A "tertre" is a narrow, very sharply sloping Chartres way, linking the lower city, on the banks of the river Eure, to the upper city.

Some of these pathways, in existence since the Middle Ages, are still in use today. Over the years, they have been modernised and the muddy slopes have become ramps or steps.

Their names have also changed according to the way they were used at the time or to surrounding streets.
Today they are called "Flat-footed Tertre", "Fishmonger's Tertre", or they bear the name of a saint: St Francis, St Nicholas, St Eman, St Aignan and so on. Exploring them makes for a very agreeable, if quite vigorous, walk!

If you take the Tertre de la Poissonnerie – the Fishmonger's Tertre – near the Maison du Saumon – Salmon House – it will lead you down to the old streets of the lower city, where you will be able to admire, amongst other things, the Queen Berthe Stairs.




To learn more about the tertres, click on "Video".