Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SCENIC DRIVE: THE ACADIAN PENINSULA
Take a run out to the very northeastern tip of the province - a chain of low, flat is-
lands pointing across the Gulf of St Lawrence to Labrador. Rte 113 cuts across salt
marsh and scrub arriving first in Shippagan, home of the province's largest fishing
fleet, where crab is king. Visit the sea creatures at the
Aquarium & Marine Centre
(
www.aquariumnb.ca
;
100 Aquarium St; adult/child $8.50/5.50; 10am-6pm Jul-Sep)
. Kids will
love the touch tanks full of sea creatures, and the seals (fed at 11am and 4pm).
Hop the bridge to Lamèque, a tidy fishing village that has hosted the
Lamèque In-
ternational Baroque Festival
( 800-320-2276, 506-344-5846;
www.festivalbaroque.com
;
late Jul)
for over 30 years. Note the red, white and blue Acadian flags flying from
nearly every porch. Rte 113 continues north to Miscou Island. Stop to walk the
boardwalk trail over a cranberry bog before the road dead-ends at the lighthouse.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Caraquet
The oldest of the Acadian villages, Caraquet was founded in 1757 by refugees from for-
cibly abandoned homesteads further south. It's now the quiet, working-class center of the
peninsula's French community. Caraquet's colorful, bustling fishing port, off Blvd St-Pi-
erre Est, has an assortment of moored vessels splashing at the dock. East and West Blvd
St-Pierre are divided at Rue le Portage.
The tourist office and all of the local tour operators are found at the
Carrefour de la
Mer
complex, with its Day Adventure Centre, restaurant and views down on the water-
front near the fishing harbor.
Sights
Acadian Historic Village
HISTORIC PARK
(
www.villagehistoriqueacadien.com
;
14311 Hwy 11; adult/student/family $17.50/15.50/42;
10am-6pm Jun-Sep)
Acadian Historic Village, 15km west of Caraquet, is a major historical
reconstruction set up like a village of old. Thirty-three original buildings relocated to the
site and animators in period costumes reflect life from 1780 to 1880. A good three to
four hours is required. To eat there are old-fashioned sit-down Acadian meals at La Table
des Ancêtres, the 1910 historical menu at the Château Albert dining room, and several
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