Fortress of Louisbourg, Historic fortress and national site in Cape Breton, Canada
Louisbourg is a reconstructed 18th-century fortified town on the rocky Atlantic coast of Cape Breton. More than 60 timber and stone buildings sit behind earthworks and bastions, including barracks, fishermen's cottages, a chapel, an inn and watchtowers overlooking the sea.
France began building the complex in 1719 as a military base to control the North Atlantic and fishing grounds. British forces captured it twice, in 1745 and 1758, before finally blowing up the walls in 1760.
Costumed interpreters play soldiers, merchants, fishers or bakers and speak with guests as if the 18th century never ended. The reconstructed lanes smell of wood smoke, fresh bread and fish brought in from the harbor.
The complex opens daily from late May through mid-October and usually requires a few hours to explore on foot. Fog or rain can make paths muddy, so sturdy footwear helps.
Archaeologists found more than 4 million objects in the old ditches, including buttons, pipes, nails and coins that now fill the reconstructed rooms. Some of the walls run below modern cottages on the edge of town.
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