Touring the fortress was definitely an education, not only about the life and times in New France in the early to mid 18th century, but also about the political climate of Europe at that time as well. It took 25 years to build the fortress, but only 6 months to loose it to England forever.
And if the tour of the fortress was educational, the tour of the Miner’s Museum was humbling. Our guide began working in the mines at 8 years old, alongside his father, grandfather, 6 uncles and cousins, surviving over 50 years of backbreaking and often inhuman labour.
Our mere 1/2 hour in the tunnels left us wanting a good massage.
His stories were his own and his family’s, and he finished with a message both admonishing and encouraging us to be grateful for all the blessings we enjoy.
Yes, a full day indeed, much to celebrate and think about as we sit down to a good meal and our continuing tour.
We get ready to go ‘down under’. The helmuts were a must in a constricted, dark tunnel that’s only 5 feet tall. Most of us would have had heads whacked many times without them.
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