This afternoon we toured the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. The French came here in 1713 after ceding Newfoundland to the British. This site was situated such that it would be useful in protecting PEI and Cape Breton from invaders as this was a rich area for cod fishing on the Grand Banks. Louisburg became a hub of commerce and trading with France, Quebec, and New England. They had just finished building the last houses in 1745 when England again attacked and won the city. It was given back to the French in 1748 but the British won it back again in 1758 when they destroyed the fortress walls so it could never again be a fortified French base.
In 1961 the Canadian government began a $25 million project to rebuild the city on it original foundations. To date only 1/5th of the city has been completed. The most prominent building is the King’s Bastion Barracks, Governor’s Apartments, Military chapel and guard house surrounded by a rock and dirt wall.
Other buildings include rich man’s residence and servants homes, storehouses, barns, shops, cafe, hotel or inn, stables and theatre. The town was built right along the sea so there are several gates where wharves were located and a demi-bastion with cannons. 
Shortly after our arrival a mob had gathered to see that a young lady who had stolen some items from her boss was publicly humiliated by forcing her to stand at a post with an iron collar around her neck for two hours a day. She didn’t seem very concerned! The costumed residents explained about life in the 1700’s, made bread, forged iron, danced, sewed, made lace and worked gardens. We even experienced the shooting of a cannon and rifles.
Following our tour we enjoyed a fun evening dressed as beggars and dining on snow crab and lobster while being entertained by musicians and a lady of the evening. I even got to sing in front of the crowd! It was a very lively evening!
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