Port-Royal Habitation


In recognition of Samuel de Champlain.

The first location for French settlement in the Annapolis Royal Basin (directed by explorer Samuel de Champlain, in 1605) was located just north of Goat Island on the Annapolis River's edge. There is a good view of the river - downward, towards the ocean, across to Goat Island, and upriver. I would think that the Habitation, as it was known, housed the military and was protection for the settlers who lived in the immediate area around the Habitation. The fort and settlement were both destroyed by the British in 1613 as part of the ongoing conflict between the English and French.

A note on one of the maps on the Port-Royal page stated that there were remains of a Scot's fort on the same spot, but those remains would have been from between 1620 and 1624, after the original Habitation and settlement had been destroyed.

The pictures I took (on November 12th and 13th, 2015) are all of the exterior since the site was closed. I believe that this site is kind of like a rennaissance fair during the open season, with full access to the interior, which is outfitted with period articles and populated by people in period dress portraying inhabitants of that time.

Most of the pictures were taken on an overcast day. I came back the next day to take a couple more with blue skies.

The weathered appearance is probably true to the original. It only takes about a year or two of sun damage to cause wood to turn grey.

This is a link to a site with pictures and information about this historic site.

All of the pictures are high resolution - click on any one to enlarge.

Looking towards present-day Annapolis Royal.
The view up river, towards the town of Annapolis Royal (extreme left).
Looking towards Goat Island.
Looking across at Goat Island.
Looking towards the ocean passage.
Looking down river, towards the channel to the Bay of Fundy (part of Goat Island on the left).


This file last modified 1/12/2016...

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