L'Anse from Meadows, Newfoundland

L'Anse from Meadows - Viking settlement and fishing village

The small town of L'Anse aux Meadows on the northwest coast of Newfoundland is known primarily for its world-famous archaeological site, where Helge Ingstad and his wife Anne Stine demonstrated that the Viking had actually reached the shores of North America around the year 1000 AD. Today, the fishing village is worth seeing in its own right. Time seems to stand still here.

If you watch the film in the visitor center of the archaeological site, you'll see that this place hasn't been accessible by car for very long. In this documentary, Ingstad carries his wife and newly arrived helpers ashore on the backs of small boats for the excavation work in 1960. The archaeologists had to transport their equipment here by water, just like the Vikings did.

The end of the world

Today, the place in the far northwest of Newfoundland is comfortable over the Viking Trail This is the highway that runs almost its entire length north from Deer Lake along the coast. It passes small villages. Nevertheless, L'Anse Meadows remains at the end of the world to this day. From the shores, where the fishing huts and the few fishermen's houses are located, one can see across to Labrador, which is clearly visible on the other side of the Strait of Belle Isle.

Seagulls drift along the coast in the wind. They evidently lead a life of luxury here, because on the beach we discover the remains of a lobster meal left behind by these winged predators: pieces of lobster shell lie among the rounded, washed pebbles on the shore.

Have a chat

In front of most of the houses, we see well-maintained rowboats in the grass. They wait for their owners to launch them for the next fishing trip. We watch two fishermen mending their nets. For them, it's second nature to leave their work for a moment. They stop for a quick chat with the strangers from overseas. They happily tell us what they're working on and show us how.

A place for families

We don't see any women on our short tour through L'Anse from Meadows. But laundry fluttering in the breeze on the line testifies to their presence. Some of the fishermen's cottages are pretty and imaginatively decorated, indicating that this isn't a man's world. For children, this place is a true paradise. Cars rarely stray here. Growing up here means freedom and plenty of space for discovery and adventure, without having to worry about the dangers and hustle and bustle of the big city.

Have a good meal at L'Anse from Meadows

Our surprise is all the greater when we arrive at the town's only restaurant, the Norseman Restaurant, where we are treated to the region's culinary delights. There are crepes with blueberry syrup and a seafood stew that still makes my mouth water, among other delicious dishes.

Our tip: Don't stop for lunch on your way to L'Anse aux Meadows. Instead, save your hunger for this restaurant. From the large windows of this simple log cabin, on a clear day, you can gaze across the harbor of L'Anse aux Meadows all the way to Labrador. Enjoy a good lunch while you do.

If you want to have enough time for the two Viking attractions, a tour of the town and a leisurely lunch at the Norseman Restaurant, you should plan at least one overnight stay in L'Anse aux Meadows or the surrounding area on your trip through Newfoundland.

More things to know

• Newfoundland, Canada: The Island of Explorers
• Culinary specialties in Newfoundland
• Newfoundland blogs for travel preparation
• Schlosshotel Rosenau for connoisseurs and Freemasons

Source: own research on site. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the support of the Tourism authority. However, our opinion remains our own.

Text: © Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline