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Bouctouche, New Brunswick is an Environmental and Cultural Work of Artby local in the know writer Lise Elsliger. In Bouctouche, on New Brunswick’s sandy beach coastline there is something to do and see for everyone and as a result it has been voted one of the World’s leading tourism visitor experience destinations. Here’s why Bouctouche rocks as a visitor location and community to live in, Many people come to Eastern Canada for an escape retreat to the best in nature, culture, heritage and local delicatessen such as sumptuous seafood, and Acadian cooking. Anyone staying in Moncton, however, might not realize the wonders to be found in it neighbouring villages. Once you’ve hit the city of Moncton with its resto clubs, shopping and close proximity to both the ocean and city lights, you need to take an escape weekend (or at least a day) and drive to Bouctouche. Bouctouche is the best example of Eastern Canada as a natural, historical and cultural retreat. With a population in 2001 of 2,426, one of its most sought after location, le Pays de la Sagouine, attracts over 100,000 visitors a year. Along with its culture, it is also an example of eco-tourism at its best, being the award-winning site of the beautiful Dunes de Bouctouche and its walk-way along the river, with hiking and cycling trails that are part of the NB Trail system. Also a must-see is the astounding Irving Arboretum, a place where over 10 000 types of trees or shrubs are cultivated for their educational or scientific interest. Known as the prettiest little town in Canada, Daniel Allain, town manager, can’t say enough about his hometown. “You just have to come and see it. You’ll come live here too. There’s a lot of hidden gems. For example, we were the only Canadian finalist for 450 municipalities competing for World Travel Tourism Council’s Award.” Bouctouche, was also recently named as a finalist in the best destination category for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism awards for 2008. The Bouctouche that we see today with it’s dunes, boardwalk, walk trails and arboretum is the result of a provincial program called Eco-tourism project put into place at the end of 1990. In fact, it has been recognized by Tourism Atlantic as a model sustainable tourism community. The town, with its rich Acadian history, is located at the mouth of the Bouctouche River on the coast of the Northumberland Strait, approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Moncton. Descendents of the French minority who founded Eastern Canada in 1604, Acadians are found in great numbers in coastal areas such as Bouctouche where they lived mostly as fishermen and farmers. But don’t worry, everyone there speaks English too. All that to say that Bouctouche has two important sides to it: Its environmental development and the richness of its Acadian culture. Through its ecotourism, it has been transformed into a life-size environmental work of art. With the richness of its Acadian culture, it has managed to bring to life its Acadian heritage for all to see, taste and enjoy, through its small restaurants focused on Acadian food, and through its now legendary Pays de la Sagouine. Ready to visit? Let’s go. Why not visit the places that Bouctouche is best known for such as the following;
How to Get To The Town of Bouctouche,First we need to get there, which is pretty easy to do from Moncton. Get on the Veterans Highway towards Shediac, route 15, until you see route 11 north. As soon as you see a sign of Bouctouche get off, then go on until you hit exit # 32. The whole drive is about 40 km. Although you can visit the place in one day, you might want to read it out on two days and spend the day on the beach catching the sun. The Pays de la Sagouine itself can take an entire day if you go to the brunch , dinner theatre, and a few of the theatrical performances. Find a place to stay by visiting the town’s homepage or if call them at 743-7260. Le Pays de la Sagouine: a Haven of Acadian Culture
It is one of the top ten “must see” attractions in the province according to the Department of Tourism and Parks New Brunswick. Its daily theatre, stories, live entertainment and historical presentation give a picture of the rich Acadian history and heritage. It’s the best way to experience traditional Acadian culture by savouring its food, music, art and theatre. It is full of professional actors who characters depict both the language and occupations of old time Acadians. It also has a very good restaurant, L’Ordre du Beau Temps, where you can either catch a brunch or a dinner theatre at the end of the day.
The Dinner Theatre: La Sagouine, held at L’Ordre du Bon Temps.
This is a dramatic monologue play about a scrubwoman without much education who has even forgotten her real name and speaks in the archaic Acadian language. Over the years, she keeps on surprising and moving us by making us laugh with her opinions and very personal views on the world and life in general. Based on Antonine Maillet's award-winning book La Sagouine, the character is brought to life by famous actress Viola Leger. The play Pélagie-la-Charrette By Antonine Maillet
Other daily events include visiting La T’chuisine des Mathilda, where you will learn to cook a variety of Acadian meals. La Boucanerie will make you discover a variety of fishing trades and you can even taste smoked herring. Music lovers can learn to play a variety of instruments in La cabane des T’chuillères. And stop for a relaxing drink at our very own Bootleggeux while listening to monologues and music. The children can enjoy a visit at La Cabane à Sullivan where there is fun and games all day. You can also eat at the L’Ordre du Bon Temps(restaurant) with an acadian buffet open for lunch during the summer months. Or you can attend a Christmas dinner theatre, from Thursday to Sunday, from November 21st to December 21st. Irving Arboretum A public arboretum is a place where trees or shrubs are cultivated for their educational or scientific interest. The Irving Arboretum is best described as a fascinating drive-in/walk in garden with over 10 000 different species of trees, along with the flower garden created by Mrs Irving herself, with its plants, flowers, and water display running down rocks. Located on Irving land, the arboretum becomes more impressive every year as additional species of trees are planted and added to the already 10 000 different species. Located between Chemin du Couvent and Mascogne River, the Arboretum, with its walking and bike trails, is the perfect place to observe local flora and fauna. It’s pretty much 1 km of trees that you can walk in and sit down and have a picnic. You can either walk in it or drive in it. There are plenty of bridges and rest areas, and the trails are connected to the trail system leading downtown and to the Bouctouche Dune. Bouctouche Walking Trails
The trails are designed to be able to travel from one end of Bouctouche to the other by foot or bicycle, so you can get from Pays de la Sagouine to the Dunes. Since the trees are very mature, you are always in the shade. It is a nice easy walk on flat land as you view sceneries that are amazing. Irving Eco-Centre : la Dune de Bouctouche
The Irving Eco-Centre: La Dune de Bouctouche was developed by J. D. Irving Ltd. to protect and restore one of the last great dunes on the north-eastern coast of North America. It offers visitors and school groups the opportunity to learn about the dune and its ecosystem. A sandy beach, bathed by the warm bay waters, stretches along the foot of the dune. Explore the unique beauty of the dune by taking a guided tour or participating in an educational activity organized by the guides. From the boardwalk you can observe the fauna crossing the dune, without endangering their precious, fragile habitats. This two-kilometer structure extends out to the beach and inner bay and has ramps making it wheelchair accessible.
For additional information on the Irving Eco-Centre: La dune de Bouctouche and its nature interpretation programs, or to organize a tour or special visits, please contact: The Bouctouche Farmers Market
The market offers local produce, baking, crafts and more, with live entertainment on site. It is open every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm, from June to September. The Bouctouche Farmers' Market revitalizes local business by bringing people to the town's centre. It is a vital part of the local economy and one of the best ways of promoting and sustaining the local development of agri-tourism and the cottage industry. Kent Museum
A visit to the convent will take you back to the turn of the century as guides dressed as boarders enthral you with true stories about life in the convent, and the history and architecture of this former educational institution, now a museum with several permanent exhibits on life in Acadia during the olden days. The neogothic chapel is an architectural treasure.
Irving Memorial Chapel, Bouctouche
The Irving family, descendents of these people, have maintained strong links with their ancestral homeland. The Chapel was built for this reason as they called upon the particular knowledge of traditional Scottish ecclesiastical architecture to help them build their new chapel.The masonry and most of the interior details were drawn from Scottish precedent. |
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Le Pays de la Sagouine is located on a little island in the middle of the Bouctouche River called Île-aux-Puces, which you can see from the highway when on route 11. 
Among the events and performance held at the Pays de la Sagouine is a performance of the legendary La Sagouine. 
Relive the epic story of the Acadians’ return to their homeland, one generation after the great Deportation. Follow Pélagie and her determined group of Acadians through an amazing journey told in 15 scenes on a backdrop of inspiring music, songs, special effects, lasers and fireworks. Together, they go through joys and hardships as they try to foil History’s plans (bent on stopping them) in order to return home and begin a new life.
A network of land and water trails connects all major sites of interest in Bouctouche. Designed to minimize the effects of visitors on the environment and to provide easy access to the various sites, visitors can walk, bike, ski, canoe or kayak these trails. It is a great way to explore and experience the rich and diverse local environment.
The Irving Eco Centre- La Dune de Bouctouche is a real breath of fresh air. It’s a great opportunity to leave the fast paste of city life and do the back to nature while walking on the 2 km boardwalk of the Dune de Bouctouche. The air. The smell of the ocean. It is the beauty if nature at its finest. You really have to see it to believe it.
The Bouctouche Farmers' Market opened for its first season on Saturday, July 3rd, 1999. The market continues to expand and draws between 500-1,300 people every weekend ! 
Surrounded by fields and bordering a sparkling blue bay, this Second Empire-style building was built in 1880 and is considered an architectural treasure with its neogotic chapel. 
The Irving Memorial Chapel is above all an artist work of art. It stands in an established arboretum next to an old Protestant burial ground which contains memorials to the many Scots families from southwest Scotland who emigrated to Bouctouche in New Brunswick, Canada. 