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Historic site · Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Fortress of Louisbourg
Partial reconstruction of an 18th-century French fortified town in southeastern Cape Breton, with houses, barracks, walls and interpreters dressed as 1744 inhabitants.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Fortress of Louisbourg
Louisbourg was founded by the French in 1713 as a fishing port and fortress guarding the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It was besieged and captured twice, in 1745 and 1758, and later demolished by the British. Beginning in the 1960s, the Canadian government rebuilt about a quarter of the town on the original foundations.
The Fortress of Louisbourg, a Parks Canada national historic site, recreates the year 1744. Houses, warehouses, the governor’s residence, the chapel and the walls can be visited. Interpreters dressed as soldiers, fishermen, servants and officers carry out daily tasks, fire muskets and give demonstrations; taverns serve food inspired by the period.
The fortress stands on a point exposed to the Atlantic, with frequent wind and fog. The full program runs in summer; in other months visiting is limited. Check current dates and the schedule before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a full day.
Best time
June to September, when the full interpreter program runs. Bring a warm layer even in summer.
How to get there
About 1.5 hours’ drive from Baddeck, via Sydney. From the visitor centre parking lot, a shuttle bus takes you to the fortress.
Tip
Set aside a full day and have lunch in one of the fortress taverns to see the town at its liveliest.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Fortress of Louisbourg
Is the Fortress of Louisbourg original?
It is a reconstruction of about a quarter of the town, begun in the 1960s on the original 18th-century foundations.
How long should you spend at the Fortress of Louisbourg?
Half a day to a full day to see the houses, the walls and the demonstrations.
When is the Fortress of Louisbourg open?
The full program runs in summer; in other months visiting is reduced. Check the dates for the year.