6 things to do in Louisbourg Nova Scotia: A historic getaway

Some road trip destinations are so much fun, they make it well worth driving the same road twice. Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, is just such a place. It’s located roughly 30 minutes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island’s Atlantic coast. When you explore the many great things to do in Louisbourg, you’ll be greeted by ocean breezes, unique accommodations, and some of the richest history anywhere in Nova Scotia.

Here are six sensational reasons to add Louisbourg to your itinerary on your next road trip to Cape Breton.

We visited Louisbourg as part of a media tour hosted by Tourism Nova Scotia. Have questions about planning your own visit to Louisbourg? Join our Facebook community!

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A visit to Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is one of the top things to do in Louisbourg

The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is one of Parks Canada‘s crown jewels. If you’ve never traveled to a recreated fort before, this is a great place to start! This fascinating site is built directly atop a portion of the original 18th-century fortified French town of Louisbourg. It features authentic reconstructions of a colony buzzing with the activity of everyday life.

During the summer months, you can witness the daily cannon firing, observe French military drills, visit the bakery and blacksmith, tour the heritage gardens, dance along with fiddlers playing 18th-century folk songs in the streets, and try your hand at firing a musket. You can even book in advance to take part in the cannon firing or play the role of a prisoner being dragged through town!

To appreciate how the historic site you see today came to be, explore the Ruins Walk not far from the main village. You’ll see the archaeological sites Parks Canada started with and extrapolated into the living fort that exists today.

In a way, the Fortress of Louisbourg is a historic site that itself preserves an era of Parks Canada history. This style of historic reconstruction happens less often today, but it was common in the 1950s and ’60s. The fort therefore offers an interesting look into a bygone era of Canadian heritage conservation.

Set aside a full day to explore Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site to its fullest. You can even stay for lunch. Enjoy one of the takeaway options, or sit down at Grandchamp House, an 18th-century style dining room. Costumed waitstaff serve period-correct dishes like rabbit ragu, pain perdu, barley risotto, and French onion soup.

Stay overnight at one of the fort’s unique camping options

If you’d like to check out some unique accommodations, explore staying overnight at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Once the site’s gates close to the public, you’ll have the town’s historic streets all to yourself. Tuck yourself in inside an 18th-century home, set up camp inside the guardhouse, or, if you dare, spend the night inside the prison in the King’s Bastion!

Note these accommodations are not bookable through Parks Canada’s online portal. Instead, you can make a reservation by contacting the site directly at the details provided in the link above.

Discover the site of Canada’s first lighthouse

Canada’s first lighthouse was built in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. It was constructed by the French in 1734 on the opposite side of the harbour from the original town of Louisbourg to help guide ships into port. The grounds that contain its ruins — alongside the present-day Louisbourg Lighthouse, the fourth to stand at this site — are protected as part of Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.

Stay at the beautiful North Star* hotel

Louisbourg is home to North Star Beach Suites, formerly Point of View Suites. This property was purchased and renovated by Scottish celebrity interior designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, a process documented in the TV series “Colin and Justin’s Hotel Hell,” before reopening in 2022.

Today, the town’s only seaside hotel is home to 22 beautifully designed guest suites, many of which have ocean views. North Star* also has two restaurants, a cocktail bar, and a private shingle-rock beach. It’s quickly become one of Nova Scotia’s signature overnight stays.

You could even meet Colin and Justin themselves

It’s never a guarantee you’ll run into celebrities when staying at properties they own. But since Colin and Justin are both very hands-on at North Star Beach Suites, your odds of meeting them in person are better than average!

During our visit to Louisbourg, both Colin and Justin were working at The Bothy, mixing drinks at the bar and chatting with guests. In fact, they’ve become such honorary Cape Bretoners that Justin hopped on stage to join the night’s musician in a rendition of Working Man, a classic by beloved Cape Breton folk singer Rita MacNeil.

Connect nearby destinations to trace the path of early French settlers

If you visit Louisbourg before or after taking the Nova Scotia-Newfoundland ferry to Argentia, you can really connect the dots on some of Canada’s earliest colonial history.

In Placentia, Newfoundland, just a few minutes from the Argentia ferry terminal, visit Castle Hill National Historic Site. There, you’ll learn the surrounding town, formerly called Plaisance, was the capital of France’s territories in the new world. This lasted until 1713, when the French were forced by the British to abandon Placentia. They resettled on Cape Breton Island and established the Fortress of Louisbourg that same year.

When you take the ferry from Argentia to North Sydney and then head to Louisbourg, you’re following a very similar path to those original French settlers. It goes a long way toward bringing this fascinating period of history into focus!

Louisbourg is an easy drive from the Cabot Trail and Newfoundland ferry

There’s only one way in and out of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, and that’s by following Nova Scotia Trunk 22 from Sydney. Louisbourg is a half-hour drive from Sydney and 45 minutes from the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal in North Sydney. To reach Baddeck and the start of Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail, the drive takes roughly an hour and 15 minutes. This makes Louisbourg an easy day trip or overnight stay as part of your plans in Cape Breton.

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