Stroll Through the Centuries

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Annapolis
Royal,Annapolis
Nova Royal,
Scotia
Area
Champlain would be proud to see how Port-Royal of 1605, one of North America’s first European settlements, has blossomed into “The World’s Most Liveable Small Community.”
Explore the Annapolis Royal Area, steeped in history and rich in beautiful scenery. Enjoy the 25th Anniversary of the Annapolis Region Community Arts Council.
(Fry & & Parks Canada)
Stroll Through the Centuries
As one of the oldest European
settlements in Canada, Annapolis
Royal is one of only a few plaqued
National Historic Districts. In 1605
the area was settled by a small
group of French explorers two years
before Jamestown, Virginia, three
years before the founding of
Quebec, and fifteen years before the
Pilgrims landed at Plymouth,
Massachusetts. Led by Samuel de
Champlain and Sieur de Mons, the
French named the new land Port
Royal and built the Habitation as a
center for operations in Acadia.
This creative group formed the
“Order of Good Cheer,” North
America’s first social club. For its
entertainment, a Parisian lawyer,
Marc Lescarbot, wrote and
produced “The Theatre of
Neptune,” the first European drama
in North America. He wrote one of
the first travel books about his
experiences in Port Royal. In 1607,
the settlers built North America’s
first water-powered grist mill.
During the 150 year struggle
for control of the continent, the area
changed hands between the French
and English seven times. In the
1640s the French constructed the
first of four forts on the site that is
now Fort Anne. In 1710 the British
captured Port Royal and renamed it
Annapolis Royal to honour Queen
Anne. It remained the capital until
Halifax was started in 1749. Fort
Anne opened in 1917 and is
Canada’s oldest continuously
operated National Historic Site.
The fortifications are among the
best Vauban earthenworks in
Canada. The Fort Anne Heritage
Tapestry in the Officers’ Quarters
Museum was stitched by over 100
volunteers over a four year period.
This large mural tapestry features
highlights of the past 400 years.
As seat of government for both
French and British regimes, the area
holds an important place in
Canada’s early history. Today it is
the quietly dignified home of about
450 people and the site of another
interesting “first,” North America’s
only tidal power generating station.
Recipient of the 2006 Prince of
Wales Award, Annapolis Royal was
also selected as “The World’s Most
Liveable Small Community” in
2004 in international competition
endorsed by the United Nations.
Enjoy a delightful blend of
panoramic scenery and culture as
you stroll through 400 years of
history. Festvals and events, King’s
Theatre, interesting museums and
ecotourism adventures offer many
entertainment options. Unique
waterfront shopping with its scenic
boardwalk, delicious dining and
gracious accommodations await
you. From the Farmers and Traders
Market, boat haul-up and Fort
Anne, to the Historic Gardens, Tidal
Power Plant, Port-Royal Habitation
and Bay of Fundy, the Annapolis
Royal Area makes the perfect
vacation destination.
“Explore Annapolis Royal.”
Promenade à travers les siècles
La région d’Annapolis Royal
est un des piliers de la
colonisation européenne au
Canada. Deux ans avant
l’établissement de Jamestown en
Virginie, trois ans avant la
fondation de Québec et quinze
ans avant le débarquement des
Pélerins à Plymouth, une poignée
d’explorateurs français sous la
direction de Sieur de Mons et
Samuel de Champlain, s’établit
en 1605 dans notre région que
Champlain nomme le “PortRoyal.”
Champlain fonde “L’Ordre
de Bon Temps” afin de divertir les
gens et assurer une bonne
alimentation. Marc Lescarbot,
avocat parisien, écrit “Le Théâtre
de Neptune,” jouée pour la
première fois en novembre 1606.
Le Chef Membertou est baptisé à
la foi Catholique en 1610.
L’Habitation de Port-Royal fut
brûlée par les Anglais en 1613.
Un nouveau groupe de
Français arrive dans les 1630s et
1640s sous la direction de
Charles de Menou d’Aulnay.
D’Aulnay construit un fort où l’on
trouve présentement le fort Anne.
Le peuple s’installe le long de la
rivière et notre région de PortRoyal devient le “berceau de
l’Acadie.” La région fut capturée
par les Anglais en 1710 et
renommée Annapolis Royal en
honneur de la reine Anne. On fut
la capitale de la Nouvelle-Écosse
jusqu’à la fondation de Halifax en
1749.
Visitez nos sites historiques,
faites des emplettes, savourez un
repas, logez dans une auberge
historique.
Your
Family
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