Port-Royal National Historic Site of Canada

On-line Guided Tour

What you see on the site

As you arrive at Port-Royal National Historic Site, you will notice that the parking lot is in the forefront, washrooms are in the brick building adjacent to the parking lot, the picnic area is to the left, and the Habitation is about 150 metres (500 feet) west of the parking area. Once you've parked your vehicle and read the introductory panel, we can go exploring together.

Two routes lead to the admission kiosk. One route follows the dirt roadway to the left of the washrooms; let's take the crushed stone pathway to the right and explore a bit. As you walk through the trees that surround the washrooms, imagine the forest that would have stood here in the early 17th century.

As you emerge from the trees, to the left stands the monument honouring Membertou, one of the great Mi'kmaq chiefs. Membertou was chief of the Port-Royal area at the time the French built the original Habitation. Along with his people, he helped the French adapt and survive in Acadia. The monument was erected in 1985 to mark the 375th anniversary of the baptism of Membertou and his family into the Catholic faith in 1610.

You may notice there are numerous small evergreen trees sprouting in the field to the right of the pathway. These trees will eventually create a screen to shelter the Port-Royal Habitation from modern intrusions. The trees were planted by local Boy Scouts. The large wooden cross you see to the left of the pathway marks the existence, and one of the possible locations, of the burial ground at the Port-Royal Habitation. Records show that Chief Membertou was buried in the Port-Royal cemetery.

There is a fork in the path as it nears the Habitation. We will take to the left down to the admission kiosk.

As you enter the Habitation, note the painted standard over the entrance bearing the coat of arms of Henri IV, King of France when the Habitation was built in 1605. The coats of arms of the two governors, Sieur de Mons and Sieur de Poutrincourt, are also above the doorway.

Upon entering, we see a series of self-contained working and living areas surrounding an interior courtyard that has a well in the centre. The steep pitched roofs are typical of the Norman architecture of the period. The large fieldstone chimneys draw the smoke from the fireplaces. How does the structure before you compare with the copy of Champlain's drawing that you saw on the introductory panel?

There are many rooms to explore. We'll go look at a few to give you a feel for the Habitation and you can explore the others when you visit in person.