Acadian Regions

Chéticamp on the Cabot Trail is a busy fishing village with a thriving Acadian culture. Visitors will often hear the lively sounds of Acadian French being spoken and in restaurants, visitors will sample typical Acadian food. Chéticamp is the centre of rug hooking and many other fine crafts. Les Trois Pignons displays artifacts and the fine hooked rugs and embroidery of international acclaimed artist Dr. Elizabeth Lefort and other noted local artists. The Acadian museum presents displays on the history of the early Acadian settlers.

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Cape Breton, Fleur de Lis - Isle Madame Region
On Isle Madame along the Fleur de Lis trail, you will find the Acadian fishing villages of Petit-de-Grat and Little Anse which are romantic and picturesque with their weathered piers, stacked lobster traps and nets, colourful houses facing the sea and boats anchored in small inlets. Petit-de-Grat is the oldest fishing village in the area; Basque and Portuguese fishermen found refuge here against the Atlantic storms as far back as 1500. An Acadian festival is held at the end of July. Little Anse, on Petit-de-Grat Island is a photographer’s delight with its typical fishermen’s houses and numerous coves.

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In Mavilette, you will find Mavillette Beach a lovely 2 km expanse of sand and dunes, provides interpretative panels, guided tours and a bird-watching platform on the marsh.

In the village of St Alphonse, St-Alphonse Church is one of the most charming of the Acadian churches along this shore. Meteghan, settled in 1785 is the Acadian Shore busiest port, home of the scallop draggers, herring seiners and cod and lobster boats. Visit Bangor Sawmill Museum, a restored water-powered sawmill.

In Saulnierville, visit historic Sacré-Coeur Church, local craft studios and the wharf. One of the finest and most celebrated of the Acadian churches is St Mary’s Church at Church Point. The village of Grosses Coques is name for the large clams found here which are said to be the largest on the eastern seaboard. Belliveau Cove is a former lumbering and shipbuilding community features a picturesque lighthouse and wharf, a park with guided tours and a beach that is popular clamming location.

At St-Bernard, an awe-inspiring granite church which seats 1,000. Guided tours are available and classical music concerts are held here. The Festival Acadien de Clare is the oldest Acadian festival and takes place in July every summer.

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Yarmouth & Acadian Shores – Argyle Region
You will find the French-speaking communities of Pubnico. Settled in 1653 by Acadians, these villages make up the oldest Acadian settlement in the province. At West Pubnico, there are two sites dedicated to preserving the area’s heritage. Le Village historique acadien restoration features period homes from pre-1920 and fish houses, artifacts and plenty of Acadian joie de vivre. Le Musée acadien and research centre, a homestead dating back to 1864, has costumed interpreters and offers various programs and demonstrations throughout the summer.

In Wedgeport, you will find the Sport Tuna Fishing Museum and Interpretative Centre. The Butte-de-la-Croix is an historic site commemorating the first mass held here in 1769 for the returning Acadian. This site features a salt marsh boardwalk and a magnificent view of the Tusket Islands. Several festivals will celebrate Acadian culture during the summer months throughout the region.

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Northumberland Shore - Pomquet Region
The village of Pomquet on the Northumberland Shore was settled in 1761 by Acadians and today many homes proudly fly Stella Maris, the Acadian flag, Pomquet features Acadian entertainment weekly throughout the summer. Pomquet Beach is a magnificent expanse of sand and dunes that stretches along the coast for over 2km.

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