Some people don’t like living history activities like Williamsburg, Renaissance faires, or Civil War reenactments, which I don’t altogether understand. What’s not to love about the theatrics of travelling back in time to meet knights, bar wenches, pilgrims, revolutionary rebels, blacksmiths, or apothecaries?
The U.S. doesn’t corner the market on such things. Nova Scotia has Louisbourg.
Originally the home to Mi’kmaq peoples, France built the Fortress of Louisbourg in 1713 to fortify this critical seaport that supported its maritime empire. In 1745 and again in 1758, the British seized it. Its fortifications were demolished in 1760 by British forces, but being such an important historical site, the Canadian government has spent millions rebuilding the area to its original specifications. In fact, it’s the largest historical reconstruction in North America!
We immersed ourselves in 18th century colonial France complete with costumed actors portraying soldiers and townspeople known to live within the walls of Louisbourg. We grabbed some fresh baked bread before touring the homes, merchants, and military grounds that are filled with artifacts from the area and wonderful exhibits about exhibits and rocky coastal shores offer a fun historical experience. Muskets get fired regularly and misbehaving townspeople are booed by the other actors and visitors as they’re paraded through the streets to the stockade. It’s wonderfully melodramatic!
From the Fortress, on a clear day it’s possible to see the Louisbroug Lighthouse. To drive from the Fortress to it, you’ll pass through the town. We stayed at an RV park in town, enjoyed dinner at the Spoondrift Cafe and Gift Shop, and walked along the waterfront.
The next morning, Doug took a bike ride around town. He’d stopped to take a photo of a dock house when a local asked, “Can I help you?” Doug was worried that maybe he looked suspicious so he explained that he just liked the view. That’s when we realized how friendly the Canadians are. The man said the dock house was his and took Doug through it so he could get an even better picture looking back to the town! He also told Doug that if he’d visited earlier in the season, he would have given him some fresh crab! We don’t get that kind of friendly in the Bay Area!
View from the dock house!
The next morning we drove to the Louisbourg Lighthouse.
Being such a short drive from the Sydney ferry, a trip to the Fortress at Louisbourg and the Lighthouse can be a fun stop for the young and the young at heart!
Wear comfortable shoes to navigate 18th century terrains and a layer since both sites are built on the rocky shores that overlook the North Atlantic Ocean.
