Annapolis Royal
A town fought over more than any other in North America, with a fort that changed hands seven times.
Updated 19 October 2026
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Port-Royal was founded nearby in 1605 and the settlement moved to this site in 1636; the fort here was besieged and captured repeatedly by French, English, Scottish and New England forces, more often than any other place in North America, before falling finally to the British in 1710 and being renamed for Queen Anne. Fort Anne is Canada's oldest National Historic Site, with earthworks and an officers' quarters of 1797. The Historic Gardens cover about seven hectares in themed sections including an Acadian house and dykeland. The town has around five hundred residents and a large heritage district.
History
The Mi'kmaq called the place Nme'juaqnek, the place of bountiful fish, and Port Royal was founded nearby in 1605 by Pierre Dugua, François Gravé Du Pont and Samuel de Champlain, the first year-round European settlement in Canada; in August 1629 Scottish settlers under Sir William Alexander built Charles Fort on the site of today's Fort Anne, handed to France in 1632. Raided and taken repeatedly by English and New England forces, it changed hands seven times and withstood thirteen sieges before the British took it for good in 1710, renaming it for Queen Anne, and it was the capital of Nova Scotia until Halifax replaced it in 1749 (Wikipedia, Annapolis Royal).
What's there
- Fort Anne - Canada's oldest National Historic Site, with star-shaped earthworks.
- The Historic Gardens - seven hectares including Acadian dykeland reconstruction.
- The heritage streets - a large district of eighteenth and nineteenth-century houses.
- The tidal power station - the only one in North America until it shut down in 2019, on the causeway nearby.
When to go
May to October for the fort, gardens and full services; the gardens close for winter. The town is small and quiet, with a good farmers market on Saturdays in season.
Practical notes
The fort is earthworks and one building rather than standing walls. The gardens close for half the year. The town is very small with limited evening options.
Nearby
Port-Royal lies across the basin; Digby is west.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q564536, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Annapolis Royal
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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