Canada’s Economic Action Plan
This $600,000 investment will be used towards the creation of an access to Fort No. 1 from Route 132. This new access road will increase the fort’s visibility while improving the accessibility of the site. An additional parking area to accommodate up to 23 cars and 3 buses will also be created. This project also includes the reconfiguration of two casemates to enhance their potential to host business and social gatherings in a unique 19th century setting.
This amount is in addition to the investment announced last Spring, bringing the total investment at Lévis Forts National historic Site to more than $3 million. The funding announced in March will be used to restore the casemates, repoint the walls and improve the street furniture, and complements the new upgrades announced to protect this important attraction of the Chaudière-Appalaches Region.
Just in time for the 375th anniversary of the Lauzon seigniory in 2011, the Lévis Forts National Historic Site of Canada will provide the local community and visitors with improved infrastructures at a site where one can live real and inspiring experiences thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Lévis Forts National Historic Site of Canada
Located on the heights of Point Lévy, Fort No. 1, part of Lévis Forts National Historic Site of Canada, is the last link in a chain of three forts built under the supervision of British military engineers between 1865 and 1872. Property of Parks Canada, the fort has preserved its original shape and stands as a remarkable example of late 19th century military engineering and architecture. The fort is the only remaining example of this type in Canada. It has three major parts: the walls, the casemates and the parade grounds, all connected by a retractable rolling bridge and underground passageways.
The fort opens a window onto specific aspects of the country’s military history and defence strategy. An integral part of Québec’s defence complex, it bears witness to the evolution of fortification techniques, marking the transition from classical to modern military art, from the concept of the continuous rampart to the detached fort. In so doing, military engineers were trying to distance defensive structures from the town centre. The Lévis Forts completed the defence network protecting Québec against land invasions by the Americans.
Lévis Forts National Historic Site of Canada welcomed 21,166 visitors in 2009. Numerous school groups visit the fort every year. Parks Canada also hosts special events at the site, such as the Twilight Concert, coming up to its 11th edition in 2010.
