Perched on the southeast coast of Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island is the picturesque town of Louisbourg. It is where you can experience what life was like inside an 18th-century fortress, hike through forests and dive down to explore shipwrecks.
Louisbourg dates back to the late 16th century, when British settlers established a fishing community here. The town takes its name from Louis XIV of France, who commissioned its fortress in 1713.
Louisbourg’s major attraction is the Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site on the south side of Louisbourg Harbour. This is a partial reconstruction of the fortified town that once stood on this spot. Visit restored buildings, watch costumed actors reenact traditional activities, learn about Louisbourg’s earliest settlers and sample customary food of the time.
The town's center stretches along the northern shores of Louisbourg Harbour. Along Main Street you will find shops, cafés, restaurants and guesthouses set inside colorful clapboard buildings. Discover the town’s coal hauling, railroad and marine history at the Sydney and Louisbourg Railway Museum. Enjoy independent theatrical productions at Louisbourg Playhouse, a mock 17th-century theater.
Stroll to the harbor waterfront to see the town’s time-honored fishing heritage. Spot multicolored boats at the fisherman’s wharf and see local fishermen bring in the day’s catch. Louisbourg celebrates its fishing industry at August’s Louisbourg Crabfest, an annual festival of live music and delicious seafood.
Well-maintained walking trails and spectacular scenery make Louisbourg a good destination for being outdoors. Follow the Lighthouse Trail across a forest-clad headland to the Louisbourg Lighthouse. A 20-minute drive from the town center is Kennington Cove and Anson’s Cove, two sandy beaches with more coastal walks and picnic areas. Take a refreshing swim on a warm day and join a scuba diving trip to explore the shipwrecks around Louisbourg Harbour.
Louisbourg is about a 6-hour drive east from Halifax. Get here via rented car or fly to Sydney Airport, situated 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the town center. Louisbourg is bitterly cold in winter and mild in summer, yet its attractions and stunning landscapes captivate whatever the season.
