THE
RECONSTRUCTED FORTRESS
Each
summer the Fortress springs to life. Dozens of costumed animators become the
town's residents of the summer of 1744. Period homes, exhibits and theme centres
line the central streets of Rue Toulouse and Rue Royale, as well as along the
busy waterfront (quay).
Men,
women and children enact the full range of society from the leisurely activities
of the rich to the hard physical labour of the poor. You'll see engineers,
musicians, soldiers, merchants, street vendors, bakers, servants and fishermen.
The
"residents" will surprise and delight you with stories, dances, music,
nailmaking, cooking, sewing, gardening and animal care.
At
the elegant home of Étienne Verrier, the King's engineer, meet Claude Verrier.
Find out about the layout of the town, its fortifications and the engineer's
activities at the time of the siege.
At
the Ordonnateur's Residence, chat with the elite of Louisbourg to get a different
view of colonial life.
Experience
the family life of a military officer of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine.
Visit the home of Captain and Madame DeGannes. Discover some tricks of
open-hearth cooking and the skill of lace making.
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, the soldiers’ Barracks rooms
and the refurnished governors residence.
See
the Two Decades exhibit on the reconstruction of Louisbourg during the 1960s and
1970s.
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.
These
modern areas offer a variety of activities relating to specific aspects of the
Louisbourg story.
At
the Ordonnateur's Residence, learn about Louisbourg, the seaport, view original objects from 18th century Louisbourg
and see paintings that portray the Louisbourg during the summer of 1744.
Watch
Compagnies Franches de la Marine, a 15-minute video about a Louisbourg soldier's
life, in DuHaget House.
See
an exhibit about the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame, Louisbourg’s
teachers of young women.
In
the de la Plagne house there is an exhibit about the Mi’kmaw community through
history to the present day.
In
the 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.
Costumed
staff in three period restaurants prepare and serve delicious food and beverages
based on 18th-century tradition and recipes. The restaurants observe the church
calendar. So don't plan on eating meat dishes on days of abstinence (Fridays and
Saturdays)!
At
the Hôtel de la Marine and the Grandchamps enjoy a full meal or a light lunch.
Here the townspeople and off-duty soldiers would have eaten, drank, gambled and
gossiped. Plan on sharing a knife, as you'll get only
a large spoon as your eating utensil!
Experience
fine dining and New World ambiance at L'Épée Royale. Here you can show off
your proper breeding and eat with a full set of cutlery.
Modern
snacks and beverages are available at the Destouches House.
Visit
the King's Bakery and buy a soldier's daily ration of bread!
The
restaurants and bakery are open from June 1 to September 30. Inquire about
reservations for groups during this period, for daytime or special night time
events. Call (902) 733-3230 June to September; (902) 733-3548 October to June;
FAX(902) 733-3046. These concessions, along with two gift boutiques are operated
by the Fortress Louisbourg Association.
For further information on this organization, contact
Fortress
Louisbourg Association
265 Park Service Road,
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
B1C 2L2
Call
(902) 733-2280 or Fax (902) 733-3046.
Held
each year in late August to commemorate King Louis IX (1214-1270), once patron
saint of France. Enjoy the recreation of this 18th-century celebration with
cannon salutes, musket firings, dancing, gambling, children's games, music and a
TeDeum sung in the chapel.
Be
Careful
The
Fortress of Louisbourg is a faithful reproduction of an 18th-century town. Many
areas require caution when visiting. Some cobblestone walking areas are uneven
and buildings dimly lit. Ramparts and walls are unprotected by guard rails, or
barricades. You may see both domestic and wild animals on-site; do not try to
pet or feed them.
THE
PARK ENVIRONMENT
The ruins
walk takes you through 18th century archaeological ruins of buildings
and fortifications. A self-guiding brochure and exhibit panels describe each
location. The walk begins near the Museum on the reconstruction site.
The
Mi’kmaq Trail is a short loop located opposite the visitor centre.
Interpretive panels provide information of the life, culture and historic
association of the Mi’kmaq with the French settlers. There is a spectacular
panoramic view of the fortress from the top of the trail.
Simon Point
nature trail leads through the woods to the ocean. The tail head is along the
Kennington Cove Road.
The Royal Battery interpretive walk starts just past theVisitor
Centre on route 22. Ground interpretive panels explain the role of this
fortification in the Louisbourg defensive system.
Picnic
near the site of the oldest lighthouse in Canada or at landing areas of siege
forces.
Watch
for harbour seals, pothead whales and boats.
Walk
to the ruins near the Royal Battery parking lot.
Oceanside
picnicking is available at Kennington Cove until September 30.
Picnic
tables are also available on the reconstructed site in the King's Garden.
There
are two beautiful ocean beaches offering supervised swimming (in July and
August) and non-supervised swimming
at nearby Kennington Cove and Anson's Cove, accessible until September 30.
Choose
from a number of streams, brooks and lakes. You'll find speckled trout in
accessible waters. Relax by one of three brooks: Kennington Cove, Landing Cove
or Gerratt. Or hike the Old French Road walking trail to enjoy angling at one of
the more remote lakes.
Some
fishing areas are not clearly marked, so check at the Visitor Reception Centre
for specific directions and conditions. Bring your valid national park or
provincial fishing licence with you. Neither is available for sale at the Site.
Kennington
Cove Road is great for the novice skier and offers a shelter at the halfway
point. A beautiful ocean view awaits you at the end of the trail, serviced with
pit toilets.
Intermediate
skiers will be challenged by the trail at the Old French Road. This trail runs
through mixed hardwoods and balsam fir with a few steep sections and no
facilities. Skilled skiers can continue on to either the Kennington Cove Road or
on the Old French Road, but there are no facilities. Trails are groomed on an
occasional basis only. For up-to-date information on trail conditions call (902)
733-2280.
Special
presentations and guided tours are available for school groups, bus tours and
other special interest groups. By booking in advance, presentations can be
tailored to meet specific needs. Extra charges may apply to some programmes.
Public
washrooms and telephones are available in the Visitor Reception Centre and in
select buildings at the Fortress. For details, check the site map or ask a
guide.
If
you have a disability, you can arrange for a pass at the Visitor Reception
Centre to drive your own vehicle to the Fortress. Fortress streets are
wheelchair-accessible, with assistance. For more
detailed information, ask at
the Visitor Reception Centre. Some Fortress Busses are wheelchair accessible and
wheelchair lifts are available at the Visitor Centre and the Beauséjour
House on-site. Please note that wheelchairs are not provided at the site.
Pets
are not allowed in the fortress. You may want to consider kennelling your pet
since there are no kennels nearby. Check the Yellow Pages for current listings.
Pet sitting services are available in the town of Louisbourg. Service
Dogs are permitted on the Fortress site. Dogs
are permitted in other areas of the Park if they are leashed and under control
at all times.
Inquire
at the tourism information centre located in the S&L Railway Museum for
information on tourist services and activities available in the local community.
A full range of dining, accommodations, camping,
local museums and other services is available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
