The Acadian Heritage Tour

Alan & Durline Melanson, Historians & Tour Guides

The Acadian Heritage Tour in Annapolis Royal is great for anyone who has Acadian heritage or interested in Acadian history. Heck, even if you know nothing about the Acadians but like to have fun then I recommend this tour. You will learn a lot about their culture partly by participating in Acadian dances and singing Acadian songs.

The tour is sponsored by the Historical Association of Annapolis Royal. This walking tour is guided by two of the best; Alan Melanson and his wife Durline. Alan is a tenth generation Acadian whose ancestors founded the nearby Melanson Settlement. They both have a love of history and 26 years experience as tour guides.

I decided to try the Acadian Heritage Tour myself one day and I am only sorry that I had not gone on it sooner; it was a lot of fun!

We gathered at the Annapolis Royal lighthouse for 2 p.m. when our guides arrived. I did not think at first there were many there for the tour, but by the time we started we had about 15 participants. It was a little cool and overcast this day so I was surprised so many had showed up. But I have been told the number taking the Acadian Heritage Tour varies sometimes on a really nice day they have several more than this.

We walked next to the very shores where the Acadians

The Lighthouse in Annapolis Royal      

first landed in this new world and then we followed along routes many Acadians had walked years before. We toured the Fort Anne National Historic Park which had been capital to both the French and English at one time. Did you know this was the most fought after piece of land in Canada?

Next we went to see where the remains of a wharf, the wharf where 1664 Acadians who had been forced to leave their homes had been deported. We learned their sad story and the interesting story of Alan's own ancestors during this time and the hardships they went through and how it happened that Alan and his brother found their way back to this area.

Also of interest close to here is the site where the house used to be where a history book was written by Thomas Chandler Halliburton (December 17, 1796 – August 27, 1865). This history book was the first history book of Nova Scotia and was used as reference by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 - March 24, 1882) for his epic poem

  The Remains of the Queen's Wharf in Annapolis Royal

"Evangeline". Unfortunately the house is no longer there, but there is a plaque commemorating Halliburton and his work there.

After our tour of the area we arrived back to the lighthouse but our afternoon was not over. Here Alan & Durline told us more stories, one interesting one was their own modern Acadian love story. What a beautiful story, with such a happy ending. Did you know that on Valentine's Day, 1997 they were selected by the Chronicle Herald as one of the provinces three "Most Romantic Couples".

Then the music started, Acadian music and they taught us the words so we could sing along to some of the songs. Next we were all dancing, Acadian dances right there on the lawn! It all was so much fun and very informative.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot something. Have you ever heard of "Rappi Pie" It is a true Acadian dish that is still made by many people around here. We learned all about this special dish and how to make it.

To finish off the Acadian Heritage Tour we were each given a free Acadian Heritage booklet as a keepsake. In it there were lots of fun facts, recipes and traditional dances.

If you are interested in going on the Acadian Heritage Tour just show up at the lighthouse on St. George Street in Annapolis Royal. This tour goes on every Tuesday and Friday between the middle of June until the middle of September. It starts at 2:00 p.m. and last a couple hours. To find out more or to see how much it cost you may visit the Tour Annapolis Royal Website.

Leave the Acadian Heritage Tour Page to go look at other great Guided Tours in Annapolis Valley