Louisbourg

Louisbourg is a village of 1,000 people (2011) on the south-east coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia.

Louisbourg's harbour had been used by European mariners since at least the 1590s (as English Port, Havre à l'Anglois); the Fortress of Louisbourg was built by France in 1713, captured by England in 1758 and demolished in 1760. A small fishing village across the harbour from the abandoned fortress accommodated Loyalist settlers in the 1780s. In 1894, the Sydney and Louisburg Railway brought winter coal exports to Louisbourg Harbour's ice-free port. The Town of Louisbourg was incorporated in 1901 and merged into a single tier regional municipality in 1995; the efforts to restore the historic fortress as a pioneer village museum date to the 1960s.

• Fortress of Louisbourg, 259 Park Service Rd, +1 902 733-2280. 1 May-30 Jun: 9:30AM-5PM; 1 Jul-31 Aug: 9AM-5PM; 1 Sep-15 Oct: 9:30AM-5PM; closed 1 Nov-3 Apr. Louisbourg. This is a reconstruction of the 18th-century fortified French town whose presence plagued the British colonies of New England. Its busy harbour was once one of France's most signifiant economic and military assets in North America. If you enjoy the colonial restoration at Williamsburg in the United States, don't miss Louisbourg.
• Louisbourg Playhouse, 11 Aberdeen St (Aberdeen & Commercial St, +1 902 733-2996. Local entertainment venue with nightly shows (theatre, music, comedy) throughout the summer.
• S&L Railway Museum, Louisburg Station, 7330 Main St (Route 22, +1 902 733-2720. Mid-May to mid-Oct: daily 9AM-5PM; July and August: daily 8AM-8PM. Small museum includes an 1895 Sydney & Louisbourg Railway station and engine house, visitor information, quilt displays, vintage passenger and freight cars. Coal used to be hauled here by rail, then transferred to ships. By donation.
• Louisbourg Lighthouse, 555 Havenside Road. The first lighthouse in Canada was built here in 1734. This is the fourth one. There is a trail for walking along the picturesque, rocky coastline. Dress for wind.

Fortress of Louisbourg, 259 Park Service Rd, +1 902 733-2280. 1 May-30 Jun: 9:30AM-5PM; 1 Jul-31 Aug: 9AM-5PM; 1 Sep-15 Oct: 9:30AM-5PM; closed 1 Nov-3 Apr. Louisbourg. This is a reconstruction of the 18th-century fortified French town whose presence plagued the British colonies of [[New England]]. Its busy harbour was once one of France's most signifiant economic and military assets in North America. If you enjoy the colonial restoration at [[Williamsburg]] in the United States, don't miss Louisbourg.

Louisbourg Playhouse, 11 Aberdeen St (Aberdeen & Commercial St, +1 902 733-2996. Local entertainment venue with nightly shows (theatre, music, comedy) throughout the summer.

S&L Railway Museum, Louisburg Station, 7330 Main St (Route 22, +1 902 733-2720. Mid-May to mid-Oct: daily 9AM-5PM; July and August: daily 8AM-8PM. Small museum includes an 1895 Sydney & Louisbourg Railway station and engine house, visitor information, quilt displays, vintage passenger and freight cars. Coal used to be hauled here by rail, then transferred to ships. By donation.

Louisbourg Lighthouse, 555 Havenside Road. The first lighthouse in Canada was built here in 1734. This is the fourth one. There is a trail for walking along the picturesque, rocky coastline. Dress for wind.

• Louisbourg Boardwalk Park, 30 Harbourfront Cres, near the Louisbourg Harbur. Great view of the harbour, panels about the history of Louisbourg.
• Kennington Cove Beach. Clean, sandy beach. Not crowded. Be careful of currents.

Louisbourg Boardwalk Park, 30 Harbourfront Cres, near the Louisbourg Harbur. Great view of the harbour, panels about the history of Louisbourg.

Kennington Cove Beach. Clean, sandy beach. Not crowded. Be careful of currents.

• Lobster Kettle Restaurant, 41 Strathcona St, +1 902 733-2723. Daily 11:30AM-8PM. Serves lobster, crab and all things seafood (and a few non-fish items too). Mains $8-20.
• Beggar's Banquet, 15 Commercial Street Extension, Point of View Suites. From 6PM. Lobster, snow crab, halibut, roasted chicken. 18th-century theme. Reservations required by 5PM.
• Foggy Hermit Cafe, 7551 Main St, +1 902 733-2325. Daily 7:30AM-8PM. Fish and chips, ham or turkey dinners.

Lobster Kettle Restaurant, 41 Strathcona St, +1 902 733-2723. Daily 11:30AM-8PM. Serves lobster, crab and all things seafood (and a few non-fish items too). Mains $8-20.

Beggar's Banquet, 15 Commercial Street Extension, Point of View Suites. From 6PM. Lobster, snow crab, halibut, roasted chicken. 18th-century theme. Reservations required by 5PM.

Foggy Hermit Cafe, 7551 Main St, +1 902 733-2325. Daily 7:30AM-8PM. Fish and chips, ham or turkey dinners.