It is located in the Petit Champlain commercial district, at the foot of Cap Diamant, and contains many boutique shops.

Quartier du Petit Champlain is claimed to be the oldest commercial district in North America.

Just beyond the steps is the lower entrance of the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec, an electric cableway established in 1879.

It takes passengers up and down Cap Diamant to and from Dufferin Terrace, beside the Château Frontenac.

The western side of the street contains frontages of buildings, in the shadow of Cap Diamant to their rears, whereas the rears of the buildings facing Boulevard Champlain occupy the eastern side.