Alexandre Dufour (1759-1835), architecte de Versailles

Alexandre Dufour (1759–1835) gave his name to the pavilion that is the Gabriel wing’s pendant, and which was refurbished in 2015 to welcome visitors to the Château de Versailles. However, this architect has remained almost unknown, with specialized dictionaries including him only on the basis of his relationship to Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine. After a first section devoted to clarifying Dufour’s origins and training, this article highlights the decisive role Fontaine played in the development of his career. The article details the various functions he held: starting simply as a works supervisor on sites Fontaine was responsible for, Dufour was then attached to the estate of Versailles from 1808. He successively held the positions of inspector, assistant architect and finally chief architect, and for twenty-four years devoted himself tirelessly to his task, working first for the Emperor, then Louis XVIII and very briefly Louis-Philippe. The last section details the architect’s various projects for the Château de Versailles under the Emperor and above all the very controversial stages of the construction, between 1814 and 1829, of what remains the most enduring trace he left in Versailles, that is the Dufour Pavilion.