The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Park is the crown jewel of the Canadian Park Service and the largest historical reconstruction in Canada. Fortress Louisbourg was built to protect France's interests in the new world and to serve as the centre of its massive seasonal fishing industry.Its location near the eastern tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia enabled it to serve not only as the capital of the new colony of Ile Royale but also to act as the first line of defence for France in its 18th century struggle against Great Britain for colonial supremacy in North America.

Fortress Louisbourg was first
captured in 1745 after a six week
siege by New England troops with
the support of the British navy. After three years under British governors, the Fortress of Louisbourg was returned to France by treaty in 1749 inspite of the protests of the American colonies. After almost a decade of increasing prosperity, the much stronger Fortress again fell again after another six week siege in 1758, this time to the largest assembled assault force in colonial Canadian history.The fortifications were blown up in 1760-61 and the British military presence withdrawn in 1768. The imported cut stone which was widely used in the original construction of the Fortress was re-used around the province, and is still found in buildings standing today at both Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia and along the eastern seaboard. The new town of Louisburg would be a community established first by English and Irish soldiers who served at the second siege of Louisbourg and at Quebec, to be joined soon afterwards by Loyalists and more Irish via Placentia, Nfld.

An initiative of the government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1961, the rebuilding over the next two decades of Fortress Louisbourg transformed the ruins from heaps of grass and stones to the impressive historical and interpretive site it is today. The old capital of Isle Royale was back!

The Fortress offers a unique window into our past and our 18^th century colonial history. Dozens of costumed animators become the town's residents of the summer of 1744. Surrounded by ramparts, the King's Bastion is a fort within a fortress. The King's Bastion Barracks is the largest building on site and in its day was one of the largest buildings in North America. Visit Chapelle St. Louis, Louisbourg's garrison chapel. See artifacts found during 20 years of archaeological excavation. Talk to a soldier. You'll find them happy to tell you about guard duty, living conditions, armaments, security, food and a soldier's life in general.

Theme Centres and Exhibits

These modern areas offer a variety of activities relating to specific aspects of the Louisbourg story. At the De la Plagne House, watch a film about Louisbourg as the capital of Île Royale. Guided tours start here. At the Ordonnateur's Residence, learn about Louisbourg, the seaport and see paintings by Lewis Parker that portray the Louisbourg of 1744. Watch Compagnies Franches de la Marine, a 15-minute video about a Louisbourg soldier's life, in DuHaget House. At the De la Perelle House, dress up in 18th and 20th century costume and have your picture taken at our costume photo studio.Children (ages 4-10) will enjoy an entertaining and educational experience at the Children's Interpretive Centre located in the Rodrigue House during July and August.At Carrerot House, discover period building techniques. Visit the Museum and see a scale model of the Fortress and some of the Site's earliest artifacts.

Hours and Seasons

The reconstructed fortress is open year round. (Important: You must pass through the Visitor Centre in order to gain access to the fortress.)

Visitor Centre hours:

• May 1 to June 30	9:30 am to 5 pm.
  July 1 to August 31	9 am to 7 pm
  September 1 to October 31	9:30 am to 5 pm
  November 1 to April 30	Closed. No fees charged to visit the fortress during this period. Visits by pre-arranged bookings only. Mailing address: Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site Box 160 Louisbourg, Nova Scotia Canada B0A 1M0 Telephone: (902) 733-2280 Fax: (902) 733-2362 TDD: (902) 733-3607 Email: atlantic_parksinfo@pch.gc.ca

ENTRY FEE

Daily (June to September)

	Adult	$11.00
	Senior (65 years and over)	$8.25
	Youth (6 to 16 years)	$5.50
	Child (under 6 years)	Free
	Family	$27.50
	Non-profit, or educational group, per person	$3.75
	Bus Group, per person	$8.00

Daily (May and October)

	Adult	$4.50
	Senior (65 years and over)	$3.50
	Youth (6 to 16 years)	$2.25
	Child (under 6 years)	Free
	Family	$11.25
	Non-profit, or educational group, per person	$2.25
	Bus Group, per person	$3.25

How to Get Here

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 hours.

View our Links pages and our Hero of Louisbourg page for more historical information about the Fortress and the history surrounding the battles for the Fortress. Better yet come visit Louisbourg and the Fortress and see a living 18^th century town.