Louisbourg was a very prosperous settlement with so much promise of things to come. They had a continually growing population, plenty of fish, as well as a strong trade established through its harbor. So how could it possibly be destroyed? Louisbourg's history is littered with battles, each one interesting in its own way. Learn how the French first lost control of their mighty fortress to the British.

The British king had watched Louisbourg with an eager eye as it grew more prosperous and more powerful. He noticed Louisbourg's strong defenses but also seen their vulnerability. These would be the small hills towards the mainland. They provided perfect cover for his batteries.

With so much work being put into finishing the fortress, other aspects of its upkeep were put on hold. Word began to leak of the fortress' weakened state, the fortress itself was in need of many repairs and its troops were in poor supply, whispers of mutiny spread amongst them. This information made its way over to the king of Britain, who seen it as the perfect opportunity to attack. He immediately began arranging is troops and it was not long before the British attacked. Their attack was strong and the battle lasted only 45 days ending on June 16th 1745.

Not long after, the French began a voyage with intention of taking back their fortress, but were forced to turn back as wild storms, deadly diseases and attacks by British naval ships stood in their way. Short men once again the French did not need to dwell on their defeat for long. Just three years after it had been taken away, their land was given back by way of the Aix-la-Chapelle treaty that was signed on October 18th 1748.

The treaty had *" ended the War of the Austrian Succession and stipulated the restitution of the Fortress of Louisbourg to France by the British occupation force. In return the French restored Fort St George, India to the British. The New England forces left, taking with them the famous Louisbourg Cross which had hung in the fortress chapel. This cross was only rediscovered in the Harvard University archives in the latter half of the 20th century; it is now on long-term loan to the Louisburg historic site."

The French were able to return to their fortress, however this wasn't near the end of their battles. They would be attacked many more times before the final end of their beloved fortress.

You may learn about how Louisbourg came to be in my article "The Founding of Louisbourg" also available for your reading pleasure is "The Destruction of Louisbourg" where you may learn about the final attacks leading up to the fortress' tragic ending. Last but not least is "The Fortress of Louisbourg
" which will allow explain to you Louisbourg as it stands today. As Canada's largest historic reconstruction, it has plenty to offer the whole family.

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* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_of_Louisbourg, para. 7 (Louisbourg Returned) Retrieved February 14th 2009

Louisbourg Institute, Cape Breton University. (2009, February 04). Fortress of Louisbourg. Retrieved February 14, 2009, from http://fortress.uccb.ns.ca/homeeng/
(2003, February 11). Fortress of Louisburg. Retrieved February 14, 2009, from
http://www.louisbourg.ca/fort/