Annapolis Royal Tourist Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Annapolis Royal
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.
Fort Anne National Historic Site
Fort Anne, the scene of so many battles in the past, is today classified as Fort Anne National Historic Site. The old fortifications, the powder magazine and the ramparts are all open to visitors. Tall chimneys mark the officers' quarters. There are memorials to Sieur de Monts, Samuel Vetch, Acadia's first governor, and Jean Paul Mascarene. On the fort flies the flag showing the English St George's Cross and the Scottish St Andrew's Cross.There is also a museum depicting in detail the history of the town and that of Acadia and Nova Scotia, as well as the natural history of the region. Some Indian canoes and various other artifacts complete the exhibition.
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
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.
Habitation Port-Royal
Outside Annapolis Royal, about 10km (6mi) to the north on the north bank of the Annapolis River, stands the Habitation Port-Royal settlement of Sieur des Monts, which has been faithfully restored. The whole complex is now an historic monument.The plain wooden buildings are in early 17th C style. There is a Governor's Residence, a Priest's House, a smithy and a room in which the Indians used to barter their furs for European goods. Most interesting is the house of the apothecary Louis Hébert, the first European farmer in North America who later settled in Québec.In the "Habitation" in 1606 Samuel de Champlain founded "L'Ordre de Bon Temps", the first society in North America based on the doctrine of love for one's fellow man.
Tidal Power Station
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.
O'Dell Inn
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.
Surroundings
There are a number of sights and attractions within a short distance of Annapolis Royal.
North Hills Museum, Granville Ferry
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.
