PORT OF CHOICE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

This national historic site pays tribute to this town, which is the most important site of occupation in North America of the Maritime Archaic natives, whose cemeteries were found to be 4,500 years old. It is also the site of the Paleo-Eskimo of the Dorset and Groswater cultures, which belong to a different civilization and from which more recent remains (200 to 600 AD) have been found, particularly carved stones and bones.

Europeans should also not be forgotten, beginning with the Vikings who briefly occupied L'Anse aux Meadows just to the north about 1000 years ago. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Basques came to fish along the west coast of Newfoundland where they named many sites, including Port au Choix. From 1713 (Treaty of Utrecht signed between the French and English) to 1904, the French continued to enjoy the right to fish in the Port au Choix area and much of the northwest coast.

To get to the heart of the matter, several activities are offered during the season, including a guided tour of the limestone barrens, home to coastal fossils and unique arctic plants. Another hands-on program is devoted entirely to the seals that have frequented this fertile coastline for over 3,000 years. It is recommended that you allow at least two hours to visit the historic site in order to explore all the archaeological treasures. Hiking trails on site.