Nearby: Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Louisbourg, NS B1C 2L2 (902) 733-2280, Fax: (902) 733-2362 Getting there
The Site is located south of Sydney on Route 22, just beyond the modern town of Louisbourg. Take Exit 8 near Sydney. Driving time is 30 minutes. An alternate route is the scenic and coastal Marconi Trail, Route 255, from Glace Bay. Driving time is one hour. If you're driving from the Canso Causeway, take Route 4, the Fleur-de-Lis Trail, or TransCanada Highway 104 to Sydney. Or follow TransCanada Highway 105 through Baddeck to North Sydney and take Highway 125 to Sydney. Then take Exit 8 near Sydney to Route 22. Driving time for either route is 2.5 hours OverviewExperience 1744 Louisbourg, then a thriving seaport and capital of Īle Royale (Cape Breton Island). The Fortress of Louisbourg guarded one of France's busiest harbours in the New World.In 1719 the French began to construct a fortified town at Louisbourg, which was completed in 1745. While the fortress left the harbour well defended, the landward fortifications were close to (but not placed on top of) high ground, which turned out to provide excellent locations for enemy siege batteries. In 1745 New Englanders took only 46 days to capture the fortress, later returned to the French. In 1758 Louisbourg was besieged a second time by 13,100 British troops supported by a 14,000 crew on board 150 ships, who captured the fortress in seven weeks. Determined that Louisbourg would never again become a fortified French base, the British demolished the fortress walls. In 1961, the Government of Canada began a $25 million project to reconstruct about a quarter of the original town and fortifications. Within this area the buildings, yards, gardens and streets are being recreated as they were during the 1740s, immediately preceding Louisbourg's first siege. The work at Louisbourg included archaeological excavation, yielding millions of artifacts as well as the recovery of the ruins of fortifications and buildings. As well, 750,000 pages of documents and 500 maps and plans have been copied from various archives in France, England, Scotland, the United States and Canada. Visitor Centre hours:
The Fortress' bakery and restaurants Open - June 1 to September 30 for daytime or special evening events. Call (902) 733-3230 or fax (902) 733-3046. In the off-season, call (902) 733-3548. The fortress' restaurants observe the church calendar; you won't be served meat dishes on days of abstinence (Fridays and Saturdays). Fees
ActivitiesTheme Centres & ExhibitsThese activities relate to specific aspects of the Louisbourg story.
Ruins Walk Walk through the 18th-century ruins of buildings and fortifications. A self-guiding brochure and exhibit panels describe the ruins. The walk begins near the Museum. Picnic Areas Picnic near the site of the oldest lighthouse in Canada or at landing areas of siege forces.
There are two beautiful ocean beaches offering supervised and non-supervised swimming at nearby Kennington Cove and Anson's Cove, accessible until September 30. Community Map
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