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.
Fort Anne National Historic Site has been the scene of many battles throughout its history. The on site museum details the history of the fort and the town.
Habitation Port-Royal recreates this historic settlement that existed in the early 17th C, with period style buildings that include the homes of the most prominent residents.
Outside Annapolis Royal, about 10km (6mi) to the north on the north bank of the tidal power station at Annapolis is the first of its kind in North America. It started up in 1985 and utilizes the hydro-energy released by the tidal rise, which is the highest in the world. It is also a pilot scheme for a much larger power station based on the same principle, which is expected to produce 6000 megawatts of electricity.
To the south of Fort Anne lie some very well-tended gardens, including the Governor's Garden from the early 18th C, a Victorian Garden and a very pretty Rose Garden.
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens are divided by theme to represent different historical eras.
The Victorian period has been brought back to life in the well-restored O'Dell Inn.
The O'Dell Inn, now the O'Dell House Museum, in Annapolis Royal, features 12 rooms displaying furnishings, clothing, and theme displays from the 1780s to the 1940's.
Address: O'Dell Inn, 136 St George Street, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S1A0, Canada
Phone: 1 (902) 532-7754, Fax: 1 (902) 532-0700
Hours:
May 25 to September 5: 9am-5pm
September 6 to May 24: 1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The North Hills Museum in Granville Ferry is worth a visit. This little half-timbered building is furnished in 18th C style.
This house was bequeathed to the government by Robert Patterson. It contains his personal collection of English furniture, ceramics, silver and Georgian glass, including 18th and 19th C English porcelain and 18th C glass.
Beyond Annapolis Royal the road crosses the Annapolis River, lined with well-tilled fields and apple trees as far as the eye can see. The road passes through the pretty townships of Bridgetown, Lawrencetown and Middletown, where a number of neat little Loyalist houses can still be seen.
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Fort Anne National Historic Site
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