Forts-et-Châteaux-Saint-Louis

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In 1723, military engineer and architect Chaussegros de Léry receives the mandate to complete the residence of the governor of New France, Chateau Saint-Louis. The construction on this building, second of its name, started in 1693 but had stopped for then to continue in three stages: 1700, 1705, and 1719. De Léry preserves the original classical architecture of 1693 but must demonstrate imagination to meet the needs of occupants and significantly expand the southern wing without breaking the symmetry of the chateau's facade. He chooses a double solution: relocating kitchens to the basement level to free up space on the first floor, taking advantage of a natural incline in the terrain, and erecting exterior stair towers that will flank a central balcony, thus redesigning a symmetrical storefront. National Historic Site of Forts-and-Chateau-Saint-Louis, Parks Canada