Fort Chambly

The French built a wooden fort here in 1665 to control the Richelieu, the invasion route between New France and the Iroquois and later the English colonies, and replaced it in stone between 1709 and 1711 to a design by the engineer Josué Boisberthelot de Beaucours; it is the best preserved French colonial fort in North America. The rapids beside it were the reason for the site, since boats had to be portaged. It later passed to the British, held American prisoners and served in the war of 1812 and the 1837 rebellions. The fort sits in a park on the river with the rapids running past.

What you actually see

• The stone fort - the best preserved French colonial fort on the continent.
• The Richelieu rapids - the obstacle that made the site strategic.
• The bastioned walls - a compact square fort with four corner bastions.
• The riverside park - grounds along the water beside the fort.

When to go

May to October for full opening; the fort reduces hours or closes in winter. Summer brings costumed programming and a period music festival in the grounds.

Honest expectations

The interior is largely bare rooms with exhibits rather than furnished spaces. It is compact and takes about ninety minutes. Winter access is limited.

Nearby

Montreal lies northwest; the Richelieu valley runs south.