The French named their new land 'Acadia' after an Eden-like place in ancient Greece where the inhabitants lived in rustic simplicity and content. However, their paradise was shattered when Britain won control of the French colonies and forcibly deported the Acadians. It’s a tragic story. Ten thousand people were forced onto British ships and deported, their homes burned and belongings scattered. Many found their way to Louisiana and the present French population there, known as Cajuns, are the direct descendents of the deported Acadians.
Later came another group - the Scottish Highlanders, also victims of a cruel expulsion, the Clearances Act in the early 19th century. By this time many Acadians had found their way back to their homeland and it is this eclectic mix of cultures, including others from Europe, which has formed the unique flavour of the Canadian Atlantic provinces,
Explore Grand Pré - Heart of Acadia
Hire a car in Halifax and take time to visit this very attractive city and its South Shore and then north en-route to New Brunswick. But before leaving Nova Scotia visit the historic heart of Acadia, Grand Pré. This is just a mile or so east of Wolfville and Grand Pré park is consider the most important historic site by the Acadian people - it recalls their saddest and most heroic moments.
2,200 people were deported from Grand Pré and surrounding villages in 1755. Longfellow’s epic poem “Evangeline” tells the tale of two Acadian lovers, Evangeline and Gabriel, separated at the time of the deportation. Evangeline spends the rest of her life looking for her lover and eventually finds him dying. Her statue stands in the park, as does a bust of Longfellow. A simple church on the site has Acadian artifacts particularly relating to the deportation.
North East Coast of New Brunswick.
Explore the French villages along the north east coast of New Brunswick. This region is known as the “Acadian Coast” .About 35 percent of the population of the province are French-speaking descendents of the Acadians and their villages reflect their pride in their history. The Acadian Flag (red, white and blue like the French flag), is painted on mail boxes, on telegraph poles and even on lobster pots. Each village seems to lay claim to something special. Cap Pelé has very good beaches but is better known locally for Fred’s Restaurant, famous in the area for its deep fried clams - you eat them from a bag, like chips.
La Dune de Bouctouche.
Just a little further up the coast is Bouctouche which has a wonderful eco-centre, La Dune de Bouctouche. It was developed to preserve one of the few remaining great sand dunes on this north eastern coastline of North America. The Acadians saw Bouctouche as a safe harbour and as a future commercial port in their new Acadia. The white sand dune stretches 12 km across Bouctouche Bay and has remained virtually unchanged since the glaciers melted. It is a haven for wildlife and there’s a 2 km boardwalk which winds across the dune like a giant snake, from which visitors can observe the wildlife without encroaching on this sensitive area.
There are some very good B & B’s along this coastline, many in large, perfectly preserved 19th century mansions.
Cathy Smith - I have Miss McGinn to thank for my becoming a writer. I was in her class for only two years from age nine to eleven. In what we called ...
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