Port Royal National Historic Site – In the Footsteps of Champlain
French explorer Samuel de Champlain established Port Royal in 1604, making
it the oldest European settlement in Canada. This was three years before
the founding of Jamestown, 
Virginia. The complex consisted of a trading
room, separate gentlemen’s and artisans’ quarters, c common room, forge,
kitchen and chapel, all surrounding a large courtyard. While the fortified
structure disappeared with time, the French settlers, called “Acadians”,
flourished in the area until their expulsion by the British in 1755. The
shoreline of the Annapolis River is still largely defined by the diked
fields the Acadians created.
The Canadian government reconstructed Port Royal in 1939. The buildings, furniture and fittings you will see when you visit are faithful reproduction , built with authentic period techniques following the original layout of the buildings.
Your visit will begin as you drive along the Annapolis Basin. Passing through historic Annapolis Royal, you will pass Fort Anne, formerly the seat of government for old Acadie and later the province of Nova Scotia. Continuing over the causeway crossing the Annapolis River, you will pass a 18megawatt tidal power station, the only one in North America.
At the Habitation you will be met by costumed interpreters who will bring the region’s history alive as they recreate the daily lives of the traders. You will be entertained with food and period music following the tour, although the flavours will be adjusted for modern preferences from the more robust tastes favoured by seventeenth century Europeans!
Access: Most areas area wheelchair accessible. Some second floor rooms are only accessible by stairs, as are the gun platform and palisade. The parking lot is paved and is about 500’ from the entrance.
Time: Departure from dock: 10:30am
Duration: 5 hours