Breakneck Steps

Breakneck Steps is a 59-step staircase in Quebec City that connects Côte de la Montagne to Rue du Petit-Champlain. It forms a direct passage between Upper and Lower Town through a steep slope lined with historic buildings.

Samuel de Champlain established this path in 1620 when he built his residence at the top of the cape. French colonial authorities later created the steps to link the two sections of town together.

The stairs link two neighborhoods and have long served as a meeting point where locals and visitors gather naturally. You see people sitting at terraces along the landings, watching the rhythm of the city unfold around them.

The steps are steep and require sturdy footwear, especially when wet or snowy. Restaurants and cafés on different landings offer good spots to rest while you take in the view.

British tour guides gave these steps their dramatic name during the 1800s, yet the staircase has never had serious accidents despite its fearsome reputation. The name stuck even though the structure proved far safer than visitors might expect.

Location: La Cité-Limoilou

Location: Québec

Address: 5 Esc. Casse-Cou, Québec, QC G1K 9L9, Canada

GPS coordinates: 46.81278,-71.20355

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:01