First published: 30/06/22.

Els Slots 1.5

Grand Pré

Grand Pré (Inscribed)

Grand Pré by Els Slots

Nowadays this is mostly a Place of Remembrance for the Acadian people, who were forcefully evicted from their lands in 1755. No expense has been spared for a rather grandiose visitor center, a rebuilt church and surrounding gardens. Upon entering the visitor center, I was immediately stimulated to go and see the 20min video, which is being played in the theatre. It tells the story of how the Acadians were chased from their land. It left me with a weird feeling – it's like a propaganda film.

The World Heritage area is larger than this alone (and free to visit): it includes farmland in the polder, a wooden church from 1861 founded by the British Planters who subsequently cultivated the land, and a memorial to both the Acadians and the Planters at Horton Landing. By car I drove past all these locations, they are only a few kilometers apart.

All original buildings were burned by the British colonists. The picture shows the Acadian Cross at Horton Landing, the location from which the Acadians had to leave by boat. This visual perspective, with Cape Blomidon in the distance, is actually part of the World Heritage values. I have never seen “viewsheds” as this displayed so explicitly on a WH map.

Like most others, I rate this site very low. It should never have been inscribed. I have no problem with the descendants of the Acadians wanting to commemorate this place, but its universal value is lost on me.

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