Grand-Pré

Grand-Pré is a small town in the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia. The town is mostly known for the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Landscape of Grand Pré. Grand-Pré is also Canada's first designated Historic Rural District.

Understand

The Memorial Church in Grand-Pré

The village was founded in 1682 and quickly became the breadbasket and principal town of Acadia. It was later abandoned by the colonial government because it was too far from Port-Royal. It was ravaged in 1704 and fell to the British in 1713, the village became a victim to the struggle for control of North America. It briefly returned to French control following the 1747 Battle of Grand-Pré with the population deported by the British in the fall of 1755. New England Planters settled in the village from 1760.

Today, Grand-Pré is a small village that has become a national historic site, celebrating its history and heritage, considered by many to be the historical and spiritual heart of Acadia. The site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 30 June 2012.

Get in

The village of Grand-Pré is served by Route 1 and Highway 101. The Windsor & Hantsport Railway also passes through the village.

See

• 1 Grand-Pré National Historic Site, 2205 Grand-Pré Road (east on Route 1 (Foolscap Trail/Evangeline Trail), then left/north on Grand-Pré Road), ☏ +1 902 542-3631, toll-free: +1-866-542-3631. Mid-May 17 to mid-Oct: daily 9AM-5PM. This UNESCO World Heritage Site tells the story of Le grand dérangement (the deportation of the Acadian people by the British 1755–1764) through engaging multimedia. Adult $9.00, senior $7.75, youth and children free. (updated Jan 2024)

Do

• 1 Evangeline Beach. A famous stopover for thousands of migrating shore birds and is also a fine vantage point for watching the ebb and flow of the world's highest tides. (updated Apr 2022)

Eat

• 1 Just Us! Coffee & Tea House, 11865 Highway 1, ☏ +1 902-697-4225. 8AM–6PM. (updated Jan 2022)

Drink

• 1 Domaine de Grand-Pré, 11611 Highway 1, ☏ +1 902-542-1753 ext 3. One of Nova Scotia's best known wineries. Restaurant and inn open in the summer from mid-April. (updated Apr 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Rayski Guest House, 211 Old Post Rd, ☏ +1 902-300-3123. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 The Old Lantern Inn and Vineyard, 11575 Highway 1, ☏ +1 902-542-1389. (updated Jan 2022)
• 3 Land of Evangeline Camping Resort, 84 Evangeline Beach Road. (updated Apr 2022)
• Grand-Pré National Historic Site. oTENTik glamping tent $133.25/night. (updated Jan 2024)