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Encouraged by weak British resistance, the American rebels were able to capture Fort Saint-Jean south of Montreal in November 1775. This left the city without defence, and Governor Carleton fled. The rebels took Montreal, and began trying to raise Canadian troops to fight for them.

After the Conquest in 1760, the British moved into Fort Chambly. This website describes the role of the fort during the invasion of Canada by the Americans in 1775-1776 and again in the War of 1812.

In Europe, the war between France and England started in 1756 and played itself out on various fronts. In America the conflict was over territorial expansion. The English colonies wanted to move out towards the west but ran into the borders of New France. Therefore England decided to take drastic measures to chase the French off the continent. Fort Chambly was square in the middle of the conflict.

The third fort on this site, construction began on Fort Chambly in 1709. It was made of stone and looked rather like a castle. This made it different from the low-lying, bastioned fortresses of Europe. The fort was built to be impressive and all but impregnable to Indian enemies and raiding American colonials. The fort wall facing the Richelieu River was pierced for artillery. During the War of 1812, Fort Chambly was the HQ for British and Canadian troops guarding the area south of Montreal against an advance by American armies. The complex fell into ruins during the 19th century. Its walls were stabilized in 1885 when it was made a Canadian government historic park. Recognized as a unique surviving example of military architecture, Fort Chambly was given a major restoration in the 1980s by Parks Canada. This returned the fort to its appearance of the mid-18th century.

This model represents the original Fort Chambly. The original wooden log structure was built in 1665 and was typical of the early forts in Canada.

This was the third Fort Chambly. It was built of stone in an impressive castle-like design. (Library and Archives Canada, C-015885)

Description of the four forts that were built by the French at Chambly between 1665 and 1709.

Short biography of the first curator of Fort Chambly, Joseph-Octave Dion (1838-1916).

Fort Chambly stands on the banks of the Richelieu River, at the foot of the Chambly Rapids. Dating from 1711, it protected New France from British attacks, and now stands as an invaluable witness to the French presence in North America. Restored in 1983, exhibitions recounting key moments in New France are now presented within its walls. This website features visitor information, a picture gallery, and links to related sites.

Outside the St. Lawrence Valley, in the more distant forts and trading posts, the accommodations of the soldiers could be very rudimentary. The situation improved over the years, however, especially in the larger forts built in the eighteenth century.