HISTORIC ACADIAN VILLAGE

The Village historique acadien in Bertrand, near Caraquet, is a veritable time machine. Like an amusement park, the Village has a huge parking lot, cash registers at the entrance and a gift store, but the experience quickly draws visitors into a whirlwind of history and memory that will leave a lasting impression. Inaugurated in 1977, the Village tells the story of the descendants of the French men and women who crossed the Atlantic in the early ^17th century and settled in the region, making up the oldest French-speaking people in North America, the Acadians. This living museum features homes, farms, businesses, church, school and more, but in versions dating from 1770 to 1949. It doesn't take long for visitors to find themselves totally immersed with the local inhabitants, as they take a short cart ride, visit a farm or make sheep's wool clothing using period tools. The actors are at ease in their roles, carrying out everyday tasks while answering the many questions of visitors, who are often confused by finding themselves between reality and fiction. Interpreters in period costumes bring ancestral customs and traditional trades to life, before the astonished eyes of young and old alike. The village stretches over 2.2 km, and visitors can observe the construction of a house, enter a farmhouse at mealtime and watch a family having lunch, attend a children's class or watch the village newspaper being printed on machines from another age. A restaurant serving typical Acadian fare offers a gourmet break from high-quality ancestral dishes (there's also a café-bistro at the visitor center and a bar at the hotel). After crossing the chronologically themed park, you arrive at the beginning of the railroad and the first cars. The Hôtel Château Albert (no telephone or TV) is open to visitors wishing to extend their immersion in the heart of the park. Note that the admission ticket entitles the holder to two days on the site during the opening season. It's also possible to take a themed guided tour of the Village (fees extra, reservation required). Plan to spend at least half a day on site, if not more, to get the most out of your visit. Program of activities and events as well. On-site boutiques.