The Fortress at Louisbourg

Today we are going to the Fortress at Louisbourg. This a government developed extensive recreation of a 16th centuty fortress for which the French and the English continually battled. There are about 30 buildings you can enter and each is staffed with period dressed docents who are incredibly well informed and incredibly into their character roles.

We are greeted, in French for they "now" have control of the fortress, by a solder who demands to know our business and where we are from. We tell him we are from the "new colonies" and mean no harm. He warns us that there are "new colony" prisoners here and if we are caught trying to pass information to them, we will not be treated well. He then says he hasn't seen a woman in a long time and gives a big hug!

The buildings each depict the various lifestyles and classes required to make the fortress viable....from the grand to the most common. It is very interesting and realistic...not Disneyesque or Williamsburgy.

There are two choices for luncheon and each is a representation of the food and service of the time. The "upper class" restaurant is serving a four course meal with china and crystal. While this looks very nice, we opt for something a little more experimental...the working class tavern where the only utensil you will receive is a spoon and all food is served on pewter-like service. The meal is hearty, but quite good. I have beef stew and Rick has cod. Each is accompanied by many carrots and potatoes.

Tonight we are going to the Louisbourg Theatre to see "The Spirit of the Island," a musical interpretation of the many cultures of Cape Breton Island. We are still pretty full from lunch, so set aside the planned dinner and heat a couple of pieces of leftover Thai pizza.

The theatre, itself, is what is of particular interest. In the early '90's Disney Studios built it to replicate the Old Globe for a movie they were shooting in Louisbourg. They donated it to the town, and for some reason it was then moved three kilometers to its present location in the center of the village.

It does look like the Old Globe inside. The Celtic music is lively and the voices pure. If they had dropped two absolutely ridiculous comedy sketches, they would be better off. Extra treat, at intermission they serve tea and oat cakes. I'd never had them before...kind of a short bread cookie with a little texture...delicious! Tickets are only $16 per and it is a very enjoyable evening.