Perched on a rocky outcrop of Cape Breton Island overlooking the Atlantic, sits the Fortress of Louisbourg. From its establishment by the French in 1713 until the withdrawal of the last British troops in 1768, Louisbourg played an important role in the struggle between the English and the French for control over North America. In 1745 an army of New Englanders, supported by a British naval squadron, captured Louisbourg after a 46-day siege. The town was returned to the French by treaty, and then besieged again in 1758. The assault lasted seven weeks, but in the end the French stronghold and naval base fell again, opening the way for the British conquest of the rest of New France.
Today, the Fortress of Louisbourg is the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America and a popular historic Nova Scotia museum. A faithful reconstruction of a 250-year old town, with its stone ramparts, streets, households, restaurants, bustling waterfront tavern, and costumed animators, this Nova Scotia attraction offers visitors all the sights, sounds and experiences of another age.
Fortress of Louisburg Visitor Centre Hours:
May 1 to June 30 – 9:30am to 5:00pm
July 1 to August 31 – 9am to 5pm
September 1 to October 31 – 9:30am to 5pm
Through May 1 to May 31 and October 16 to October 31 there is no animation or services open. The Fortress of Louisbourg is closed from November 1 to April 30 and visits are by pre-arrangement only.
Allow a full day to take in all the sights and think about taking one of the guided walking tours. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended and bring a sweater or raincoat for those cool Atlantic mists.
Interesting facts
- In its heyday, Louisbourg was a major colonial settlement of several thousand inhabitants
- An average of 150 vessels a year once sailed into Louisbourg harbour, making it the busiest seaport in New France and one of the busiest in North America
- The cod fishery was the foundation on which the economy of Louisbourg and Île Royale (Cape Breton) rested
- The per capita value of Île Royale's dried cod exports in 1737 was about eight times greater than the value of Canada’s fur trade during the same period.
- Louisbourg's importance as a trading centre was demonstrated by its many warehouses, careening wharf, admiralty court, harbour defences and what was Canada's first lighthouse
- The English occupied Louisbourg twice: 1745-49 and 1758-68.