Escalier Montmorency, Monumental stairs in Le Havre, France
Escalier Montmorency is a monumental staircase in Le Havre that connects the upper and lower sections of the city. It comprises several hundred steps with a significant elevation gain and features wide treads that accommodate different types of users.
The stairs were inaugurated in 1928 as a mechanical system with moving steps, similar to a modern escalator. This innovative engineering made it one of only two such systems in the world at the time.
The stairs bear the name of a noble family and form a vital link between different neighborhoods in the city. Visitors can observe how locals integrate this passage into their daily movement through the urban landscape.
The staircase allows pedestrians, cyclists, and people with strollers to navigate between different elevation levels of the city. Visitors should be prepared for a significant climb and wear comfortable footwear.
In the 2010s, local artists and residents painted thousands of geometric fields on the steps with colorful patterns. This art intervention transformed the staircase into a vibrant gallery that defines the urban landscape.
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