Louisbourg Old Town Trail
Region: Louisbourg Area
Community: Louisbourg
Enjoy impressive views of the reconstructed Fortress and the Louisbourg Lighthouse as you follow the story of Old Town on this 2.25 kilo...
Due to COVID-19, the visitor experience at Parks Canada-administered places may be different than it has been in the past.
Please visit pc.gc.ca/ns and follow Parks Canadas social media channels for information and updates on the status of all Parks Canada-administered places.
See what awaits you in the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site! English video | French video
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Lieu historique national de la Forteresse-de Louisbourg
Winter / Hiver
Wintertime at the Fortress
Located just 35 minutes from Sydney, the Fortress offers history, outdoor activities, and a place to connect. Throughout the winter, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and its nearby trails are accessible for snowshoeing or an energizing winter walk. Discover the story of the community of Louisbourg on the family-friendly Old Town Trail, and explore the picturesque streets of the reconstruction and enjoy 18th century-style French architecture, framed with snowfall. Enhance your visit with fun facts about the 18th century and the people who used to call Louisbourg home by using the Parks Canada Guided Tours app.
Take a break from the cold, and discover a part of the rich Mikmaw heritage of Unamaki (Cape Breton Island) in the Mikmaw Interpretive Centre. Learn about Mikmaw history through exhibits featuring stories, images and artifacts.
When youre ready to venture outdoors again, why not play in the snow in the Kings Garden? The view of the Kings Bastion in the background makes this one of the most-picture perfect spots on the site.
Be prepared
Remember to bring a thermos of hot chocolate, tea or coffee to keep out the chill, as our food services are closed in the winter. Did you know these were all popular drinks in the 18th century as well?
The site is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm, except statutory holidays. While here, be sure to purchase your Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site seasonal pass so that you can come back when the sun does! Check our social media or give us a call at 902-733-3552 to stay up to date on special activities and events.
2022 Low season fees:
Adult day pass: $8.00
Senior day pass: $6.50
Youth 17 and under: Free
Seasonal pass: $37.50
Contact Information
Web: parks.canada.ca/louisbourg parcs.canada.ca/louisbourg
Facebook: FortressOfLouisbourgNHS forteressedelouisbourg
Twitter: ParksCanada_NS ParcsCanada_NE
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 902-733-3552
Located just 35 minutes from Sydney, the Fortress offers history, outdoor activities, and a place to connect.
2022 Peak season fees
Adult day pass: $18.75
Senior day pass: $16.00
Youth 17 and under: FREE
2022 Low season fees
Adult day pass: $8.00
Senior day pass: $6.50
Youth 17 and under: Free
2022 Seasonal pass
Seasonal adult pass: $37.50
Seasonal senior pass: $32.00
A mighty adventure is waiting for you!
Surrounded by Cape Bretons rocky shoreline, the Fortress of Louisbourg brings you back to French colonial life between 1713 and 1758. First the home of Lnu, also known as the Mikmaq, the 18th century brought French, Basque, German, English, Irish, Scottish, and African people to its shores. Immerse yourself in this diverse history as you explore a beautiful coastal landscape. Take in the looming fortifications, kitchen gardens, and elegant houses of the reconstruction, then wander original 18th century ruins for a full experience of the past come to life.
Costumed animators, fascinating exhibits, breathtaking scenery, and coastal trails offer unforgettable experiences for all travellers. Discover the many cultures that helped shape Canada and continue to thrive on Cape Breton-Unama’ki, through music, dance, language, craft and culinary traditions. Connect with a land that is filled with memory and share in fun experiences that will last a lifetime.
The Fortress of Louisbourg is the largest historical reconstruction in North America. For the best experience, we recommend you plan a minimum of four hours for your visit. With so much to explore, you may just wish to come back the next day!
Open all year long: an adventure for every season!
Peak season (July to mid-September) offers total immersion in the 18th century world. Soldiers march to fife and drum, townspeople share their stories, and children play games on the waterfront. Fresh vegetables are pulled from the gardens, and the scent of baking bread hangs in the air. Every hour offers something unique and real.
Shoulder seasons (May to June and September to October) offer time to connect with the unique history of the site. Visit authentically recreated homes and fascinating exhibits displaying artifacts from Louisbourgs past. Imagine yourself a resident of the 18th century town as you walk and reflect through the quiet streets.
Low season (November to May) is the perfect time to wander these history-laden grounds, as salt spray and the sound of crashing waves remind you that you are on the doorstep of the Atlantic Ocean.
To enrich your visit or discover the Fortress from the comfort of your own home, follow the virtual tour on our website.
Prepare for 18th century conditions in all seasons. We recommend you dress in layers due to the coastal climate and wear comfortable walking shoes. This expansive site includes different types of terrain, from loose gravel and cobblestone to grassy green spaces, and some short inclines. Some of the reconstructed buildings, exhibits, and restaurants are accessible through gravel ramps. 18th century-style construction has made for narrow entryways and turning radiuses within the buildings. Expect many sensory experiences at the site, from the sounds of farm animals and historic weapons, to the smell of open-hearth fires and salty ocean air. For more information to help you plan your visit, please contact us: [email protected]
Family Fun
What was it like to be a kid 300 years ago? Get ready for fun and adventure as you travel through time and experience the Fortress of Louisbourg as a family. Sign up for the Xplorers program or Club Parka and enjoy a variety of activities for youth of all ages.
Listen to Lnu songs and stories at the Mikmaw Interpretive Centre, watch a lace-making demonstration, or enjoy a family picnic in the Kings Garden. With a whole 18th century world to explore and many spots to stop and play, your day will be packed with memories.
Follow your nose to the bakery, and pick up a loaf of soldiers bread. This hearty and healthy bread is baked fresh daily in traditional stone ovens, following an 18th century recipe. Savour the signature flavour, but dont leave it sitting too long or youll have a cannon ball instead!
Kids can truly step into the past with the interactive Rookie Tour, available in July and August. Get up close and personal with some of the towns most important residents the heritage animals! Say hello to the chickens and goats, then learn from an expert gardener how to feed the sheep. Use your imagination to explore the high seas searching for codfish, then chat with a solider about their role in Louisbourg life. Recommended for children aged 5 to 10. Additional fees apply.
Teens can test their 21st-century gaming skills in an 18th-century world when then try out The Messenger: Virtual Reality Experience. Navigate Louisbourg Harbour to get an important message to the Governor before the fortress gates close at dusk, but be on the lookout for English spies and other obstacles! Recommended for ages 13 and up. Additional fees apply.
Travelling with a stroller? On the wide streets of the Fortress youll encounter loose gravel and cobblestone, and keep in mind that some 18th century-style buildings have narrow openings and stone steps to navigate.
Outdoor Experiences
Nature enthusiasts will feel right at home in Louisbourg.
Promenade through the upper class gardens which mimic the gardens of Versailles in France. As you walk, keep an eye out for barn swallows, an endangered species of bird that nests in the eaves of reconstructed buildings.
Explore one of our five walking trails to catch a glimpse of ruins, a lighthouse, and rugged coastlines. These trails are family friendly and offer peaceful moments to connect with nature and each other.
Kennellys Day Use Area is a hidden gem, near the Louisbourg Lighthouse trailhead, and the perfect lookout spot for birders. Bring your binoculars for a chance to spot harlequin ducks, bald eagles, black scoter, and common eider.
Splash in the waves at Kennington Cove and Ansons Cove beaches (unsupervised), just six kilometers past the reconstructed Fortress. Relax on the sandy shoreline or dip your toes in the wild Atlantic Ocean.
Did you know?
You and your dog
Travelling with a beloved pet? Dogs and other pets are not permitted within the reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg, so be sure to make arrangements for your pet prior to your visit. Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles, particularly during the hot summer months.
Dogs on leash are permitted on the Royal Battery Trail, Old Town Trail, the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail, and at Kennington Cove Beach. Thank you for cleaning up after your pet. Pick up droppings and place them in appropriate refuse containers.
If you are travelling with a service animal, please contact us for more information: [email protected]
Photography
The unique French architecture and windswept coastal scenery at the Fortress of Louisbourg are a photographers dream! But when youre planning those picture-perfect moments, be sure to leave your drone at home. Recreational drones are prohibited in places administered by Parks Canada due to the risks they can pose to visitors and wildlife. Flying a drone without park or site approval may result in law enforcement action and a fine of up to $25000.
Louisbourg Attractions and Accommodations
Today, the modern town of Louisbourg welcomes travellers from around the world with an amazing fortress, spectacular walking trails, fishing wharves along the winding Havenside Road, exceptional music and theatre at the intimate Louisbourg Playhouse, and fresh seafood to savour. Absorb the beauty of the surroundings, have a picnic at Lighthouse Point (site of the first lighthouse in Canada, 1734), stroll along the beaches at Kennington Cove, and dont miss the Sydney & Louisburg Railway Museum.
Stay in one of a number of friendly local accommodations, ranging from inns, suites, and bed and breakfasts to campgrounds and cabins.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
Get ready for exciting new experiences with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass 450 000 km2 of memories await! Get the pass that provides access to all Parks Canada-administered sites for 12 full months from date of purchase.
Get curious about natural and cultural treasures in Canada, hear stories from Indigenous cultures, or explore hidden gems. Do it all with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
Call 902-733-3552 to order your pass today! Business hours are 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays. To purchase online visit: https://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/en/decouverte-discovery
2022 Fees
Family/Group (up to 7 people in a vehicle) $145.25
Adult (18-64) $72.25
Senior (65+) $61.75
Youth (17 and under)
Major credit cards are accepted, and passes will be mailed out to the recipient. Passes are non-transferrable and cover admission fees at Parks Canada administered places only. Additional fees for programs and experiences may apply. When planning their 2022 vacation, visitors should be mindful of COVID-19 measures that may be in place throughout the year.
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