Montée du Crêt de Roc, Historic stone stairway in Saint-Étienne, France.
Montée du Crêt de Roc is a steep stone stairway that connects the city center to the hilltop residential area by ascending through multiple flights. The stairs feature decorative metal railings and run through a residential slope that residents use as a shortcut between different city levels.
This stairway was built in the early 1900s to address the steep terrain and improve connections between city sections. Its construction became necessary as Saint-Étienne's population expanded through industrial growth, requiring better pathways to connect the expanding residential areas.
The ironwork railings showcase the metalwork traditions of Saint-Étienne, a city that built its reputation on steel and iron production. These details reflect how industrial skills shaped both the practical and decorative elements of the neighborhood's character.
The stairway is open daily and heavily used by residents as part of their daily route through the neighborhood. Wear good shoes for the climb, especially during rainy weather when the stone steps can become slippery.
Before this stairway was built, residents created their own passages through buildings to navigate the steep slope during winter months. These informal shortcuts became so common that they were part of daily life until the formal staircase made them unnecessary.
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