From rum tasting to cannon firing, The Fortress of Louisbourg has some pretty cool attractions. The fortress was originally founded in 1713 by the French and developed over decades into an epicentre for fishing and trade. In the 1760s the fortress was destroyed and this site laid untouched until archaeologists began to reconstruct the fortress back to what it was in the 18th century. Today, it stands as the largest reconstruction project in North America and is located on the beautiful coast of Nova Scotia.
Photo: Destination Canada
With more than a dozen buildings open to the public, this site is a ‘must visit’ when visiting Nova Scotia as it helps you gather a sense of the area during its prime. Explore on your own or take a guided tour to see daily demonstrations of food and culture from back in the day.
What are our favourite activities when we visit? Shooting a cannon and then drinking rum, of course. If you only visit the fortress for one day, why not spend the morning learning how to fire a cannon and then the afternoon relaxing over some traditional rum like you’re a soldier in the 18th century.
Fire a cannon!
Photo: Parks Canada
Do something you’ve never done: get trained as a cannoneer and fire a real life cannon identical to those that defended 18th century Louisbourg.
Daily
July 1 to September 5, 2016
11:00 a.m. and 2:25 p.m.
45 minutes
$55.20 per cannoneer (taxes included | entrance fees are separate)
More information: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/activ/canon-cannon.aspx
Rum tasting
Photo: Parks Canada
After working up a thirst firing cannons, head on over to the tavern to experience the taste and aroma of Fortress™ Rum. It’s a traditional rum matured in oak barrels in the Magazin du Roi at the Fortress of Louisbourg.
Daily
May 23 to June 30, 2016: 1:30 p.m. (English) / 2:30 p.m. (French)
July 1 to September 5, 2016: 2:30 p.m. (French) / 3:10 p.m. (English)
September 6 to October 10, 2016: 1:30 p.m. (English) / 2:30 p.m. (French)
35 minutes
$10.80 (taxes included | entrance fees are separate)
You must be 19 years of age or older.
More information: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/activ/rhum-rum.aspx
Spending more than one day visiting The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site? Try these other awesome activities:
Learn how to make medicine from plants
Storm the fortress by motorcycle