Exterior view

Ledoux’s barri�res or tollhouses became a distinctive feature of the Parisian cityscape. The tollhouses was to contain the flourishing smuggling trade in the growing city behind a new ring of masonry. Ledoux was commissioned in 1784 to build more than 50 such barri�res, but only four have survived. In view of the large number of pavilions with identical functions, Ledoux made an effort to come up with an architecture that was not only appropriate to the exposed positions, but also both showy and varied. Vigorous rustication emphasized the fortified nature of the buildings. However, the character of the buildings was evident primarily in their squareness and massiveness.

The Barri�re de la Villette consists of a cubic block with a cylindrical drum.