Quartier Petit-Champlain
مدينة كيبك
The Quartier Petit-Champlain is a neighbourhood in the lower town, at the foot of the cliff. Its main street is car-free and full of small shops.
A path that became a street
In the 1600s there was just a simple path here. Over time the street changed its name several times. Families who worked at the port and in the shipyards lived here. Between 1725 and 1760 all the houses were rebuilt in stone.
The Casse-Cou staircase
It is the oldest outdoor staircase in Quebec City, and it links the upper town to the lower town. At first it was much simpler. Today's staircase dates from the late 1960s. It has several landings, perfect for a photo.
A neighbourhood saved
In 1960 the neighbourhood was very poor and the houses were falling apart. In 1976 a designer and a businessman bought some buildings. They restored them, reusing everything they could, even objects found at the dump.
What to see from outside
Look at the shopfronts, the signs and the stone façades. Raise your eyes to the cliff: the upper town is up there. Without steps, you can go up and down by Côte de la Montagne and Rue Sous-le-Fort. There is also the funicular, which costs money.
