Daily schedule

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site

The Fortress of Louisbourg regularly offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Take part in the daily life of the "residents" of this 18th century fortified town and plan your visit around the activities that interest you most. There is no shortage of choices!


Note:
The 2023 daily schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Peak season
(July 1 to September 15, 2023)

 

Peak season activities

July 1 to September 15, 2023

The Fortress of Louisbourg bustles with activity every day throughout the peak season.

Time Activity
10:30 am Guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg – from its past to its present on this outdoor walking tour.
45 minutes |Fees
10:50 am Fire a Musket: Have a Ball
Sign up with the Compagnies Franches de la Marine and get a soldier’s basic training (no push-ups required!)
30 minutes | Fees | Ages 16+, max 2 participants per half hour
11:00 am Life of a soldier
Listen to his story and watch a musket firing
15 minutes | FREE
11:00 am Fire a cannon: Have a blast
Become a cannoneer and fire a real cannon
45 minutes | Fees | Ages 17+ | max 1 participant per timeslot
11:15 am Children's dance
Join in the circle and enjoy 18th-century folk music
30 minutes | FREE | Available Monday to Friday from July 3 to August 25
11:45 am Cannon firing demonstration
Be amazed by the fifes, drums and cannon firing
15 minutes - FREE
1:00 pm Motorized guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg on wheels - from its past to its present
45 minutes | Fees | Limited to 7 people per tour
1:30 pm Rookie tour – children's program:
Delve into the life of an 18th century child
45 minutes |Fees | Recommended for families with children ages 5 to 10 | Maximum of 8 participants
Available daily until August 31
1:50 pm Fire a Musket: Have a Ball
Sign up with the Compagnies Franches de la Marine and get a soldier’s basic training (no push-ups required!)
30 minutes | Fees | Ages 16+, max 2 participants per half hour
1:55 pm Prisoner of the day
Play the role of the prisoner during the Public Punishment. This experience must be reserved by contacting the Fortress of Louisbourg directly (ages 16 and up). To book this tour, call (902) 919-8392 or send an email to louisbourg.info@pc.gc.ca
30 minutes | Fees | Limit of one person | Available daily until September 15
2:00 pm Life of a soldier
Listen to his story and watch a musket firing
15 minutes | FREE
2:15 pm Public Punishment
Follow the crowd to the iron collar
15 minutes | FREE| Available daily until September 15
2:30 pm Guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg – from its past to its present on this outdoor walking tour.
45 minutes |Fees
2:30 pm Mi’kmaw demonstration
Discover Mi’kmaw culture and history
15-30 minutes | FREE
3:10 pm Military Drill
Watch a French artillery demonstration with fife and drum
10 minutes | FREE
3:30 pm Motorized guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg - on wheels - from its past to its present
45 minutes | Fees | Limited to 7 people per tour
4:45 pm Secure the Fortress - Evening gun and retreat 
Finish your visit with a bang - the last blast of the day
10 minutes | FREE

The Messenger
Navigate Louisbourg Harbour like it’s 1744 in a unique virtual reality experience
15 minutes | Fees
Available daily July 1 to September 2, 2023 from 12 pm to 4:00 pm.

Shoulder season
(June 1 to June 30 and September 16 to October 9, 2023)

 

Shoulder season activities

June 1 to June 30 and September 16 to October 9, 2023

Time Activity
10:30 am Guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg – from its past to its present
45 minutes | Fees
11:30 am Time Travel
Rub shoulders with ”authentic” Louisbourg residents as you explore what life was like and taste Heritage hot chocolate.
45 minutes | Fees | max 25 participants
1:00 pm Motorized guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg on wheels - from its past to its present on this outdoor walking tour
45 minutes | Fees | Limited to 7 people per tour
1:30 pm Time Travel
Rub shoulders with ”authentic” Louisbourg residents as you explore what life was like and taste Heritage™ hot chocolate.
45 minutes | Fees | max 25 participants
2:00 pm Life of a soldier
Listen to his story and watch a musket firing
15 minutes | FREE
2:30 pm Guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg – from its past to its present on this outdoor walking tour.
45 minutes | Fees
3:30 pm Motorized guided tour:
Get the full story of Louisbourg - on wheels - from its past to its present
45 minutes | Fees | Limited to 7 people per tour

Food and beverage

For a quick bite to eat, look no further than our café: tea, coffee, cookies and more. Open May 23 to October 13, 2023 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Have a seat in our restaurant to enjoy a meal, available from June 25 to September 23, 2023 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm or take advantage of our Perfect Picnic offer to have a meal packed for you to enjoy anywhere in Louisbourg! Available June 18 to October 13, 2023 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Calling all craft beer and liquor enthusiasts! Enjoy locally-brewed beers and ciders as well as locally produced rum in the authentic atmosphere of our new Storehouse Tavern, open daily June 18 to October 13, 2023 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Don’t forget to have a taste of Louisbourg’s unique soldier’s bread, baked fresh daily at the King’s Bakery. Open June 25 to September 23, 2023 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.

For prices, and to make a reservation with the Fortress Louisbourg Association, call or email in advance:
foodservices@louisbourg.ca
902-733-3230

Additional discovery and recreational activities

Discovery

Are you looking for additional ways to indulge your curiosity about the history of the Fortress, the cultures of its residents and the natural beauty of its surroundings? Follow the links below for information on planning your own "discovery" activities:

Recreation

If recreation is more your thing, follow the links below to find out about swimming at the beautiful beaches of Kennington Cove and Anson's Cove or walking and hiking our nature trails, in particular Simon Point Trail and the Lighthouse Trail:

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