The eighteenth-century colony of Isle Royale, which was comprised of present day Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island, was established in 1713 at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession[1].  In 1718 Louisbourg became the capital of the new French colony and soon developed into one of the most important trading centers for all of new France as well as a strategic military base for the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Quebec[2].

          Louisbourgs importance to the French was demonstrated by the decision to build widespread fortifications and sea batteries to protect the town and harbour.   Louisbourg became the main French military stronghold in the Atlantic region.   The fortress was ranked among the most heavily defended settlements on the continent[3].

         Despite the extensive fortification, in 1945 Louisbourg was attacked and conquered by New England colonists, supported by the British.   It's citizens were deported back to France and the town was occupied by the British until 1749  when Cape Breton was returned to France after the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle[4].  The French strengthened the fortifications upon their return and continued to use the port as a base for the French navy, however this was short lived when Louisbourg was besieged in 1758 during the Seven Years' War and was captured by the British once again[5].   The British destroyed the fortification in 1760 and abandon Louisbourg following the Seven Years War (1756-63) in favour of Halifax[6].

            In it’s prime the population of Louisbourg was in the thousands. It’s inhabitants were mostly French, yet the town was home to several hundred Basques, as many as 150 Germans and Swiss and smaller numbers of Irish, English, African and occasionally Micmac peoples[7].   The colony’s cultural life was dominated by European civilization and traditions – including music.