Today is the first day with clouds (but it clears later)! Our weather has been perfect and even today, it’s not raining. With the cooler weather, everyone is bundling up. Lots of history in Louisbourg located at the most eastern side of Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island.

From Wikipedia: ”The Louisbourg harbour had been used by European mariners since at least the 1590s, when it was known as English Port and Havre à l’Anglois, the French settlement that dated from 1713. The French military founded the Fortress of Louisbourg in 1713 and its fortified seaport on the southwest part of the harbour, naming it in honour of Louis XIV.^[1] They did so by transplanting settlers there from the evacuated Terre-Neuve colony. The fortress was designed as a “major statement” on French commercial and military power in the ongoing rush to colonize North America. “ A( Fortress is a city with civilians and miliatry, a Fort is only a military operation.)

Our tour takes us to visit the Fortress of Louisbourg – “The Fortress of Louisbourg (French: Forteresse de Louisbourg) is a tourist attraction as a National Historic Site and the location of a one-quarter partial reconstruction of an 18th-century Frenchfortress at Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Its two sieges, especially that of 1758, were turning points in the Anglo-French struggle for what today is Canada.”

Since the fortress is a reconstruction from the original drawings and plans, it is quite impressive what portion has been rebuilt. 750 people lived here at one time. The houses, the fort, the stores, are quite interesting to explore. Period dressed volunteers walk the grounds as well. It is well done and worth a visit.

After visiting the fortress, our tour bus takes us to the famous lighthouse still working today. The second oldest location in North American with Boston having the first. This lighthouse has been rebuilt four times. This version was built in 1923 with recent renovations completed in 2024 as part of the centennial celebration. It sits on the north side of Cape Breton Island and is relied on by all ships sailing to Louisbourg harbor. The shoreline is quite rocky.

As the bus winds its way up to the lighthouse, we are told about the trees that are either dead or leaning over along the hillside. In 2022, Hurricane Fiona made a direct hit on this town and coast. It killed the trees, knocked many down, flooded the streets, and damaged many buildings. It was a rare occurrence and definitely made the residents appreciate what the US States that are hit by hurricanes have to deal with, especially the loss of power.

After the tour, we have some time before our hike on the Lighthouse Trail. A walk on the Main Street of Louisbourg on a Sunday is very quiet. The tour guide told us about a restaurant in town – Spoondrift Cafe. What a cute little cafe and friendly service! And the food was the best – seafood chowder (with lots of seafood) and a chocolate chip cheesecake. Yum!

There are only 800 people living in this town with most of them being involved in the lobstering business. A lobster license costs $1M to purchase and there are 40 in this town alone. Gives one an idea of how lucrative it can be. There are no schools anymore so their children go to school in Sydney about a 45 minute drive. They are proud of their high school graduates so they have banners on the streetlights in town with their names and pictures😍. Now that is a proud small town!

In the afternoon, a walk on a trail that runs along the coast near the Lighthouse…thus, the name Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail. Cape Breton Island is known for many hiking trails. This is the best the cruise can do for us close in to Louisbourg. A tour guide talks about the history and the town. Wendy (our tour guide) lives in Sydney, a 45 minute drive from Louisbourg and a much more populated area. She grew up in New Brunswick Province ….which makes me think, if you love remote, you just love remote! I enjoy it too (especially now that the sun is out!) and the beauty of the shoreline is so amazing….reminds me of Maine, much easier hiking! My sister Judy is enjoying it too!

Nothing like the roar of the ocean against rocks! Now back on the ship for the sail away, dinner, and relaxing after a delightful day exploring Louisbourg’s finest.😎 Tomorrow, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.