Reviews of Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site (Costumes)

Nick P.

We spent way more time here than we thought. There are tours you can take but start times are infrequent, we didn't know about them until too late. Just walking around and talking to the costumed staff is a fun experience

Michael Vining

Amazing place for all ages. Took a gaggle of kids here ages 2, 4, 6, 7 & 8 (my kids and their cousins) plus us 4 adults and had a great time. The kids enjoyed it so much they're asking when we're coming back. I knew my kids would enjoy it but I was worried their interest would drop off shortly into the excursion, not the case at all. They loved it start to finish. Extremely cool place, the amount of work that's gone into this historically accurate recreation is bananas.

Margaux Miller

Great stop. Live interpreters dressed in traditional attire really added to it so well!

Jeremy Buchan

Great place to learn about the history of the early French and English settlements at Louisbourg

John Dibben

Lot's of great authentic and original or restored buildings. Good interaction with people playing the parts of the original residents. Great costumes and cannon firing ceremony. Great food and drink. Educational too. The whole family enjoyed it.

Adam Foley

Considering that COVID has likely wreaked havoc on all the tourist places like this, I have to say that we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. You can spend a couple days going through all the various displays and walks and really dig into the place, or you can stop and get the gist in half a day. The best part was that it wasn't just buildings and plaques, but there were actors playing roles so that when you looked in a room or went into a house in the fortress there were scenes played out and interactions with the actors. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and events were always offered in French or English. The canon firing ceremony was well done, the small band was excellent and drilled well. There are guided tours, motorized tours, or just walk and explore. Some of the gift shop stock was a bit scarce, but again this place would have been closed for most of the past year plus and had little revenue to feed into itself. All in all I think it was a great experience and hope that the visitors start coming back in droves once more. There are destination chargers for EVs, the parking lot we were in P2, I believe, had them installed but not powered, yet another tourist saw our electric car and mentioned another lot had them powered already. They can be found on plug share. Tesla plug or standard L2 SAE connector.

Emily Sutherland

The staff were all so friendly, not a single unkind person! The grounds and buildings are extremely well maintained. All around a fantastic day well spent! There are several free activities spaced throughout the day as well. We took a walking tour with Hilda first thing, and she was spectacular! Well spoken, interesting stories, knowledgeable on all aspects of the history and workings of the fort/ress. Thank you so much Hilda, and Parks Canada!

RaRa T

I can't believe we hadn't heard of this place before. We went beginning of October, a week before they were closing up for the season, so they have a little less activities going on during the shoulder season. But we were incredibly impressed and strongly encourage the detour. We loved our visit, all the 'guides' dressed in costume and interpreting various roles, always happy to answer questions and tell stories. The site is magnificent, and reflects well all the effort that was put in by the various historians, architects, builders, etc. to recreate a step back in time.

Neala Braedley

Fantastic experience! C'est formidable

Pei-chi Chang

Amazing place with lots of history. Actors make the experience even better. Could easily spend the whole morning/day here!

Troy Stoddart

The 3 hours I had alloted for the visit was too short. Even though they had a lot of exhibits closed there was a lot to take in. The staff were extremely informative. They present presented their stories like they were in that time and with enthusiasm. It didn't seem like it was just their "job". I could see me visiting again after covid, however, spend most of the day exploring. There are also trails that you can take to see old ruins, original path of the town folk. Bring comfy foot wear as there is lots of walking. Some parts require you to walk on grass. It is not a good place for heals. Also... Some of the grass is on a hill, it could be slippery slippery.

noble salvage

Have been to many many weddings. Many many different venues. Fortress Louisbourg, the welcoming, accommodating, fun, extraordinary event staff, went above and beyond what we ever expected. The atmosphere speaks for itself. The candlelit rooms. So calm and relaxing. Kyle was fantastic and very fun and helpful all the way through. We can't thank you folks enough for making all of us feel so welcome, and at home, on our special day. We will definitely be returning. Thank you all.!!

Robin Taylor

My mom, brother, his girlfriend and I went as a vacation. It was nice even with the fog. Getting to experience some parts of history were really cool! There were people dressed in period clothing and we got to learn about a bunch of different topics regarding the Louisburg area and its history. I liked getting to see a real lime kiln.

Kenneth Vander Horst

Rich in history! Figure on spending 3-6 hours here, including a meal. Be sure to watch the cannon firing.

Wen Sun

You must visit here if you come to the area, so much fun and lots of information/history. Everyone here is super friendly.

Nathan Mannett

Great experience..very informative and knowledgeable staff.

Dom San

Worth a visit. Really well maintained and currated. Don't miss the cannon fire at noon.

Charity Carr

I come for the history and stay for the bread ???? Seriously, try the bread. The kids and I love this spot. Animals, gardens, history, cannon and musket fire... oh, and bread. The staff are so awesome and friendly, which is astounding given the wool costumes! Highly recommend

Miriam Salazar

A must see. Great historical site with amazing views of the area.

R. C.

Do you like history and knowing events that helped shaped Canada? If so this is your spot. There are lots of things to see and experience. This is a reconstruction of what Fortress Louisburg was like. It is is filled with authentic recreations and animators. The animators are all amazing. These are people who are acting a role from that specific time period. They are all over the fortress and they have lots of interesting things to tell. Highly recommend going to Fortress Louisburg.

Megan L

If you are thinking about coming here, don't think, just do it. We had a great time, it was a great experience - a wonderful piece of history. You need to park at the visitors centre and after you pay you get your bracelet and get on one of their buses. The buses leave every 15 minutes so you won't be waiting long. Once you're there you're free to walk around on your own, or they also offer tours (which are extra but cheap) we chose to walk around on our own. There's so much to see there and we had a lot of fun. Expect to spend a few hours there if you want to see all it has to offer.

UKADIAN (Skaterboydave)

Just amazing, worth a visit. Full of history.

Jennifer Whitty

Beautiful place! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. My own complaint is that its not very wheelchair accessible. It would have been fantastic if they had a little walkway paved, versus trying to push my mother in her wheelchair through the gravel. Other than that, great place!

Vitaliy Mark

So much history related to this place. Hard to believe this place was restored from nothing. Learned a lot.

Emily White

The fortress of louisbourg is not the most convenient attraction on cape Brenton Island, but boy is it worth the effort! This historic landmark is not a hold over from olden times, but rather a recreation of the past in the present. When driving up to the fortress, you might be mistaken to think that the impressive buildings in front of you are relics of the past. However, this location was completely recreated over 2 decades starting in the 1960s. It's recreation supported the livelihoods of countless workers who had lost their jobs. In addition to artefacts strewn throughout the recreated buildings, the attraction uses antiques or accurate recreations along with fully costumed staff fully knowledgeable about the history about ancient Louisbourg. The staff and the atmosphere place you in an historical Era lost to time, but thanks to the efforts take this place a reality, available to all now who are willing to go out of their way to see this wonderful cite.

J C

Really cool to check out. We went off season so didn’t get to see a lot of the places inside. Love the roaming sheep and seeing the chickens. I enjoyed the map with brief descriptions for each building.

Ma Leizyl Amodia

The best! We have learned a lot of things about the history of Canada. The buildings were awesome. When you get into the barracks you will be able to see a lot of collections of things from the past. The ambiance was so nice. I would gladly recommend this place.

Shirlee Davidson

What an amazing piece of history. Definitely need a full day to view everything. We spent 3 hours and didn't see everything.

Mike Swaine

Biggest recreation in North America. A must see if in the area. Lots of history and reenactors onsite.

L PELLETIER

Beautiful site with friendly staff who does a great job of explaining each building.

Shawn Macdonald

Excellent!! Love this place, go every year. Great people!

Marian MacLennan

Awesome! Helpful and informative staff. Well organized and very reasonable prices. Dress in layers. Weather may change esp if you are there for several hours. Lots of places to sit if you bring your own snacks/lunch. We took a guided walking tour by Gilles M. It was excellent.

Ken P

This place is super cool.. we didn't take in any of the "extras". We just walked around on our own. Countless buildings to enter and period folks dressed to explain anything. We spent about 3.5 hrs there. One could double that. Park in the several options of parking areas. Walk a couple hundred meters to the building to get tickets and a bus running every 15 minutes will bring you to the Fortress. Prepare for lots of walking and stairs. You'll be spending a significant time outside so prepare for that. Cloudy, cool day would be best. 1/2 hr or so from Sydney. I need to build a few of those chairs..

Ron Lynch

First visit in 45 years, and they have expanded the restoration quite a bit. The selection of structures to display presents a wide variety of architecture and primitive tools and manufacturing processes. There are plenty of costumed villagers and soldiers who are very approachable and helpful, while remaining in character. The Kings Bastion contains photographic documentation of the area prior to restoration that magnifies your appreciation for what they've done. They've recently added a working period tavern where adult beverages are available, as well. My GPS tried to take me in the back road as it's evidently shorter, and road signs supported the turn off, but the road is ultimately closed, so stick to the pavement! LOL

Bernadette Sampson

Loved it...had a wonderful day there...staff are all very knowledgeable

Sandy Reed

Great to be back this year and find a lot more open. The interpreters are great. They love to stop and talk and share what life was like back then. They really make it fun to visit. There was a woman in a garden explaining what all the plants are used for, how they are preserved for winter etc. Every one has taken time to learn who their character is. Grandson and I had a great lunch from the Cafe and enjoyed seeing the cannon fired at noon. Thanks for another fun visit.

Judy Sullivan

Enjoyed the Fortress. The staff wear period clothing and tell little stories. It's pretty authentic. Alot of walking.

Frans Sanders

This is probably the best museum in Nova Scotia. The whole town is very well restored, citizens are very helpful and love to tell their stories. Even with the Covid measures in place it was great to visit again. Hopefully next year they bring back the option to overnight in a period tent. We did that 4 years ago and it was awesome.

Lyndsay

This was the highlight of our trip . Love all the history here. Buy a loaf of their delicious bread that they make fresh daily . Try the VR and don't miss the Canon firing . So awesome

Andrea Connell

Left the Cape Breton highlands early this am to fit the fortress of Louisbourg in before our drive home... Sadly after driving almost 2 hours it was closed. Both Facebook and Google says open ...it would be helpful if they updated their hours of operation. Hope to see it when it's open.