The Acadian Peninsula is the ideal location to enjoy a wide variety of fun, high-calibre cultural activities. This region, located in northeastern New Brunswick, comprises several municipalities.
Caraquet is one the area’s coastal municipalities known for its rich and vibrant Acadian culture. Its economy is fueled largely by the fishing, agricultural, forestry, mining, and tourism industries. The town of Caraquet counts several fish processing plants and naval shipyards; it is also home to the CCNB – Acadian Peninsula.
The Village Historique Acadien is the region’s primary tourist attraction. The Pope’s Museum in Grande-Anse also attracts many tourists. The region’s beaches, including those in Grande-Anse, Maisonnette, and Caraquet, are quite popular with visitors.
The region hosts several large-scale events that draw huge crowds every year, among which the Festival acadien, an event that has been celebrated every August for more than 40 years now and the famous “Tintamarre,” held every August 15 to mark National Acadian Day. For its part, the Atlantic Visual Arts Festival draws artists from all over New Brunswick, across Canada, and other countries as well.
Caraquet is home to l’Acadie Nouvelle, New Brunswick’s only French-language daily, the Fédération des Caisses populaires acadiennes, a major credit union, and finally, the Théâtre populaire d’Acadie.
Lamèque and Shippagan rank among the largest commercial fishing centres in New Brunswick. The peat moss industry also plays an important role in the region’s economy.
The Université de Moncton, Shippagan campus, and the Shippagan Aquarium and Marine Centre, which provides habitat for a host of marine species, are among the region’s star attractions and services.
On the cultural front, Lamèque is host to the International Baroque Music Festival and home of the Dina-Bélanger Sanctuary. For its part, Shippagan is host to the Provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Festival.
While it may be small, Miscou Island offers plenty of breathing landscapes.
Regardless of where you are in the region, be it Lamèque, Shippagan, Miscou, or Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël, the coast boasts miles of beautiful sandy beaches.
For its part, the Village of Paquetville’s economy relies heavily on the maple product and logging industries, work in the mining and fish processing sectors, the textile industry and on various construction and manufacturing businesses.
The Town of Tracadie-Sheila is considered the commercial hub of the Acadian Peninsula with its wide range of retail businesses, as well as federal and provincial government offices. The region is also known for its large scope of outdoor activities, vibrant nightlife and numerous nightclubs, making it a “hot spot” for both tourists and locals.
On the cultural front, each summer the Town of Tracadie-Sheila closes its streets to traffic for the art exhibit appropriately named “La Ruée vers l’Art.” The Société culturelle des Tracadilles has also been active in the region for a number of years.
Nature lovers can participate in a host of activities throughout the entire Acadian Peninsula, including walking, biking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
The Chaleur region, located along the shores of the Baie of Chaleur, comprises Bathurst, Beresford, Nigadoo, Petit-Rocher and Pointe-Verte. Approximately 70% of the population is francophone and 30% is anglophone. The region’s economy is supported by several important resource industries, with fishing and mining ranking as most important. The Baie of Chaleur boasts several lakes and rivers, including the majestic Nepisiguit River.
The City of Bathurst, which is considered to be the industrial and commercial hub of northern New Brunswick, houses many government offices and agencies. The region has a regional airport and a New Brunswick Community College campus, where students can enroll in trade and technology courses. Postsecondary programs are also offered locally through the Université de Moncton and the University of New Brunswick, such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the continuing education courses.
The Town of Beresford is famed for its warm hospitality and its significant number of residential industries. In fact, it was once dubbed the “Housing Capital” of the region. Besides its essential services, the town has a wide range of recreational infrastructures and activities, including the Réal-Boudreau Centre (arena) and the Sportek-Curling Centre. The “Carnaval du siffleux,” the annual Industrial and Commercial Trade Show, and a host of beach activities, are but some of the many attractions the town has to offer. While most of the residents in Beresford are francophone, a great number of them are fluent in both official languages.
The Chaleur region also comprises the coastal Village of Petit-Rocher. Well known for its vitality, Petit-Rocher houses a few offices, including the “Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick,” the “Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau Brunswick” and the “Société des Jeux de l’Acadie.” The first “Caisse populaire acadienne” (credit union) was founded in Petit-Rocher. The “Festival des Rameurs,” and Acadian Day celebrations (held August 15), are an integral part of the cultural aspect of this village.
In Petit-Rocher, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the tourist park, with its long stretch of beach and picnic area. The Mines and Minerals Interpretation Centre of New Brunswick, located in Petit-Rocher, provides a great opportunity to gain exposure to the world of mining in New Brunswick.
Nigadoo is a small village known for the warmth of its residents, its rich history and its tourist accommodations. This municipality provides a variety of services.
The Village of Pointe-Verte has a wharf that can accommodate some thirty or so fishing vessels – a sure sign that fishing plays an important role in this community’s economy. With its wide array of winter and summer activities, Atlas Park Tourism Centre is a definite must for nature lovers.
The Chaleur region is an adventure and discovery destination. A host of attractions and a warm, hospitable welcome await you in the Chaleur region…