Annapolis Royal Attractions
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.
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.
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Fort Anne National Historic Site
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.
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Habitation Port-Royal
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.
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.
Hours
May 15 to October 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
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.
All values are in Canada Dollars
The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens are divided by theme to represent different historical eras.
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
Box 278
Annapolis Royal, NS B0S1A0
Canada
Box 278
Annapolis Royal, NS B0S1A0
Canada
Phone 1 (902) 532-7018
Fax 1 (902) 532-7445
Hours
May 10 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset |
September 1 to October 12
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Family | $ 17.25 |
| Adult | $ 7.75 |
| Students | $ 6.75 |
| Senior over 60 | $ 6.75 |
| Child 6 & under | FREE |
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
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.
All values are in Canada Dollars
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.
O'Dell Inn
136 St George Street
Annapolis Royal, NS B0S1A0
Canada
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
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
September 6 to May 24
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Family | $ 7.00 |
| Adult | $ 3.00 |
| Senior | $ 2.00 |
| Child 6-17 | $ 2.00 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Annapolis Royal Surroundings
Granville Ferry - North Hills Museum, Canada
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.
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.
North Hills Museum
5065 Granville Road
Granville Ferry, NS B0S1K0
Canada
5065 Granville Road
Granville Ferry, NS B0S1K0
Canada
Phone 1 (902) 532-2168
Fax 1 (902) 532-7707
Hours
June 1 to October 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 13:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:30 |
Loyalist Houses
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.