You’ve probably heard of the Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail, but the Ceilidh Trail is also amazing and worth a drive while you’re visiting the island! You’ll get to visit some of the lesser known spots on Cape Breton Island, while still experiencing the views and hospitality that the Island is famous for.

General Advice For Visiting Cape Breton

Weather wise, you’ll likely want to visit between mid May and mid October. July and August are normally the best months for warm weather and beach days. To see the leaves changing colours, you’ll want to visit around the first or second week of October.

Note that most businesses shut down around mid October, so things may be closed if you visit after Canadian Thanksgiving. Definitely check before you plan anything! 

Always watch for wildlife when you are driving and hiking, Cape Breton is home to deer, moose, bears, coyotes and more. Plan to carry a stick and/or bear spray while hiking, and be especially careful driving at night, wildlife may wander into the roads. 

Read More: Advice For Driving The Cabot Trail In The Fall

Ceilidh Trail Map

Here’s a handy map of our destinations!

Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail is a 92km long multi-use trail that you could take all the way from Port Hastings to Inverness. Of course you don’t have to do the whole thing!

You can walk, bike, run, ski, quad (4-wheel), horseback ride, snowshoe, or snowmobile your way, taking in all of the beautiful scenery along the way. It’s well marked with interpretive panels along the way. 

Stops On The Ceilidh Trail

You’ll be following Route 19 from the Canso Causeway to Inverness. It should be pretty easy to navigate but you may want to have a GPS, cell service may be spotty in some places!

Port Hastings

The first community once you cross the Canso Causeway is Port Hastings. Although there isn’t too much to do in the area, it’s a great place to start your journey and get your bearings. There is a visitor information centre, and you can visit the Strait Area Museum, which has free admission (and an ice-cream barn!). Visit the Balache Point Lighthouse, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see the Canso Causeway in action, swinging open to let boats through. 

Judique

Our next stop is home to the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre… which is likely why it’s called the Ceilidh Trail! A Ceilidh is a traditional Scottish and Irish social get together with music, dancing and yes, usually drinking. The Interpretive Centre will take you through the history of Celtic Culture in the area, and if you’re lucky there will be a Ceilidh happening!

I highly recommend staying at Archer’s Edge Luxury Camping Domes in Judique. We had such an amazing stay, and it’s very central on the Ceilidh Trail! 

Port Hood

When I was little the only reason we would go to Port Hood was for hockey tournaments… but there’s so much more than an arena (although it is the birthplace of hockey legend Al MacInnis!)

Port Hood has several amazing beaches, and the water tends to be warmer than the rest of Nova Scotia, so you can actually go swimming!

Cold or rainy day? Check out the Chestico Museum and learn all about the history of the area.

Mabou

Our next community is home to the Rankin Family who formed a family band known as The Rankins, and achieved National success. You can visit Rankin family owned Red Shoe Pub and enjoy live music 7 days a week.

I highly recommend visiting the Mabou Farmers’ Market on Sundays. I picked up this great mug from vendor Fire and Stone Coffee and I love it so much! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Glenora Falls

Just north of Mabou, Glenora Falls isn’t really a community, but you can find a pretty great waterfall if you look for it! Just a quick little stop to stretch your legs

Another 7 minute drive North and you can stop at Glenora Inn and Distillery. Guided distillery tours and tastings are available, or you could have dinner and a drink in their restaurant. Glenora makes North America’s first Single Malt Whisky (can’t call it Scotch because it’s not made in Scotland!). It’s worth a stop on your drive through!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Inverness

Welcome to Inverness (no, you haven’t traveled all the way to Scotland). If you enjoy golf, then you’ll be happy to know that Cabot Cliffs golf course is rated #1 in Canada by Score Golf Canada and Cabot Links Golf Course is rated #5! 

Inverness beach is a first wheelchair accessible beach, offering the use of Mobi-chairs and Mobi-mats to provide access to the beach and water

Hungry (or thirsty)? Check out Route 19 Brewing for a bite to eat and some local beers.

How Long To Complete The Trail?

The whole trail from Port Hastings to Inverness would only take you an hour if you drove straight through, which means you only really need 2 days to complete the whole trail while stopping! Of course more time is better, especially if you plan on golfing and taking in all the sights. 

Where To Next?

Well you can continue on and explore the Cabot Trail by heading up to Cheticamp and around through Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Read More: Long Weekend Cabot Trail Itinerary

Or head over to Sydney and explore the largest town on Cape Breton Island. We also recommend heading out to the Fortress of Louisbourg!

Cape Breton is one of the most beautiful places I’ve had the chance to explore. There’s always a hidden gem waiting to be found.

By now you’ve probably seen those white camping domes all over your Instagram, but what’s it like to actually go “glamping”? I had to find out for myself! This Fall we planned a trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and booked two nights at Archer’s Edge Luxury Camping Domes in Judique. I’ll be honest, I’m not usually into camping, but luxury camping? That I can get behind!

About The Domes

First of all, what the heck IS glamping? Well the word is a contraction of “glamorous” and “camping”. Don’t be fooled by the simple appearance of the domes. They hide a lot inside! Glamping is not exclusive to Nova Scotia – you can find glamping domes all over the world!

So what makes it luxury? You have heat/air-conditioning, running water & power.

Archer’s Edge Luxury Camping Domes are all built for couples. When you first walk into the dome you’ll see your small kitchen with a mini fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, kettle, and dishes. The queen sized bed faces toward the window part of the dome, which gives you amazing views of the water. You have a few chairs with a small table as well. Around the wall from the bed is the bathroom complete with a shower, toilet, sink and storage area.

Just so you know before you book – there is NO DOOR for the bathroom. Just make sure you’re extra comfortable with whoever you are sharing a room with.

The domes are heated / cooled by a heat pump that you can control, plus there was an extra heater in the bathroom so you can be extra cozy getting out of the shower. 

Outside there is a BBQ outside for you to use (exclusive to your dome), you also have a small deck with two chairs that face the gorgeous view.

Details

2 night booking minimum. Prices as of November 2020 are $239 per night + tax. Payment is due at time of booking.
Check In – 4pm, Check Out – 10am
Check In only on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

It’s worth noting that children and pets are not allowed at Archer’s Edge.

Phone: +1 902 435-5844 
Address: 1660 Shore Rd, Judique, Nova Scotia
E-mail: archersedgeluxurycamping@hotmail.com 
Website: https://www.archersedge.info 

Location

Judique is a small community on the Western (Inverness) side of Cape Breton. You’ll find most locals pronounce it “Judic”. If you’re arriving from mainland Nova Scotia, Archer’s Edge is only about 25 minutes from the Canso Causeway. Driving from Cheticamp takes about 1hr 25 minutes. 

We really enjoyed the fact that Archer’s Edge is off the beaten path. You drive down a long driveway to a quiet oasis; and with only 5 domes, there’s not too many people around. Some other glamping domes in Nova Scotia are right on the highway, which I can only assume means that you’ll hear lots of traffic at all hours of the day. 

Property Amenities

Besides the domes, there’s not too much on the property. The owner’s provide a parking area, and wagons you can use to bring your belongings from your car to your dome.

There’s also a firepit that everyone can use, and the owners provide wood & matches nightly. Extra wood can be bought for a $5 fee.

Archer’s Edge does not have wi-fi or television, to encourage you to unplug and enjoy the nature that surrounds you. You won’t miss it, promise! 

Popular Attractions Close By

I think this area of Cape Breton is under-explored in favor of the more popular Cabot Trail, and while the Cabot Trail is beautiful and worth exploring, this area also has plenty to do, but mostly in the summer. After Canadian Thanksgiving (early October) most businesses shut down for the winter season. Here are some popular attractions close to Archer’s Edge:

Judique (5 minute drive or less)

If you’re interested in learning about Celtic music, check out the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre. It’s part museum, part live music space. You can take in a performance, and it’s open all year.

The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail runs through Judique, although it starts in Port Hastings (the Causeway), and ends in Inverness. You can bike, walk, run, ski, snowmobile, horseback ride or quad (4-wheeling). 

Port Hood (11 minute drive)

If you want to head to the beach, Port Hood is the place for you! There’s 5 sandy beaches and the water is some of the warmest you’ll find in Nova Scotia.

Also, the Co-op Port Hood is the closest grocery store to the Domes. 

Mabou (20 minute drive)

Home of the Rankin Family! Visit the Red Shoe Pub, or the Red Shoe Pub for some local eats and drinks. Check out the Mabou Farmers Market (Sundays; early June to mid October & Christmastime) for some local crafts & produce.

Our Review of Archer’s Edge

I was so excited when we booked Archer’s Edge for our Cape Breton, Nova Scotia glamping getaway! Staying in a dome was on my bucket list!

On our check in day, owner Scott gave us a call to let us know which dome we would be staying in, and that it would be ready early if we wanted to check-in before 4pm.

Once we arrived we parked and went to our dome. The Domes open by a zipper and do not have locks, so you never have to check-in or out with anybody (very Covid friendly!).

Skip to 9:10 to see the dome tour!

The bed at the domes was very comfortable, and the view was incredible. The large window does have curtains for privacy, but basically no one walks in front of your dome.

Like I said, the bathroom is lacking a door for privacy, but the shower water pressure was nice, and the water stayed hot. They provide towels (but please don’t bring them to the beach).

I recommend packing games to play since there is no wi-fi or TV. We had a blast hanging out, playing games and enjoying the sunset.

We were definitely happy with the amenities in the dome. Our dome was missing coffee pods when we checked in, but a quick message to the owners and 6 pods were left on our doorstep a few minutes later.

I wish I had brought some slippers – since we went in October the floors were a bit chilly, and I didn’t want to have to put on my sneakers to walk around. If you go in the summer, this probably won’t be a problem.

Our Final Review Thoughts…

Final Thoughts

We had a BLAST glamping at Archer’s Edge. I think it’s the perfect spot for a couples getaway for a few nights. Cape Breton is a beautiful area worth exploring, 2 nights might not be enough!

Book your 2021 trip to Archer’s Edge soon – dates are already filling up!

Planning your stops on your Cabot Trail road trip can be daunting! The views on the drive are amazing any time of year (but especially in the Fall). Cape Breton has plenty of things to do, whether you are looking for hiking, golfing, relaxing or checking out museums! It’s the perfect long weekend road trip.

What Is The Cabot Trail?

The almost 300km Cabot Trail is a popular tourist attraction in Nova Scotia. The Cabot Trail refers to the road that you are driving, but the best parts are in the small towns along the way. 

Here’s a handy map of our stops!

How Long Does It Take To Drive The Cabot Trail?

Without stopping, you can drive the Cabot Trail in about 4 hours. But trust me, you’re going to want to stop! We recently spent about 2.5 days on the trail, but you could definitely spend a week exploring (and hiking the 26 trails in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park). 

A highly controversial question… should you drive clockwise or counter-clockwise? Well it doesn’t REALLY matter but we enjoyed traveling counter-clockwise because you’re driving on the outside lane, you get some great views. 

Long Weekend On The Cabot Trail

As an example:

Day 1: arrive in Baddeck from mainland Nova Scotia in the afternoon, check out Alexander Graham Bell Museum and walk the main street.

Day 2: Drive to Ingonish in the morning and hike the Franey Trail, have lunch in Ingonish or wait to drive to Neil’s Harbour to check out Chowder House. Next stop is Beulach Ban Falls and then Lone Shieling. Stay in Cheticamp or Pleasant Bay for the night.

Day 3: Hike Skyline Trail and then explore Cheticamp. Hike the Gypsum Mine trail and stay the night in Cheticamp or drive back to Baddeck

Day 4: Eat at the Dancing Goat for breakfast before heading home!

If you’re not into hiking, substitute golf, or just relaxing. It really is a choose your own adventure type of trip!

Cabot Trail Itinerary

We’re going to start in Baddeck for the purposes of this post, but you can start wherever you like. In fact we came from Sydney and started in Ingonish on our trip. If you’re coming from outside of Cape Breton, you might take Highway 105 to Baddeck and start there, or follow Route 19 – The Ceilidh Trail to Margaree and start there! 

Baddeck

Once you drive into Baddeck you’ll realize just how many hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts there are. In fact this town of 700 residents has over 600 rooms for you to stay in! The main road; Chebucto Street has so many great shops and restaurants. We loved stopping into Bean There Cafe to grab a drink before wandering around the town.

To eat, you may want to try the Freight Shed Bistro on the waterfront. The food is imaginative and delicious.

One of the main attractions in Baddeck is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. It is a museum dedicated to the life of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone and Baddeck summer resident. Bell was a pioneer in deaf education, and also experimented with aeronautics. Baddeck was the site of the first controlled powered aircraft flight in Canada in 1909 on the Silver Dart, designed by Bell and the Aerial Experiment Association.

Ingonish

Ingonish is a cluster of 5 communities (Ingonish Ferry, Ingonish Harbour, Ingonish Beach, Ingonish Centre and Ingonish) with lots of great things to do. First; it is the Eastern entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. There is a small visitor’s centre where you can pay for your day pass ($7.90 per adult) and grab a map. 

If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, we recommend hiking Franey Trail. It is a pretty difficult hike because it is mostly uphill but the views at the top are worth it! It is about 7.5KM long and took us just over 2 hours, but we walk pretty speedy so it may take you a bit longer. 

If you’re looking for a place to stay, the famous Keltic Lodge in Ingonish is a great choice. It started as a private residence but in 1936 the Corson family sold the property to the Canadian Government to be turned into a luxury resort. The Cape Breton Highland Links golf course is on the same property and was designed by Stanley Thompson. He called it the “Mountains and Oceans” course, and it’s currently sitting at #9 in Canada according to ScoreGolf Canada.

To eat, we recommend Salty Rose’s & The Periwinkle Cafe. Salty Rose’s is a cute gift shop, selling locally made clothing, home decor, jewelry and gifts. In the same building you can order a delicious bite to eat and coffee from Periwinkle Cafe. There are a few seats outside and inside. If they happen to have the roasted squash and sage soup when you visit, I highly recommend getting that!

Neil’s Harbour

Neil’s Harbour is a quaint fishing village that most people probably drive past! We stopped in and visited the lighthouse, which serves ice-cream in the summer (sadly not in October!). Just over from the lighthouse is The Chowder House. I have it on good authority that the seafood chowder is amazing, however we did not stop in! 

To continue on your Cabot Trail journey, you could leave Neil’s Harbour and get back on the Cabot Trail road, however we recommend taking New Haven Rd through White Point for better views (it only adds about 10 minutes to your trip). In Dingwall you’ll have the option to continue on the Cabot Trail or detour up to the Aspy Bay and Meat Cove. If you have the time it is a lovely area with great views and hikes! If not, continue on the Cabot Trail…

Beulach Ban Falls

Our next stop is in the middle of nowhere, but on the side of the road in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park you can see Beulach Ban Falls This 65’ waterfall is impressive, and the best part is there is no hiking to get to it! The parking lot is just steps away from the bottom of the falls. Beware: it can be very busy here!  There is a 10km hiking trail that leaves from the same parking lot called Aspy Trail. 

Pleasant Bay

Our next stop is also along the side of the road; Lone Shieling is a replica of the huts built on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. You can also walk the short trail through a 350 year old sugar maple forest! It was magical in the Fall!

Pleasant Bay is a great place to go on a whale watching tour. There are several companies offering tours May through mid October. We did not take a tour this time around (we did have a great experience whale watching on Brier Island in southwest Nova Scotia though). 

There is also a Whale Interpretive Centre where you can learn about the whales, dolphins and porpoises that visit Cape Breton waters every year.

Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail might be one of the most popular hikes in Cape Breton! The views are amazing, but even though the hike is long, it is fairly easy and flat. You have the option of a 7km in and out hike, or 9km loop. We opted for the loop and it took us about 2 hours from start to finish (but we walk fast!).

We saw people of all ages on the trail, which has washroom facilities both at the start of the trail and throughout the trail. 

Cheticamp

Cheticamp is the biggest town along the Cabot Trail, with a population of almost 4000 people. French is the native language of 38% of people who live in the Cheticamp area due to the large Acadian population. 

It’s the second entrance/exit to the Highlands National Park, and you can find a Welcome centre with a campground to pay your park fees and get a map and park information! 

Another great hike is the Gypsum Mine Trail. It’s private land but all well marked. There are several trails, but just follow the sign that says Lake (or Lac in French). The views are amazing at the end, and you can swim in the lake in the summer. You will have to climb a bit for the classic views, but it’s worth it!

For the golf enthusiast, Le Portage Golf Club offers an amazing course with spectacular views. Although this course isn’t as popular as the Highland Links or nearby Cabot Cliffs or Cabot Links, it’s a bit of a hidden gem!

Now for my favorite topic; food! You must stop at Aucoin bakery to grab some sweets and bread for your trip! We grabbed some cinnamon rolls, a donut and an apple fritter and everything was delicious. For lunch we ate at The Doryman Pub & Grill, and really enjoyed it! They serve classic pub food, and they are known for their live music. 

Margaree Valley

Once you leave the Cheticamp area, you’ll drive through the Margaree Valley to connect back to Baddeck. 

I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the Dancing Goat Cafe, but sadly we did not stop in. Along the Cabot Trail road you’ll find lots of gift shops and local craft stores to stop into. The Margaree Salmon Museum will teach you all about the famous Atlantic Salmon (sadly closed for the 2020 season!) in an old one room schoolhouse.

Final Thoughts

There’s no rule that you have to do the WHOLE Cabot Trail. We skipped Maragree and kept heading down the coast to follow the Ceilidh Trail through Inverness and Port Hood. Check out more tips to plan your Cabot Trail trip.

Cape Breton also has so many more amazing destinations like Sydney, and the Fortress of Louisbourg.

We finally checked an item off my bucket list and drove Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail to see the Fall colours! The Cabot Trail is beautiful any time of year but the leaves changing made everything extra beautiful.

There are some things I wish I knew before I went, and that’s what I’m going to tell you about today! It can be an amazing trip, especially with some advance planning so you don’t miss out on what makes the Cabot Trail (and Cape Breton in general) so amazing.

What Is The Cabot Trail?

The Cabot Trail is a 298KM (186 mile) driving route around the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and along the coastline. It is a loop, so it doesn’t have a technical beginning and end, but most people start either in Baddeck or Margaree/Cheticamp.

The trail is named for John Cabot, an explorer who landed in Atlantic Canada in 1497 (although he most likely landed in Newfoundland, not Cape Breton). 

Cape Breton Island makes up the northern part of Nova Scotia, it is connected to the mainland by the Canso Causeway, which is the only way on/off the island except for the ferry to Newfoundland.

What To Do On The Cabot Trail In October

Autumn is a very popular time to visit the Cabot Trail because of the leaves changing colours!

Hiking is a very popular activity in the Fall, and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park has 26 hiking trails to choose from! All different lengths and abilities available. 

There are many beaches along the way as well. Although October may be a bit chilly for a beach day, they are still nice to walk along. 

Fall can be a great time to golf, and there are many choices around the trail, including Highland Links, at the Keltic Lodge in Ingonish, which is rated #9 in Canada by Score Golf Canada! #1 rated course Cabot Cliffs and #5 rated course Cabot Links are both in Inverness, not technically ON the Cabot Trail, but very close by. Safe to say that Cape Breton is a golf destination! (Thanks to my Dad for the golf info… he’s the golf expert in the family)

Driving along, you’ll want to stop at most of the amazing look offs, because this is what you came for, all these amazing views!

Driving the Cabot Trail for a few days? Check out my Cabot Trail long weekend itinerary

Tips For Visiting The Cabot Trail in October

Book In Advance

It’s hard to know when peak colours will be on the Cabot Trail as it depends on the weather. It also peaks at different places at different times. On this trip we found the Ingonish side to be vibrant, but the Cheticamp side a bit duller. We also had a lot of wind storms in September and October that blew leaves off the trees before they turned.

But you still need to book your accommodations in advance, as this is a very popular time of year, places book up quickly! Especially if you are visiting over Celtic Colors, or (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend. 

Celtic Colours Festival

This annual festival starts the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend (early October) every year and goes on for about 8 days. Celtic Colours takes place all over Cape Breton, not just on the Cabot Trail and consists of concerts, learning workshops, meals, markets, and more. Many events are held at local fire halls and community halls all over the island. 

2021 is still virtual! Keep an eye on their website for further announcements.

Read more about other things to do in Nova Scotia in the Fall

Visiting In Late October

After the Celtic Colours Festival everything begins to shut down for the winter. Restaurants may be closed completely or only be open on weekends. I recommend calling places in advance to make sure they are open before you visit.

You can certainly still have a great trip (with less crowds) later in the month, but it will take a little more advance planning. 

Prepare For Any Weather

If you’re from Atlantic Canada, then you know how difficult it is to dress (and pack) for our Fall days. Sometimes it’s 0C in the morning and 17C by the afternoon. In 2020 parts of Nova Scotia had snow in early October.

The key to being comfortable is packing layers. On most of our hikes we wore thin long sleeve shirts with thicker sweaters that we could take off, and that was just right! We also brought hats and gloves too because the wind can be quite chilly, even in the sun. When in doubt, pack as many layers as you can (and a raincoat!).

Prepare To Go Offline

Parts of the Cabot Trail (and Cape Breton), especially in the Northern part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park don’t have any cell service. Make sure to bring a GPS and a map so that you aren’t relying on your phone GPS. You can get a park map at both of the entrances to the park (Cheticamp and Ingonish). 

There are emergency phones on the side of the road in places throughout the northern part of the trail. 

Watch For Wildlife

You will be in parts of Cape Breton where moose, bears, coyotes, and other wild animals live. You will need to watch for them on the roads and also when you are hiking.

Generally you should carry a stick while hiking, and bear spray if possible. People have been attacked and even killed in the past so familiarize yourself with what to do should you encounter wildlife. Parks Canada gives you a brochure with instructions when you buy your park pass.

Final Thoughts

October is an amazing time to visit Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail! The weather is usually great for hiking, and the leaves changing are something you must see in person. 

I hope you’re planning your trip to Cape Breton right now!

You might also want to check out the Fortress of Louisbourg on your trip.

See other articles about Nova Scotia here

Visiting The Fortress Of Louisbourg

Late May until mid October the Fortress is open 7 days a week from 9:30am to 5:00pm

Admission is $17.60 for adults 18-64, under 17 is free, and 65+ is $14.95.

Louisbourg is approximately 45min from the city of Sydney in Cape Breton via trunk 22 S.

Visit their website for more information here.

There are a few places to eat in the Fortress, Hôtel de la Marine and the Grandchamp House serve full meals; you can grab soup or a snack at L’Épée Royale, and for delicious homemade bread, baked in a stone oven every morning, visit The King’s Bakery.

About The Fortress

The Fortress was named after King of France, Louis XIV, also known as Louis the Great. The French founded the settlement in 1713. They constructed a fortress to protect against British invasion. The Fortress of Louisbourg had a population of around 4000 in the mid 1700s. They lived, fished and traded, being seized twice and then finally destroyed in 1760. It laid untouched by anyone until archeologists started reconstructing the fortress back to it’s former glory. You can now walk through the fortress, as it would have looked around the 1740s.

Points of Interest

The Dauphin Gate

This is the main gate when you enter the fortress. In it’s heyday, it was manned 24 hours a day by 30 soldiers.

The Quay

Once you enter the fortress you’ll walk along the quay, which runs along the waterfront. There are often reenactments for you to enjoy.

The Frédéric Gate

This gate dominates the waterfront and can be seen from many places in the fortress. Through this gate came people, news and merchandise from boats. Large vessels would anchor offshore, but smaller ones could dock close by.

The Military Chapel

The majority of the people who lived in Louisbourg were Catholics, since no parish church was ever built, the community worshiped in the military chapel.

The King’s Bastion Barracks

Over 500 men lived in these barracks, with 12-16 men per bunk.

De Gannes House

The home of Michel de Gannes de Falaise, who became the King’s Lieutenant. He married Elizabeth de Catalogne and had six children. When you visit you may be able to watch someone demonstrate making lace.

Governor’s Apartments

Most of the governors who lived in these apartments were unmarried middle-aged naval officers. Commandant Jean- Baptiste-Louis le Prévost Duquesnel was one of them. Representing the king’s majesty in person, the Governor lived lavishly.

Things To Note

It’s often chilly in Louisbourg, even if it’s beautiful and sunny in Sydney, so you should bring at least a light sweater.

Although the town outside the fortress is small, you can visit the Louisbourg Lighthouse. Currently standing is the fourth lighthouse on that spot, the first was built in 1734 and was the first lighthouse built in Canada.

Read all about Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail!

Have you been to the Fortress of Louisbourg? What was your favourite part?

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