Côte de la Montagne, Thoroughfare in Vieux-Québec, Canada
Côte de la Montagne is a steep street that links the Upper Town and Lower Town sections of Quebec City, following the natural slope of Cap Diamant. Stone steps and wide cobblestone surfaces run along the route, providing access to shops and restaurants positioned throughout.
The street dates to 1608 when Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City, making it one of the first roads in North America. Over centuries, it has been modified and reshaped, yet remains a direct link to early French colonial settlement.
The street reflects French colonial town design, with religious buildings, government offices, and shops all positioned along its course. You can see how daily life, faith, and business were woven together in this historic neighborhood.
The slope is steep and requires sturdy footwear and reasonable physical fitness to navigate comfortably in either direction. Taking your time to walk slowly allows you to enjoy views of the city and river that reveal themselves along the way.
At certain points along this ascending route, visitors can see both the Saint Lawrence River and the fortified walls of Upper Town at the same time. These sightlines shift as you move up the steps, making each turn reveal something different.
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