Overview
Set Your Personal Time Machine to 1744!
Enhance your sense that ‘the past is present’ in the many different opportunities to connect with the Fortress of Louisbourg. Imagine the nerve-wracking sounds of the 18th-century fortified town under siege. See a child in period clothing and imagine how it would feel to be a child, or a parent, in the unforgiving circumstances of the time. Be captured by the style of the buildings or the French social customs and stories of the 18th century It has been proven time and again that, if you embrace the experience, you will indeed be moved.
Scan the walls and streets and enjoy a fascinating glimpse of a ghostly presence. Feel those who stood on those same streets three centuries past. Be captivated by colourfully costumed animators and the most friendly and knowledgeable guides who invite you to reach that point where you realize what a special and unique a place the Fortress of Louisbourg truly is.
French soldiers march down dirt streets and ladies dance in formal parlours. Cannon fire shakes the ground as harpsichord tunes mingle with baking bread aromas drifting from the stone bakery – step through Louisbourg’s fortress walls and time-warp back to the 1700s. Chat with fishermen, sailors and servants. Sip rum and watch lace-making as children play 300-year-old games and stew simmers on an open-hearth fire. It’s so real, it seems surreal.
The Peak Season
The peak season (July 1 to September 13, 2024) brings a different kind of magic on site as costumed animators add life to the streets. Louisbourg’s inhabitants can be found working the forge, tending the gardens and running the kitchens. Children are busy at play while the guard at the gate challenges those who wish to enter the town. Each hour offers something unique.
The Shoulder Season
The shoulder season (June 1 to June 30 & Sept 14 to Oct 14, 2024) is your opportunity to enjoy, at low price, an inspiring setting as you stand on our history-laden grounds. Enhance your visit with special programs and guided tours. Several buildings with exhibits are open for you to discover.
