The Breakneck Stairs - Les Escaliers Casse-Cou: Quebec City's Most Thrilling Staircase
- urbanhorizonsqc
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
Fifty-nine steps. That's all it takes to travel between two completely different worlds in Old Québec. At the top, the grand streets of Upper Town — the Château Frontenac, the Fortifications, the seat of colonial power. At the bottom, the intimate cobblestone lanes of Lower Town and the St. Lawrence River. And connecting them, one of the most storied staircases in North America: the Breakneck Stairs Quebec City — or Escalier Casse-Cou as locals call them.
The Oldest Stairway in Québec City
The Breakneck Stairs — or Escalier Casse-Cou in French — are the oldest stairway in Quebec City, with origins dating back to 1635. In fact, this staircase appears on a map of the village that grew into Québec City as early as 1660. For nearly four centuries, this steep passage has been the fastest route between Upper Town and Lower Town, used by soldiers, merchants, sailors, and today, thousands of visitors with cameras in hand.
After Samuel de Champlain chose the top of Cap Diamant for his fortified residence, travelling between the port of Québec in Lower Town and the fort and residences in Upper Town required a solution. A steep pathway was carved into the hillside — and so the Breakneck Stairs were born.
It Wasn't Always Called That
The name Escalier Casse-Cou — literally "break your neck staircase" — wasn't always what people called it. The staircase was previously known as Champlain Stairs, Beggars' Stairs, and Lower Town Stairs, each name reflecting something about the people who used it and the times they lived in.
The "Beggars' Stairs" nickname tells its own story — this was the route of the working class, the labourers and dock workers moving between the port and the upper city. By the 1880s, the wooden structure had become so worn and precarious that London travel guides started calling it the Breakneck Stairs. The name stuck — and it's been impossible to forget ever since.
The Man Who Rebuilt Them
By the 1880s, the stairs had become genuinely dangerous. In 1889, the city called on Charles Baillairgé — Québec City's celebrated architect and civil engineer — to restore them. Baillairgé was already one of the most important figures in the city's architectural history, responsible for Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the central pavilion of Laval University, among many other landmarks.
His redesign transformed the single rickety wooden flight into a robust iron structure with three parallel ramps, making the descent considerably safer — if no less dramatic. The current version of the Breakneck Stairs dates from a major renovation in the late 1960s, when the entire Lower Town area was revitalized, but Baillairgé's vision shaped everything that followed.
A Shortcut — But Not the Only One
The Breakneck Stairs connect Côte de la Montagne in Upper Town to rue du Petit-Champlain in Lower Town — but they are just one part of the journey. For those heading all the way up to the Terrasse Dufferin and the Château Frontenac, additional steps continue beyond the top of the staircase. Old Québec rewards those who keep climbing.
And for those who'd rather not tackle the steep descent at all, the Funicular — a cable railway running alongside the stairs — offers the same stunning views with considerably less adventure.
What Waits at the Bottom
Step off the Breakneck Stairs and you arrive at one of the most charming streets in North America: rue du Petit-Champlain. This is Québec City's oldest commercial street, lined with flower boxes, stone buildings, artisan boutiques, and cozy cafés. In summer, the terrasses spill out onto the cobblestones. In winter, the street glows with thousands of lights under a blanket of snow.
Rue du Petit-Champlain was once a working harbour district — a rough-and-tumble place of traders and sailors. It fell into neglect through much of the 20th century before local artists reclaimed it in the 1970s, transforming it into the cultural gem it is today. Arriving here via the Breakneck Stairs, as visitors have for centuries, feels exactly as it should: like a reward for the descent.
Only 59 Steps — But Don't Let That Fool You
The Breakneck Stairs are not Québec City's longest staircase. But they are almost certainly the steepest. The drop is sharp and immediate, with the rooftops of Petit-Champlain appearing below you almost as soon as you begin. On a winter morning, with ice on the steps and snow dusting the rooftops below, it's one of the most breathtaking views in all of Québec.
A Famous Filming Location
Beyond history, the Breakneck Stairs have earned a modern claim to fame. The staircase became internationally known as a filming location for the Korean drama "Goblin," drawing fans from across Asia who travel to Québec City specifically to recreate scenes from the show. It's a reminder that the magic of Old Québec travels far beyond North America.
The Perfect Introduction to Old Québec
The Breakneck Stairs sit at the very heart of everything worth seeing in Old Québec. Below, rue du Petit-Champlain and Place Royale. Above, the Château Frontenac and the Terrasse Dufferin. It's not just a staircase — it's the crossroads of four centuries of history, connecting the upper and lower stories of this city in every sense of the word.
Discover It With Urban Horizons
Our walking tours pass right by the Breakneck Stairs, and we love sharing the stories most visitors never hear — from the Beggars' Stairs to Charles Baillairgé's iron redesign to the Korean drama fans making pilgrimages from across the world. Old Québec is full of moments like this, hiding in plain sight.
Ready to explore Québec City through a local's eyes? Book your tour with Urban Horizons today.