Nova Scotia - Louisbourg

Nova Scotia - part 9

(sightseeing)

July 31, 2018 - August 2, 2018

Our purpose in visiting Louisbourg was to see the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.  Built in 1713 by the French it was fought over by the French and British for years until it was demolished in the 1760's by the British.  Some of the stone from it's walls was used in construction in Sydney, Halifax and even Boston.  As you look at all these pictures keep in mind that all the buildings, walls, etc. were built from the rubble left when the fortress was demolished.  Rebuilding began in 1960, about 200 years after it was demolished!  What an extraordinary feat!

Picture of the site from the visitors guide.
Even though only 20% of the original fortress has been rebuilt from rubble, it's a huge site to take in.
In it's day (1713-1760) the Fortress of Louisbourg was one North America's busiest seaports.
Point of interest: a fortress differs from a fort in that a fortress encloses a town while a fort does not.

Dauphin entrance gate.
Point of interest: Dauphin is a dynastic title given to the heir apparent to the throne of France.

Once in the gate you walk past the outer wall of Dauphin Semi-bastion.

Entryway into the Dauphin Semi-bastion.

Powder magazine and barracks inside the Dauphin Semi-bastion.

A secret passageway inside the semi-bastion leads to the exterior walls of the fortress.

Guard house at Dauphin's Gate.
The "windows" on the end and side walls are actually slits used to fire guns at the enemy. 
They can be closed up to keep the cold out.

Street scene looking toward Frederic Gate which open up on the harbor.

Looking up towards the King's Bastion on the hill.

Lartigue family home which housed Joseph and Jeanne Lartigue, their 12 children and their servants.

Looking through a gate at some of the rebuilt buildings.

Looking down on the rebuilt buildings from part way up the hill towards the Kings Bastion.

Closeup of the ice house which was used to store ice for the Governor of the fortress.
The door, which is only opened after dark, is on the north side and thus protects the ice from melting.

Mock trial of a prisoner charged with stealing a bottle of wine.
He was sentenced to clean the latrine.
All the people dressed in costumes (including the children) are paid to work here.
Some of them have worked here for over 20 years!  Many are college students who work during their summer break.

The kitchen of the engineer's residence. 
The engineer was responsible for the overall design and construction of the fortress.
This made him an important and wealthy man and his home conveyed that message.

The device attached to the end of the mantle is a spit jack.  It's used to turn meat on a spit as it roasts next to the fire.
 The speed of the spit was controlled by the windmill like devices near the center of the mantle.
A stone weight is used to drive the clock like gears via gravity.  A winding device was used to raise the stone as needed.

The other half of the engineer's kitchen.  This servant his now mending cloth items.
Earlier today she made treats of marzipan, a popular item in the 1700's.  They are the colorful items at this end of the table.

Parlor of the engineer's residence.

Engineer's office in his residence.

Kitchen of the King's Lieutenant.
This was another high position within the town and his wealth is on display.

Parlor in the King's Lieutenant's residence. 
The bed is his "traveling bed."  It is taken with him when he goes on military maneuvers.
For some reason I find that funny.
The woman is making bobbin lace with the device equipment shown below.

Garden at the King's lieutenant's residence.
The soil is so poor here it must be imported and placed in raised beds.
Note the chevron design of the vegetable rows!  How very French!

The King's Bastion Barracks.

Governor's apartments at the end of the King's Bastion Barracks.

Solders on guard duty near the King's Bastion.

Military Chapel within the King's Bastion Barracks

Governor's dining room.

Another part of the Governor's dining room.

Governor's bed chamber.
Check out that beautiful trunk!

Guest bedroom in the Governor's apartment.

Beautiful wood details on a fireplace in the Governor's apartment.

Kitchen in the Governor's apartment.

Superior Council meeting room in the Governor's apartment.

They have several restaurants on site where you eat your food from a pewter bowl with only a large spoon while sitting with other diners at a large table.  We sat with a couple from British Columbia and two couples from Quebec and had a most interesting conversation.  I had fish soup and Laura had vegetable soup.  Both were served with bread and both were delicious!

We couldn't possibly cover the entire reconstructed area much less walk around the ruins of the demolished fortress. There is so much to see here you really need a full day if you are going to try to see it all.  I think they have done an amazing job of portraying this period of time in North America.  This is a must see if you ever visit Nova Scotia.