Have you ever wondered what life was like before television and cell phones? No I don't mean back when the car was first invented or even the first outhouse graced our world. I mean way back, back in the 1700's to be exact. Think about your life as it is now, think bout your daily activities. Most likely you have owned at least one cell phone in your life, and if you are like 80% of the population (including me) you keep in contact with most old friends using Facebook. It is almost incomprehensible to imagine life without all the things we take for granted every single day, even something so simple as a toilet. Wether we can imagine this or not people have indeed done it. They lived in much simpler times then us, but were their lives really all that simple? Would you like to see for yourself how people young and old would have spent their days in the early 18th century? Wether you search out new museums to visit each year or have not stepped foot in one since your last high school field trip, the Fortress of Louisbourg is a trip you must make.

It is like a museum of no other. One step onto the courtyard and you are sent flying back into the early 18th century. Here you will notice that skyscrapers replaced themselves with a mighty fortress and the smell of pollution in the air has now become the salty smell of ocean water. Now do you really want to know what it was like to live back in this time? If your curiosity has gotten hold of you then step up to the gate, before you may enter you must first convince the guards you are friend not foe.

Once inside you may take a guided tour or wander around on your own (or like me you can do both). So much work has gone into making this the fortress and its township as accurate as possible. All the small details bring the whole experience to life. Wether you are young or young at heart, single or married with kids you will find something here for you. Each year interpreters gather in full mid 1700's costume. They know the history of the fortress forwards and backwards and play their parts brilliantly. Each of the towns residence has a job, feel free to ask what it is and what they needed to do. You may run into a fishermen who can tell you all about the abundance in cod, how the fish were caught, and he might even share is secret fishing spot. Or maybe you will run into a baker who is known for letting her secret recipe slip,you may even buy bread from them and taste the difference in how it is made for yourself.

You can learn every aspect of the settlers lives by simply walking around the town. Stop and listen to the music being played by local musician, or watch the children play games that were very common hundreds of years ago. If you get hungry stop in the onsite restaurant and have a 18th century style feast. When you have finished grab your family and gather around to see a canon be fired.

For all the guys in the family don't forget to check out the weaponry, try to lift a canon and have a soldier explain exactly how to use the musket. After you have done all this head to the fortress. Here you may see the great dining room, where the troops slept, the stables and even the kings bedroom. Take your time and check out the thousands of artifacts that have been brought back to life and put on display.

Believe it or not this isn't even close to the end, there is still so much to see and do. If you are planning on taking a holiday this summer why not head to Cape Breton and see Louisburg for yourself, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Call ahead to arrange a tour or just swing by, whatever you do make sure you have the day clear because you will not be leaving in a hurry. All pricings are very cheap and affordable for everyone so don't let money stop you, there are even hotels very close by. Running out of reasons not to go? Then start planning now, I mean when was the last time you had so much fun learning about history?


Want to learn more? Visit https://www.louisbourg.ca/fort/ for more infomation on the Louisbourgs history, the cost of admition, schedule and more.

You can also check out my article "The Rise And Fall of Ile Royale" to learn about the fortress' exciting past.

Still looking for more information? Feel free to call (902)733-2280 to directly reach the fortress, or call Louisbourgs Visitor Information Centre at (902) 733-2321