Grand Pré National Historic Site
Grand Pré National Historic Site
Grand Pré National Historic Site
4.5
About
At Grand-Pre, get to know the Acadians, Nova Scotia's early French settlers. Theirs is a story of pioneer life, tragedy, and triumphant survival. This commemorative site was the heart of the 17th and 18th century Acadian village that became the scenic setting for Longfellow's narative poem Evangeline. A Visitor Reception and Interpretation Centre opened in September 2003 with new interpretation exhibits and a multimedia theater. Take time to walk in the superb flower gardens and admire the beautiful scenery. You will be charmed by the natural beauty of the surroundings.
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- francofile104122 contributionsGreat rendering of a sad storyI'm glad we visited this site. The visitors center does a good job of education about what happened. However, if you are not into history, you might be underwhelmed. There isn't much to see since it was all burned down. That's part of what there is to "see!" The exhibits show how the land was transformed from salt marsh into farm land.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten September 19, 2023
- AaronKananaskis Country, Canada36 contributionsAn essential piece of Canadian historyGrand Pre was a impactful experience for me. We learned so much about Acadian history, which was both compelling and, unfortunately, quite sad. The Grand Pre site is beautiful and engaging, and I'm so thankful that Parks Canada sponsors such a site. Everyone should come and learn more about such an important part of Canadian history.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 7, 2024
- James TLafayette, Louisiana200 contributionsThibodeaux visit to ancestral site.We had a Thibodeau(x) Reunion in Canada and visited this site as a large family group. It is always emotional for us since our ancestors were among the Acadians deported during the 1700’s. The site and museum are very well done and the grounds are beautifully kept. We learned that some old foundations of Acadian homes were recently found with ground penetrating radar. Looking forward to see if these areas are explored further by archeologists.Visited August 2024Travelled with friendsWritten August 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
469 reviews
Excellent
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Average
21
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4
Robert B
Cary, NC221 contributions
Aug 2022
We were both so glad we chose to see this site with a guided tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and answered every question we had with a clearly deep well of knowledge about the site, its history and the history of the Acadians and their deportation. We did get lucky that there was just the 2 of us on the tour too. I would highly recommend this site and tour such an integral part of the history of Canada.
Written August 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina
Saint John, Canada197 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
A wonderful site to visit. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. Don’t forget to buy your yearly pass to ensure you can visit all the national historic sites in the area!
The displays inside the main building are highly informative and the kids booklet kept them occupied!
The walk to the church and the beautiful gardens could keep you busy for at least two hours- it was a bit wet during our visit so our time enjoying the garden was short.
Highly recommend this stop!
The displays inside the main building are highly informative and the kids booklet kept them occupied!
The walk to the church and the beautiful gardens could keep you busy for at least two hours- it was a bit wet during our visit so our time enjoying the garden was short.
Highly recommend this stop!
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
c0verdale
Riverview, Canada1,123 contributions
Aug 2020
Created to commemorate the Grand-Pré area of Nova Scotia as a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755, at this Unesco World Heritage site you will learn all about the Acadian culture, history as well as the expulsion of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762.
The visitor center offers a short video explaining the story of the Acadians and there is also a small interpretive center, and then you can wonder around the beautiful grounds which also contain a Memorial Church containing several displays, statue of Evangeline and a recreated Black Smith Shop. The grounds are well kept / beautiful.
A very important piece of history that I highly recommend visiting if you're in the area.
The visitor center offers a short video explaining the story of the Acadians and there is also a small interpretive center, and then you can wonder around the beautiful grounds which also contain a Memorial Church containing several displays, statue of Evangeline and a recreated Black Smith Shop. The grounds are well kept / beautiful.
A very important piece of history that I highly recommend visiting if you're in the area.
Written November 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary F
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada264 contributions
Aug 2022
Really beautiful spot. Highly educational as well. I learned so much about the story of the Acadians. I highly recommend that you watch the video before you walk through the grounds, just so you will have a full understanding of the history of the Acadians. Staff was very friendly and professional. Lots of photo ops. Make sure you check out the church. it is beautiful inside.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron
Kananaskis Country, Canada36 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Grand Pre was a impactful experience for me. We learned so much about Acadian history, which was both compelling and, unfortunately, quite sad. The Grand Pre site is beautiful and engaging, and I'm so thankful that Parks Canada sponsors such a site. Everyone should come and learn more about such an important part of Canadian history.
Written August 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G W
Toronto, Canada613 contributions
Jun 2022
Canada Parks has made this an amazing site bringing their knowledge to life to help people learn and important part of our history to not be forgotten. Entrance to the gardens are free but there is a fee to the buildings. Make sure you take the 20 minutes to watch the video in the main building
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DisneyDarwin
Spring, TX1,155 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We didn’t know what to expect, but the little museum was terrific and the grounds were gorgeous. It’s all about the good and bad for the Acadian people who unfortunately suffered greatly. They were also quite some engineers! Don’t miss the lovely church on the ground, which has even more beautiful artifact.
Written September 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James T
Lafayette, LA200 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
We had a Thibodeau(x) Reunion in Canada and visited this site as a large family group. It is always emotional for us since our ancestors were among the Acadians deported during the 1700’s. The site and museum are very well done and the grounds are beautifully kept. We learned that some old foundations of Acadian homes were recently found with ground penetrating radar. Looking forward to see if these areas are explored further by archeologists.
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MyrtleAnn
Halifax, Canada59 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Unfortunately the site was closed but they do allow you to walk around and take in the scenery. There a number of interpretive plaques which provide some assistance. The grounds themselves are stunning and trees are spectacular. There was a crew there readying the place for opening later this week. Will certainly come back when all the facilities are open.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline R
Ottawa, Canada51 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Beautiful spot, the center had closed for the year when we visited however we were still able to walk around. The location was stunning due to the fall Colours being at peak. There are very old large trees onsite, the church was hosting a wedding this day. Hope to return when open to learn more about the history associated with this site.
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How can you get to the historic site from Wolfville if you have no car? Is there a bus? This is our rest day between biking days of 60km and 80 km. We'd like not to bike!
Written July 3, 2024
How long does it take to see the site?
Written July 6, 2022
how long does it take to see the site
Written July 6, 2022
You can take as little time or as long. Unfortunately, we arrived at 4:30 pm and they closed at 5. So we managed to catch the 20 minute historical film (which you need to watch to understand what happened). And the rest of the time, we spent outside walking around but really didn't do it justice. The church closes at 4:30 pm so you should get there latest around 2 pm so that you can spend 2-3 hours there.
Written July 7, 2022
We are LeBlanc' s from Louisiana and my husband is a descendant of one of the families deported from Nova Scotia.
We plan a visit to Grand Pre when our cruise ship is docked in Halifax on Sept. 1!
Let us know your ideas for other places nearby and lunch spot..
Lois and Stan LeBlanc
Written July 22, 2015
Wolfville located near Grand Pre and nice place to visit. If you arrive there by car you could drive to Hall's Harbour (Gulf of Fundy) to watch biggest water tides in the world depends of moon phase 10-12 meters between low and high water. Local Hall's Harbour Lobster Pound sea food restaurant offer fresh lobsters and fish.
Written July 25, 2015
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