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Tour de Lévis work

The Tour de Lévis Tower was built in 1937 in conjunction with the development of the municipal park on Île Sainte-Hélène. Housing an abandoned water reservoir, the tower is now one of the main landmarks on the islands' landscape. The top of the tower has an observation deck which affords visitors an outstanding view of downtown Montréal, and this panorama extends to the South Shore's metropolitan area.

Restoration work

As part of its 2020-2030 Conservation, Design and Development Management Plan, the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau defined a conservation plan for all its heritage assets, including the Tour de Lévis. The work aligns with the plan for an overall vision of the project, and once completed, it will enhance visitors' enjoyment and experience, make the site safer and preserve the high quality of this built heritage.

Features and components of the sector

The Tour de Lévis has a municipal status as a "heritage building of interest" and is also designated as being "an outstanding heritage value sector" in the City of Montréal's urban plan. Major efforts have been made to preserve this iconic heritage to ensure the building's historical continuity and enhance its historical and social significance.

The Tour de Lévis is composed of breccia stones that come from a quarry on Île Sainte-Hélène. During exploratory work on the building, numerous problems were detected in the masonry on the building's inner and outer facings; this was due to the tower being exposed to bad weather conditions, the leaning of the wall, the positioning of the tower atop a cliff and, mainly, the changing quality of the stone. On the latter point, an analytical report underscored the fact a "breccia" stone type should not be used because of their characteristics (micro-cracking, heterogenous porosity, etc.) and their poor, long-term mechanical performances for this type of work. As a result, about 90% of the stones will eventually have to be replaced by a more durable stone recommended by specialists, namely a silica sandstone which will oxidize over time and become the same colour as the original stones.

The restoration strategies set down for the Tour de Lévis will be used for upcoming work on all the buildings that have this stone, which is emblematic of the Parc. This includes the Aquatic Complex, Hélène-de-Champlain pavilion and some of the public urinals.

Timetable

Phase 1

August 2020 to
April 2021

Structural work

Exploratory work needs to be done on the Tour de Lévis to:

Check the condition of the existing stone, repair the cracks and replace the damaged stones.
Reparation work on the steel structure.

Budget	$800 000
Status	Finished
Impact	The Tour de Lévis will not be open to the public while the work is going on.

Phase 2

August 2021 to
September 2022

Restoration of the building envelope

Phase 2 continues the masonry work done during Phase 1, which enabled the restoration of about 20% of the tower's outer facing. Phase 2 work, consists of, but is not limited to, the following:

Restoring the outer masonry, the remaining 80%.
Restoring the inner masonry: rejointing, solidifying the major cracks, replacing the window lintels.
Minor repairs to the windows, sealing and painting.

Budget	$3 million
Status	Finished
Impact	The Tour de Lévis will not be open to the public while the work is going on.

Phase 3

April 2023 to
September 2023

Lighting and accessibility

Phase 3 of the Tour de Lévis is a project relating to electrical-mechanical renovations, lighting and accessibility:

Installing universal sanitation facilities and an access ramp.
Bringing electrical equipment up to standard for indoor and outdoor lighting of the tower and reservoir.
Adding a ventilation system with cool air input for season-round use and bringing the fire protection and safety equipment up to standard.
Landscaping the premises and repairing the outside stairway.

Budget	$1.5 million
Status	Has not started
Impact	The Tour de Lévis will not be open to the public while the work is going on.

Videos

Video clip on the work at the Parc Jean-Drapeau's Tour de Lévis.

Learn more

To obtain more details or for any request for information, do not hesitate to contact our staff.

514 872-6120 Email Form

Mobility

Getting to Tour de Lévis

To make it easier to get around, here is the exact location of the Tour de Lévis at Parc Jean-Drapeau posted on Google Maps.

Jean-Drapeau Subway Station

The Jean-Drapeau subway station is located on Île Sainte-Hélène, in the heart of Parc Jean-Drapeau. To get to the Parc easily and quickly, the subway is still the best way to go!

River shuttle

During the summer season, Parc Jean-Drapeau visitors can use the river shuttle as a means of transportation, from the Vieux-Port de Montréal (Jacques-Cartier pier) and the city of Longueuil.

Users can also bring along their bikes and they have access to a network of cycling paths at each stop.

STM shuttle

Two STM shuttles provide a connection between the Jean-Drapeau subway station and various attractions:

767 (summer season only)
- La Ronde
768 (summer season only)
- Jean-Doré Beach
777 (every day of the year)
- Casino de Montréal

To find out about STM shuttle routes and schedules, click here.

Bike

The Parc is one of the few places where you can cross the Saint Lawrence River on your bike: simply take the bike paths of the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the Concorde Bridge or the Bike link.

Walking

People can enjoy many of the cycling paths to get to or pass through the Parc Jean-Drapeau, either running or walking.

With more than 25 kilometres of trails and pathways, the Parc is a pleasant spot for hiking, all year round.

Parking

Motorists can get to Parc Jean-Drapeau by taking the Jacques Cartier Bridge or the Concorde Bridge.

Nearby parking areas: P10, P11, P12

Rates and parking areas

Taxibus service

You can reserve a taxi for your travels at the Parc by using a valid STM transport fare (ticket or OPUS card).

Schedule

September 3 to June 23
Monday to Sunday	6:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.

The service is not offered on statutory holidays

Reservation

You need to reserve 30 minutes beforehand whenever you want to use this service : 514 273-6331 or online form

Taxibus stops

Métro Jean-Drapeau, Athletes' Quarters, La Ronde, Espace Paddock, Pavillon du Canada, Pavillon des Services and Pavillon de la Tunisie.

Subway
Station
Taxibus
service
STM
shuttle
River
shuttle
Bike
Walking
Parking

Notices