The Acadians on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton
Suddenly the beach road is no longer called Shore Road, but Belle Cote Beach Road. I find the Scottish-Acadian street names Chemin Old Grand Etang Road or Chemin McCarry Road in Saint Joseph du Moine even more beautiful. The villages are no longer as compact as they were before on our drive around Cape Breton Island. The houses are scattered on the hills that slope gently towards the coast. The flower arrangements that we had seen from time to time in the villages of the Scots along the through streets are missing. Instead, a little blue-white-red striped flag blows in the wind, whose blue surface is adorned with a yellow star. We have arrived in the Acadians region on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton.
Who are the Acadians?
A sign on the street explains the surprising change along the Cabot trails: we are in the Acadian region, which stretches from Margaree to St. Joseph du Moine and Cheticamp. The place names indicate that French is spoken here. There are more of them: Belle Côte, Terre Noire, Cap Le Moine, Grand Étang are the names of the tiny villages along this stretch of coast. Acadians live in these places Cabot Trail at Cape Breton.
Academic references:
- The Acadians (The Canadian Encyclopedia)Here you will find detailed information about the history of the Acadians, from their founding in Nova Scotia to their deportation (also known as "Le Grand Dérangement").
- The Canadian Encyclopedia - Acadian Expulsion goes into detail about the deportation of the Acadians, a central event in their history. Here you will find information about how the British authorities dealt with the Acadians and the political tensions that led to the deportation.
Acadians on the Cabot Trail
Several thousand Acadians live in this part of the island on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. A few dozen families once sought refuge in the hinterland, where they hoped to escape British troops and not be deported like other members of their ethnic group in the year 1755, Only later did her descendants venture down to the coast. The seclusion in this area allowed them to maintain their lifestyles.
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Even when we drive through the region, we notice differences: the villages look different. They work together, as if the houses were built randomly into the landscape. A real village center can hardly be seen. Advertising signs for the nearest souvenir shop are suddenly in French, and the obligatory Acadian flags are usually the only decoration in front of the houses. That makes me curious. The Acadians on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton have their own lifestyle.
The language of the Acadians
The Acadians on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton speak their own language: their French is different from what is spoken in Quebec. It is influenced by the proximity of the sea, “you don't get into the car here”. Instead, nautical terms are used: “on embarque un voiture”, one “goes on board”. The pronunciation is also different: you can still hear that their language comes from Aunis, Saint-Onge or Poitou, the places in western France from which their ancestors immigrated to Canada.
This has to be in the suitcase for hikes on the Cabot Trail
- When hiking we wear solid hiking boots, They also are good on uneven paths.
- On a hike you need a backpackin which you will find drinks, snacks, a jacket and odds and ends.
- Check our hiking checklistwhether you have packed everything you need for your hike.
- Use our checklist for a beach vacation and pack everything you need for a swim in the suitcase.
Certain terms such as "boucane" (smoke) or "mashkoui" (birch bark) have been adopted by the Micmac Indians. Due to the proximity of Scottish settlements, there are always terms that they have integrated into their own language from there, creating a strange mixture of old French, Indian elements and Scottish-English terms. You have to listen to the language of the Acadians on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton.
Sights along the Cabot Trail
Arts and crafts of the Acadians on Cabot Trail in Cape Breton
Finally, we can watch carpet weaving, a typical regional craft, in a souvenir shop, where a woman patiently pulls thick wool threads through a burlap canvas stretched tightly over a wooden frame. "I have to make sure that the image looks good on both the front and the back," she explains to us in English with a strong French accent. And she allows us to watch her at work and take photos of her. This form of embroidered carpet is common. The Acadians on the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton have perfected the production.
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"This is the old style of carpets that I make here," she says. "Nowadays you see more wool carpets than those that are woven on sackcloth." Her work has an almost hypnotic effect on me, the way she patiently and precisely pulls her wool threads through the small holes, always making sure that they are within the boundaries of her drawn pattern. Completing a carpet like this takes a lot of patience and effort. But she doesn't let our questions distract her from her concentration and continues working undeterred.
Traditions and Festivals of the Acadians
- Acadian Day (August 15): This event begins with a mass at the Church of Saint-Pierre and then features musical performances, traditional food and a lively party at the Doryman Pub. It is an important holiday that celebrates the rich Acadian culture and history.
Information about Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Cabot Trail attractions
- Choose from 26 hiking trails of varying difficulty levels in Cape Breton Highlands National Park along the Cabot Trail. The complete selection of hiking trails here.
- Some of the most spectacular views in Nova Scotia can be found on this website.
How to Best Experience Acadian Culture
To experience the authentic Acadians of Cape Breton, there is no way around music and dance. Go to one of the Ceilidh festivals, which often take place, especially in summer. Here you can experience the living tradition of the Acadians, hear their music and see their dances.
It is worth taking a tour of the Les Trois Pignons in Chéticamp The museum not only shows the history of the Acadians, but also the traditional art of carpet weaving.
If you want to delve deeper into the story, visit Grand Pré in Nova Scotia. It is just a short drive from Cape Breton and explains the expulsion of the Acadians in the 18th century. Take the opportunity to chat with the locals. Local people love to share stories about their ancestors and traditions.
Drive the Cabot Trail to enjoy the landscape that has shaped the Acadians for generations.
This excursion has led us to a new Journey through Nova Scotia in the footsteps of the Acadians and their way of life. Certainly an interesting topic, and there is still more to discover.
Do you know this?
Travel Arrangements:
Parking at the airport
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Arrival:
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Hotels:
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Source: own research on site. We would definitely like to thank Tourism Nova Scotia and Destination Cape Breton for the kind invitation to this trip. However, our opinions remain our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs (co-author of the travel guide Canada East by Iwanowski) and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs as well as TravelWorldOnline and Unsplash
