Nova Scotia - Annapolis Royal - Fort Anne

Fort Anne was originally a Scottish settlement built near the ruins of a French fur trading post and the native Mi'kmaq peoples. The Mi'kmaq peoples fought alongside the French and later Acadian peoples as they tolerated limited French settlements near their land. The area was abandoned by the Scots and re-settled by the French Government. The vauban style earthworks, seen via aerial view (actually a picture of a postcard) were started in 1702. It was taken by the British in 1710 and was attacked thirteen times and changed hands seven times. Up to 70 buildings were present in the fort during its height of importance. The town of Annapolis Royal lies just behind it.

 Here is the fort, with my nephew for scale, and the officer's quarters as the sole remaining main building. It was originally built in 1797 and refurbished in the 1930's.

 As you can see, the vauban earthworks would be very hard to climb with full kit, especially when being fired upon. Plus the shape of them allow for overlapping arcs of fire.

 This French cannon was left behind.

 It bears an impressive coat of arms and other adornments.

 This is a side view of the seaward side. The trees are probably from when the fort fell into disuse after the war of 1812 with the Americans. The town of Annapolis Royal was raided by American Privateers and driven off the first time but the troops were deployed elsewhere and the town was raided a second time.

 Here my nephew is trying to scale the earthworks. Easy in summer clothes and sneakers when taking his time.

 This is a view looking out on the seaward side.

 This is a view from the outer earthworks looking out on Annapolis Basin. Just beyond the island in the top middle of the picture you head right to get to the Bay of Fundy. The British had small forts on either side of the entrance to the basin at one time.

 Here is a view of the town of Annapolis Royal, on the opposite side of the inlet to the Annapolis river.

 Here is a reconstruction of the magazine. Another awesome thing about the Fort Anne site is everything except the museum is free. That's right...free.

 Here is a model of the blockhouse that was torn down in the late 1800's by the custodian of the site. I was made out of the wood retrieved from that same blockhouse.

 In the museum they have an extensive history of the area and Fort. They also have cool costumes that you can try on and pose. Please excuse the wild collared shirt sticking out. It definitely was not period French.

 Here is an excellent model made of the fort during its building of the earthworks in the early 1700's by the French. Sorry about the glare.

 The white flag was used by the French Marines and not as a flag of surrender at the time.

I had been coming here since I was very young and always like to revisit. Its fun in the winter time with a crazy carpet or toboggan. The Fort Anne site is the oldest National Park, established in 1917.

If you're in the area, at any time of year, come down and enjoy. The museum is only open during the main summer months.