Louisbourg

Louisbourg is a town and historic site on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. It sits on a sheltered harbour on the Atlantic coast and is best known for the Fortress of Louisbourg, a major 18th-century fortification and a prominent example of French colonial military architecture in North America.

Founded by New France in the early 18th century, Louisbourg grew around Fort Louisbourg, established to defend French interests on the Atlantic coast and to control access to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The fortress became one of the most formidable European-style fortifications in North America and functioned as the capital of Île-Royale (Isle of Orleans) for a period.

Louisbourg's history is marked by repeated conflict between France and Britain. In 1745 during the War of the Austrian Succession, British and colonial forces captured the fortress. It was returned to France in 1748 under the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, but in 1758 it fell to British forces again during the Seven Years' War, and the fort was largely destroyed to prevent its use.

Today, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site preserves the remnants of the 18th-century fortress and town. Operated by Parks Canada, it offers reconstructed buildings, period trades, and living-history programs that present colonial life to visitors. The surrounding area remains a small coastal community whose economy centers on heritage tourism, fishing, and related services.