📖 About Baie-Sainte-Anne

Baie-Sainte-Anne is a picturesque Acadian fishing village on New Brunswick's eastern shore, serving as the gateway to Kouchibouguac National Park. This Maritime community on Miramichi Bay has built its identity around lobster fishing, with the industry dominating local life and economy. The village embodies authentic Acadian culture, where French heritage blends with Atlantic Canadian traditions.

The Northumberland Strait waters surrounding Baie-Sainte-Anne are renowned for exceptional lobster catches. The lobster season (typically spring) sees the community come alive as fishing boats head out at dawn and return with their valuable hauls. Fresh seafood restaurants and wharf-side experiences offer visitors authentic Maritime hospitality. Quebec's 2025-2030 Sustainable Tourism Growth Strategy emphasizes preserving coastal communities like this one.

Kouchibouguac National Park, just minutes away, protects coastal ecosystems including salt marshes, dunes, and warm-water lagoons. The park offers kayaking, cycling, and camping. Canada's Tourism Growth Program continues supporting Atlantic Canada's visitor economy, with $21.1 million in Quebec assistance reflecting federal commitment to regional tourism development.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Baie-Sainte-Anne's economy centers on the lobster fishery, with most working-age residents involved directly or indirectly in the industry. The lobster season defines the community calendar, with fishermen heading out before dawn and processing facilities operating at full capacity. Tourism provides supplementary income, particularly during summer months when Kouchibouguac draws visitors seeking beaches and outdoor recreation.

Acadian French culture permeates daily life in Baie-Sainte-Anne. The Acadian flag flies proudly, and French remains the primary language. Traditional music featuring fiddles and accordions accompanies community gatherings. Seafood chowder, lobster rolls, and fresh catches define local cuisine. August 15th National Acadian Day celebrations unite communities across the Maritimes. The resilience of Acadian identity despite historical challenges—including the 1755 Deportation—speaks to this culture's strength.

📜 History

Baie-Sainte-Anne was settled by Acadian French colonists who sought refuge along New Brunswick's coasts after the British Deportation of 1755. The bay's sheltered waters and abundant fishing grounds offered survival and eventually prosperity. The community established itself around the lobster fishery that continues today. Catholic parish churches became community centers, and French traditions persisted despite anglophone majority in the broader province.

Kouchibouguac National Park was created in 1969, though its establishment displaced some local residents—a controversy that led to improved consultation practices in Canadian park creation. Today the park works closely with Acadian and Mi'kmaq communities. Baie-Sainte-Anne remains an authentic fishing village where visitors experience Maritime Canada without pretense, connected to national park wilderness while maintaining its working character.