A fort in Lévis?

They say the grass is always greener elsewhere… That’s what I thought too! But after years of living in Lévis, I realized that I was still unaware of one of its historic treasures: the Forts-de-Lévis National Historic Site, which proudly watches over the Lauzon district. I came out of curiosity, and I’m leaving completely won over!

Head for Lévis Forts National Historic Site. Tucked away in an ordinary residential neighborhood, lies Fort Numéro-Un, the last British fortification erected on Canadian soil 150 years ago. As soon as I arrived by the wooden bridge, I was impressed by this superb stone construction which, we later learned, still retains 75% of its original materials.

The main building, with its arched windows and doors, seems to be half-buried in the ground. And that’s the whole point! The purpose of this construction was to defend Quebec City against possible American attacks. Nearly 500 soldiers and craftsmen were employed in its construction in the 1860s. Enough to get your renovations done in no time!

But let’s get back to business. Martine and Marie-Jeanne, the friendly guides, greet us with broad smiles and the tour begins. We climb the small slope alongside the fort, once trampled by horses, and arrive at the flagpole, on which the Canadian flag flies proudly. And then, WOW! Spreading out 360 degrees, the view envelops us, between heaven and earth… Lévis, Quebec City and the Île d’Orléans come into view in all their splendour on this superb July day.

A little further on, on the chemin de ronde, stands a cannon. It’s an Armstrong cannon, named in honor of its designer William Armstrong in the mid-19ᵉ century. We’re told that this one, along with dozens of others, was intended to protect the fort and at the time had to be moved on its rail by a good dozen men to be properly oriented. All right, let’s give it a try! With my friend’s children, we tried our luck and pushed and pushed with all our might… but we failed miserably. The men of the time must not have eaten the same cereals as we did in the morning!