the different landings.
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie
Vancouver, Canada933 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
The Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Steps) is a 59-step steep staircase, the oldest in Québec City, dating back to the beginning of the French colony in 1680, connecting côte de la Montagne to rue du Petit-Champlain. The stairs take you to a beautiful, lively street with shops to browse and unique restaurants/cafes. It's truly gorgeous to witness the Old Quebec's charm by walking down these stairs. Such an amazing tourist attraction, linking the upper town to the lower town of the city.
Written 14 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KangKang
Tainan, Taiwan17,875 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
From Upper Quebec to the European-style Little Champlain Street in Lower Town, you must pass by this steep staircase called the Broken Neck Staircase. Built in 1635, it is the oldest staircase in Quebec. After many renovations, although the current stairs are still steep, they are divided into three sections, with a platform in the middle of each section for tourists to take a rest. It is less tiring to walk from top to bottom. If you walk in the opposite direction, you need to raise your head frequently, so you can experience why this staircase is called the Broken Neck Ladder.
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA18,422 contributions
Jun 2023
Yes it is a steep staircase, but it is not so long and you will be up it in a few seconds. And it takes you to a prominent spot in the old city, a good place to gaze out on it. And you will probably want to continue uphill to the hotel. Some nice food along the way.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FlyAtNight
Brooklin, Canada3,642 contributions
Sept 2021
The Breakneck Steps are another must see attraction in Québec City. It links Côte de la Montagne and Quartier Petit-Champlain. The view of restaurants and boutiques from the top of the steps is impressive.
Written 19 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foodange
Manchester, UK4,704 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
It’s a pretty short staircase with art shops and restaurants along it.
Not steep so couldn’t quite work out what the fuss was about. If you break your neck on this, don't attempt the Promenade des Gouverneurs!
Great views from the top.
Not steep so couldn’t quite work out what the fuss was about. If you break your neck on this, don't attempt the Promenade des Gouverneurs!
Great views from the top.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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