The oldest permanent French settlement in Canada, known as the "Habitation Port-Royal", lies on the estuary of a small river which here enters the Bay of Fundy. The settlement was founded in 1605 by Sieur de Monts who had emigrated to North America with Samuel de Champlain and - with the permission of the French King Henry IV - founded the
colony of Acadia. Thanks mainly to the rich agricultural soil the little colony quickly prospered, and trading links were established with the native Indians. In 1613 Port-Royal was destroyed by a British expeditionary force, and after that it found itself alternately under English/Scottish and French rule.
In 1629 a Scottish fort was built a little way from the French settlement. This Scottish settlement - named after Queen Anna Stuart - is considered to have been the nucleus of the present province of Nova Scotia. After the region had been handed back to France in 1632 the fortified settlement was destroyed by its inhabitants.
The colony was rebuilt by Seigneur d'Aulnay around 1636, and quickly prospered. After quarrels among the French ruling classes Port-Royal again became an English possession in 1654, but under the Treaty of Breda 1667 it was once more returned to France.
In 1710 the settlement was finally captured by the British and Annapolis Royal became the first capital of Nova Scotia.
Sights
Along Lower St George Street some buildings dating from the early period of this old French and later English/Scottish colony have recently been restored, and there are some interesting exhibitions to be viewed.
The French dykes around the harbor basin have been preserved, and there is a fine view to be had from there.
Print this page
Add to Favorites
