Louisbourg Reviews

10 Reasons Why You Should Move or retire To Louisbourg (only If you have an income)

2010-04-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

1: If you are lucky enough to live by the ocean you are lucky enough.
2: Cheap Houses and properties. They are half of what they are in Ontario especially if you want to downscale. Low property taxes that can be fixed for seniors.
3: Weather. The weather in Louisbourg is consistantly better then weather in Southern Ontario
It is milder and has less snow and is cooler in summer. The weather in this part of Cape Breton is completly different then the rest of Cape Breton. We have more fog but almost all major storms miss us even thunder storms are rare.
4: Fresh Air. Excellent fresh soft Water right from the Tap. Fresh seafood.
5: Terrific Infrastructure. Highspeed internet and cable right at the door. Garbarge collection, Snow ploughing clean roads and sidewalks always.
6: Many Organizations and Churches, Volunteer Work galore good community Services.
7: Major hospital 30 minutes away. Fast local Ambulance service (no traffic) Volunteer Fire Department. Airport is 30 minutes away.
8: Recreation: World Class golf course 1 kilometer down the road. Unlimited Hiking, Hunting and Fishing. Swimming on clean sandy beaches.
9: Great opportunities for Artists and Hobbyists. The tourist business is much under exploited
10: Friendly people, Everbody waves to everybody. Virtually zero crime rate.

Random Reviews

2010-03-08T04:48:00.000-08:00

This was my 3rd visit to Fortress Louisbourg over the last 15 years - each time has been outstanding. We had our 4 children (ages 19, 15, 10 and 7) with us and they all enjoyed the visit. We split into 2 groups with the teenagers going off on their own to explore. There is an excellent interpretive program for children - my younger boys loved this. Lots of dressing up and hands-on activities. The activities are varied and the costumed interpreters really well-informed and engaging. This children's program kept us occupied all day.

This is one of the best historical attractions/reconstructions I've visited anywhere in the world. Well worth the trip to Cape Breton.

We had bought a National Park pass that was valid across Canada. This paid for itself many times over during our trip to Nova Scotia as it covered our admission to Louisbourg (and other sites like the Citadel in Halifax). Worth looking into.

We arrived here about 1:00, and regretfully had to leave at 5 when it closed. We have been to a few reconstructed villages, including Williamsburg, and this is the best of them all! Be sure and take one of the free guided tours. All the staff were amazing and well educated about the site. Plan to eat lunch here too, the scent from the restaurants were luscious. We were sorry we had stopped to eat in town before coming. Be sure and bring a jacket, as the sea breezes were much cooler than in town. I only wish we had been able to stay longer. The Fortress is out of the way of the other tourist attractions on Cape Breton Island, but well worth the detour.
If you're a history buff, as is my wife, the history major, Fortress Louisbourg is a great visit. If your interest in history is not quite so rabid, it's still a great visit.

Many folks compare a visit to the fort with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. I've been to Colonial Williamsburg a bazillion times and feel that the two experiences can't be compared - they're just different. Colonial Williamsburg is really a restoration of parts of a living, breathing town, one that still is living and breathing. The colonial restoration reaches it tentacles into the rest of the town which has grown and changed with time. Many of the restored buildings have stood since colonial times - many in disrepair before John Rockefeller did his restoration thing there in the 30s (still going on). Fortress Louisbourg (at least the way I understand it) was really an uninhabitated ruin that was totally recreated by the Canadian government in the 60s. It stands today totally isolated from the rest of Louisbourg. Again - I don't find one "better" than the other - just different. Both fantastically interesting places.

I think one thing that would really add to the experience is the reconstruction of a wharf or two, along with mooring a restored 18th century brig alongside one of the wharfs . The fortress's reason for existence was, after all, it's purpose to protect the port. The port part of the history is really somewhat ignored. Now - if the Canadian government could just come up with the $millions that would cost.

I've read on many trip advisor forums that one really needs a least a full day in the Fortress. We did it in half a day and found that that was plenty of time to get the flavor of place - poke through many of the buildings, watch and listen to a couple of costumed interpreter presentations, etc. The fact that our visit was in October - a slow time for the Fortress with reduced interpretation events, with concomitant reduced numbers of visitors, may have have been a factor. The place was crowded enough as it was and I am glad we did not have to face the summer crowds.

I found particularly interesting the presentation at the fisherman's house given after one gets off the bus from the visitors' center. There the interpreter explained that while the inhabitant of the hut was really quite well to do by 18th centruy colonial standards, his hut was very modest due to the fact that, in the event of an attack on the fortress, inhabitants outside the the walls would be required to torch their homes and flee to safety inside the walls of the fortress.
As I had indicated in another post, we had brought with us from Baddeck (an hour and 15 minute drive away) a delicious box lunch prepared at the High Wheeler Cafe. There is no place to eat during one's visit to the Fortress save for the two or three restored "18th century" eating establishments inside the fortress. We found the one we visited jammed - so crowded as hardly to be able to get inside place with no hope of reaching the counter. And, having eating "colonial fare" in Colonial Williamsburg, I felt we didn't miss anything. We had our box lunch outside the visitors' center - which has no food available but for a vending machine of candy and snacks - which was empty when we were there. The box lunch proved to be an excellent choice.

The visitors' center was well done with dioramas of the fortress during its various phases.
Is it worth the time and money for a visit? I'd say without question it is.

Williamsburg is a beautiful town. I love the Colonial Park, but it is very commercialized. Then there is Louisbourg. This place never had a real city grow up around it. It was abandoned after a series of attacks by the British in the 18th century. The ruins just sat there as the modern town relocated across the water. So Canada came along and rebuilt about 25% of it. I gather it looks EXACTLY as it did over 200 years ago. It's truly fascinating, a perfect recreation of a Colonial fortified city. The interpreters were fantastic, the food was authentic and delicious and it was not commercialized at all. The special programs during the day were just perfect. And it's a bargain, under $20CAD. Overall, this was the cultural highlight of our week in Nova Scotia.

I live in Louisiana and it a long trip to drive to see this fort but we loved it so much that we went back for a second time last year. This a wonderful place and the admission price was so low. We will be making another trip soon.

Louisbourg Fortress—Could This Ancient Bastion in Nova Scotia Be North America’s Most Engaging Living History Program? We Think So! | Bert Gildart: Writer and Photographer

2010-03-08T04:37:00.000-08:00

Louisbourg Fortress—Could This Ancient Bastion in Nova Scotia Be North America’s Most Engaging Living History Program? We Think So! | Bert Gildart: Writer and Photographer

Wendy and Brian's Great Eastern Adventure

2010-03-08T02:57:00.000-08:00

Wendy and Brian's Great Eastern Adventure

After good stories shared over a delicious breakfast, we headed off - our destination (as highly recommended by our breakfast partners)….Louisbourg. Stopping for gas, I asked the service station attendant about directions - in that usual East Coast fashion, he said to me “You’re not lost darlin’, you just ain’t got there yet”

Went through a Cape Breton ‘check stop’ enroute to Louisbourg. In Brian’s words - “the jolliest police officers I’ve ever encountered“. Certainly not an intimidating bunch but have no idea what they were looking for.

The Fortress of Louisbourg is a National Historic Site that we were very fortunate to have visited. It was the encouragement of our fellow B&B guests that sent us off in that direction and even though it ended up delaying our stay on Cape Breton by a day, it was well worth it. We are once again becoming aware of how quickly time is passing and realizing that we have to make choices - oh….but it is sooo hard!!

Louisbourg is a reconstruction of the French colonial fortress that existed at the location in 1744. Steeped in history, Parks Canada has done an incredible job of presenting information in a very effective manner

Re-enactment at Ft. Louisbourg

. They have reconstructed approximately 20% of the original town (and even that 20% is huge and has been the largest project attempted by Parks Canada, some 25 to 30 million dollars to date)- in some areas, visitors walk on cobblestone that was used by the original residents of Louisbourg. Throughout the whole town, tourists can interact with people dressed in period costume. We were very impressed with the level of historical knowledge these individuals had. There are multitudes of reconstructed homes and businesses in addition to the huge restoration done to the governors mansion itself - each designed following the extensive records that the French very meticulously maintained (in triplicate) of the original specs and “blueprints” . Throughout the day, were numerous demonstrations such as the firing of a cannon with all the pomp that goes with it - the drummer, the marching soldiers - all dressed in period costume, all playing their roles. There was a functioning bakery, baking the bread in the same way as in the 1700’s, The blacksmith was busy forging candle holders using 18th century technology . Spent a large part of the day here and came far from seeing it all. Certainly helped to bring a small part of the French history of this country vividly to life.
Written by: wendyandbrian

Louisbourg our favorite place on earth.

2009-12-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

Louisbourg might be our favorite place on earth.

Every so often, you come across a gem - something that you enjoy, something that you usually keep to yourself. We have found several gems in our travels across North America and Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, is certainly one.

The community of Louisbourg is located on Cape Breton Island and has a population of 1,265. It is a small community that sits beside the Fort Louisbourg National Historic Site. Louisbourg's main employer is the fishery, with tourism a close second.

There is a lot to see and do in Louisbourg, starting with the Sydney & Louisburg Railway Museum. It features artifacts and exhibits relating to the history of the S&L Railway. A short 10 minute drive will take you to Kennington Cove and its wonderful sandy beaches. Not too far from there is the Louisbourg Lighthouse, constructed in 1923-24. The lighthouse is located at the entrance of the harbor, and is perched on a volcanically-formed outcrop of rock. Nearby are the ruins of the 18th century French lighthouse and a 19th century lighthouse, offering excellent vistas along the coastline, out into the Atlantic Ocean and across the harbor to the Fortress.

The RV Park is located near the waterfront and is right next door to the Playhouse, Grubstake Restaurant, Boardwalk, craft shops and is only a five minute drive to Fort Louisbourg. Manager Mary MacMullin offers 39 fully serviced sites and 18 unserviced sites for motorhomes and trailers. The RV Park is owned and operated by the merchants of Louisbourg. Whenever we are in Louisbourg we stay at the Louisbourg Motorhome RV Park and we recommend you make reservations.

...

Take care & Happy Family Day
M.B. & Karen Wilson
Wagon Masters
rvtours@interlog.com

(Read full story in the magazine.)

Louisbourg

2009-10-15T05:31:00.000-07:00

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

"This is a beautiful island and a well-protected harbour. But the best thing about Louisbourg is the hospitality."

-- Captain Lane Briggs, Norfolk Rebel, Norfolk, Virginia

The Harbour

Louisbourg's harbour is the only naturally ice-free harbour north of Halifax. Wharves and docking are available for vessels of almost any size, from cruise ships to sail training ships to yachts.

Pilotage through the harbour is available, though not required, and a customs agent is on call. Ships chandlery, grocery stores (bonded), fuel, water, hot showers, post office, telephones, fax and laundry are not far from the wharves.

Ships sailing into Louisbourg harbour are greeted by the beam of Canada's oldest light station. Opposite the lighthouse in the southwest arm of the harbour is the august and imposing Fortress of Louisbourg, with its cannons pointed across the harbour. The town and docks lie in the most protected part of the harbour in the northeast arm.

History

Louisbourg has always depended on the sea. The earliest recorded European visit to the harbour was by the English in 1597. Recognizing the economic and military potential of Lousibourg's harbour and fishery, Louis XIV secured it for France in 1713 by constructing a well-fortified, walled city. Louisbourg, the Dunkirk of America, was the third busiest seaport on the continent during the 18th century.

Because of its strategic position, the fortress was successfully besieged by New England troops in 1745 and by British troops in 1758. But people who made their livelihoods from the sea continued to dwell in this rugged coastal area. Over the centuries local industries have included coal shipping, swordfishing, lobster, crab, and cod fishing and processing.

In the 1960s reconstruction began on the fortess ruins, and it became the largest reconstruction project in North America. Today it is the masterpiece in Parks Canada's portfolio.

The Town

The natural beauty of Cape Breton is the backdrop for this small fishing port. Not far from Louisbourg is Kennington Cove, a beautiful pristine beach. Hiking paths lead to the lighthouse and remote coastal vistas. The area is superb for biking, picniking, and swimming in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.

Within walking distance of the docks are shops, museums, pharmacy, medical clinic, motel, camp sites, and bed and breakfasts. Restaurants specialize in lobster and other fresh local catches. Whale watching, wreck diving, harbour tours, and deep sea fishing are easily arranged.

Louisbourg

Louisbourg is both an active fishing harbour and the site of an 18th century French fortress. The harbour is deep, large, and well protected. Located on the southeast coast of the island of Cape Breton, Louisbourg is surrounded by magnificent natural scenery -- rocky coasts, spruce and hardwood forests, abundant wildlife, and clean sandy beaches.

Cape Breton Island

Those who visit the island of Cape Breton never forget it. The mingling of Gaelic culture with Canada's diverse ethnicities has created an island of old world charm and simple living. Bagpiping and fiddling fill the air when local musicians gather to celebrate their heritages on the shores and in the villages of this island.

Come visit Cape Breton and discover all of its natural and cultural beauties.