Boston Canada Travel

Image of Grand Pré, Where French Settlers First Came to Nova Scotia

Earlier this year, a proposal was sent for the Grand Pré site to be included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, which would relegate it to the level of the pyramids of Egypt and Nova Scotia’s Joggins fossils cliffs, among other world-renowned sites.

Grand Pré, translated to mean Great Meadow, is the locale where the French-speaking Acadians first settled in Nova Scotia in 1680, part of the original Quebec settlers. An Italian, Verrazano, had chosen the name Arcadia, inspired by a poem about an ancient pastoral Greece. This name evolved to Acadie and extended to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and a part of Québec and Maine. Some say Acadie came from the Indian Mi’kmaq suffix e’kati, meaning “land of” or “place of.”

Although the Acadians flourished, the British settlers in Nova Scotia were threatened by their success, and in 1710 deported them first to other British colonies, including New England. Over the next eight years, the Acadians were then deported to England and France, including its colony, Louisiana. Some stayed in Canada, fleeing to Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton.

The plight of the Acadians would have probably been forgotten, had it not been for two famous New England authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Hawthorne introduced Longfellow to the true plight of the Acadians, which Longfellow then immortalized in his poem, Evangeline. This poem launched Longfellow’s career, and kept the Acadian story alive.

Grande Pré Historic Site, Natural Wonder & Cultural Treasure

Stained-Glass Window at Grand Pré

At the new Visitor’s Center, opened in 2009, you can enjoy a multimedia re-enactment experience in a hull-shapes theatre. You can also view the world-famous statue of Evangeline, or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it on the expansive grounds. You can also view the reconstructed church with paintings depicting the lives of the Acadians before deportation and the traumatic events thereafter. Finally, you can visit the actual archaeological digs where pieces of pottery and a levy made from a tree trunk were unearthed.

Grand Pré Wines, the First in Atlantic Canada

The first winery in Atlantic Canada, Grand Pré Wines, was originally established by an American named Roger Dial in the 1970s. He planted a varietal he found in Ontario and called it Acadie, after the region. This wine thrived in the cooler Nova Scotia climate.

In 1990, Hanspeter Stutz bought the winery and completely renovated it, including replanting the wines that had fallen into neglect. On the red side, he planted a grape called Marechel Foch, named after the French General. This varietal was already known to Nova Scotia, but had never been successfully planted.

On the white side, he planted Acadie which already had a demonstrated track record in Nova Scotia. Finally, he decided to produce an award-winning sparkling wine, naming it Champlain after the famous Quebec founder.

Be sure to stop by the wine bar and boutique to sample these unique varietals, which can be paired with local cheeses, or if you’re hungry enough, head over to Le Caveau for some inspiring cuisine.

Le Caveau Restaurant

Winning the 2011 Establishment of the Year by the Association of Nova Scotia Chefs, Le Caveau Restaurant has come into its own as a renowned culinary establishment. From pan seared local sea bass with cape curry sauce to confit of Martock glen duck with roasted root vegetables, Chef Jason Lynch uses 80% of his menu items from nearby farms. Studying at Ottawa’s Cordon Bleu certainly helped too!

Between the Grand Pré Historic Site, Grand Pré Wines and Le Caveau, what a great place to spend a weekend or longer, to learn about Nova Scotia’s colorful past, now heading for a wonderful future.