Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island - page 126

French Shore. This is where Acadians settled when, after trekking back to Nova Scotia
following deportation, they found their homesteads in the Annapolis Valley already occu-
pied. Now linked by Hwy 1 - pretty much the only road in town - these are small fishing
communities.
Sights & Activities
Rendez-Vous de la Baie CULTURAL BUILDING
( www.rendezvousdelabaie.com ; Université Ste-Anne, Church Point; 7am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Sat & Sun) If there's one essential stop along this coast, this is it. Learn about Acadian his-
tory and culture at the museum; check out local art at the gallery; watch musical per-
formances and more at the theater; and get tourist tips at the information center - and all
this is under one roof. The center also runs Acadian-themed tours of the area for $50 per
person including lunch.
Église Ste-Marie CHURCH
( 902-769-2808; Hwy 1; admission incl guide $2; 9am-5pm May-Oct) The town of Church
Point, also commonly known as Pointe de l'Église, takes its name from Église Ste-Marie,
which towers over the town. Built between 1903 and 1905, the church is said to be the
tallest wooden church in North America. An informative guide will show you around.
Adjacent is the Université Ste-Anne , the only French university in the province and a
center for Acadian culture, with 300 students.
Belliveau Beach BEACH
Belliveau Beach, near the southern end of Belliveau, is reached by turning right onto Ma-
jor's Point. The beach is made up of masses of sea-polished stones broken only by small
clumps of incredibly hardy fir trees. Just behind the beach, a cemetery and monument re-
call the struggles of the early Acadian settlers of the French Shore.
St Bernard Church CHURCH
( 902-837-5637; Hwy 1; tours Jun-Sep) St Bernard is known for its church, a huge gran-
ite structure built by locals who added one row of blocks each year between 1910 and
1942. It has incredible acoustics, which are showcased each summer through the
Musique St-Bernard ( www.musiquesaintbernard.ca ; adult/child $15/5) concert series.
Hinterland Adventures & Gear KAYAKING