Louis Auguste Léodar Couvrechef was born in Mathieu, Calvados, in 1827.
[1] Couvrechef was made a sub-inspector under architect Hippolyte Durand on the project to build the Villa Eugénie in Biarritz as a summer residence for the imperial family, starting in 1854.
Couvrechef, who was known to prefer a more decorative style, was given responsibility for continuing the work.
[3] Couvrechef was also involved in reconstruction of the Empress's Castillo de Arteaga in the province of Biscay in Spain, a medieval building surrounded by walls with four round towers.
[4] Couvrechef died in 1858 and was replaced as architect of the imperial residences by Gabriel-Auguste Ancelet.