In 1680 a single Acadian family established their home in a large meadow or "grand pre" on the shores of the Minas Basin. Over the next 75 years, hardworking Acadian families settling in this bucolic area turned Grand Pré into the province’s largest Acadian community. And then the tragedy of the Deportation turned their world upside down.
 
Longfellow’s poetic heroine Evangeline, separated from her beloved Gabriel by the Deportation of the Acadians, personalized the saga of the Acadian people. A poignant statue of Evangeline stands in silent monument to the Acadian experience outside the village’s tiny church.
 
The National Historic Site is home to an interpretive centre, exhibit hall, theatre and boutique. An on-going excavation of archaeological remains of a pre-Deportation Acadian village spearheaded by Saint Mary’s University is underway on site.

Costumed animators, guided tours, and workshops (learn the secrets of an Acadian garden or how to turn flax into linen) immerse you in the life of this once thriving Acadian village.
 
Resident Artist at Grand Pré for 2007, Georgette Bourgeois is an internationally-respected Acadian painter. An exhibit of eight of her works created especially for Grand Pré National Historic Site, beginning with the painting "L'esprit de Grand-Pré", will be on exhibit during July.
 
August 15th is Acadian Feast Day. There’s free admission for all to this celebration of Acadian culture, music, and history. Join in the grand picnic, games, dance workshops, singalongs and more.