Acadian Shores

Hi Blog!

On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, we set out to explore the Acadian Shore. Located south and east of Yarmouth, this area of Nova Scotia was first settled in the 1600's by French Acadians. In 1755, Great Britian was at war with France and deported all the French from Nova Scotia. However, by 1764, the French were permitted to return to this area as long as they swore allegiance to the British Crown. As it was back in the day, fishing is the main occupation along the shore. We stopped to admire some of the lobster boats. Lobster season is over and everyone is gearing up for the herring run.

No shore drive would be complete if we didn't find at least one lighthouse. Here is our first look at the Pubnico Harbour Lighthouse. Just across the harbor is Nova Scotia's first wind farm. The Pubnico Point Wind Farm has 17 turbines. We watched as the fog rolled in. Now you see them, now you don't!

A lighthouse was first constructed on the breakwater back in 1853. In 1967, the original building was removed and replaced with this automated tower. You can see a few more of the wind turbines in the background. We also did a little rocky beachcombing looking for sea glass.

On our way to Le Village Historique Acadien in West Pubnico, we stopped at the Red Cap for lunch and enjoyed some traditional Acadian dishes...

seafood crepes and rappi pie. Rappie pie, or rapure in French, is a well loved traditional Acadian dish. It’s a delicious mix of potatoes, onions and chicken, and it’s unique to the region. It’s not a pot pie in the conventional sense, as there is no pastry crust. We didn't get a picture of our seafood chowder, but it was the best we have ever tasted. To hear what it was like to dine in a traditional Acadian restaurant, click this link to our video.

After lunch, we drove over to the Acadian History Museum in West Pubnico. This area was founded in 1653 by Philippe Mius d'Entremont. It is the oldest Acadian community still inhabited mainly by Acadians. Most of the residents are descendants of the founder. In fact, the woman at the reception desk is a direct descendant of Monsieur d'Entremont. Here is our first look at the 17 acre site.

In April 1997, both the federal and the provincial governments announced funding over a two-year period for an Acadian village project in West Pubnico, Nova Scotia. This undertaking was to include, among other things, construction and relocation of 19th century Acadian buildings, as well as the project management. The tour was self-guided, but several of the buildings had local residents as interpreters. Unfortunately, no one was manning the post office when Kathy tried to mail her letter.

As we began to walk about, the fog lifted and we got our first good look at Pubnico Harbour.

The Charles Duon House was built around 1832. The inside was furnished with pieces of that period.

The boat shop was added in 2004. We had a chance to chat with one of the local fisherman and boat builders shown in the photo below. He took classes on boat building and now demonstrates how the "Shelburne" dory (as distinguished from the "Lunenberg" dory that has become prevalent in Newfoundland) is constructed.

Here we see one of his finished products.

The Abbott's Harbour Lighthouse was constructed in 1922. For its first 77 years, the light was kept by the d'Entremont Family. It was moved to the museum in 2004.

We finished our tour of this section of the Acadian Shores with a stop at Tusket Falls Brewing. Tomorrow we head into Yarmouth. Stay tuned.