Eight of the municipality’s attractions are featured along the Circuit historique de Saint-Jacques; you can also explore Acadian history in a permanent exhibition and at Parc des Cultures Bernard-Landry. For your plans, you can choose from a historic route, museum stops, landscaped grounds, sports and a distillery visit. This makes it easy to explore Saint-Jacques according to the interests that matter to you.
Acadian History at the Museum and in the Park
Saint-Jacques was founded in 1774 by about 30 Acadian families and is considered the Acadian cradle of the Lanaudière region. Maison de la Nouvelle-Acadie is in the heart of the village centre, in a former sacristan’s house renovated for the museum. Its permanent exhibition comprises eight museum displays. They cover the context and background of the deportation, the Acadians’ settlement in the Seigneurie of the Sulpicians, and their development.
Parc des Cultures Bernard-Landry also bears witness to Saint-Jacques’ Acadian past. It is home to a monument commemorating the Great Expulsion and the Acadian Odyssey. The exhibition and monument offer different ways to engage with history: Maison de la Nouvelle-Acadie explores several displays and historical contexts, while the park commemorates both themes in a monument.
The Circuit historique: Eight Attractions Along One Route
The Circuit historique introduces visitors to eight attractions in the municipality. The proposed route is 1.4 kilometres long and takes about an hour and 30 minutes on foot. It is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Since the duration and route details are important for planning, it is a good idea to check them before your trip.
For navigation along the way, the BaladoDĂ©couverte mobile app offers an interactive map. It shows your location as you travel. If you plan to use the map, check that the app is available before your trip.
Landscaped Parks and Outdoor Activities
At Parc des Cultures Bernard-Landry, a restored central walkway connects the church and cemetery. The park also includes a medieval patio, a Japanese garden, an orchard and a Zen garden for children. Each area offers a different atmosphere within the same park. Benches made by local craftspeople bear plaques with family names and origins, as well as their arrival dates in Nouvelle-Acadie. Alongside the gardens, you can find information about local families and their arrival history.
At Parc Aimé-Piette, two tennis courts are also marked for pickleball; there is also a volleyball court and a splash pad. Seasonal operating hours may vary at the splash pad. Access arrangements for the courts may also change, so check the current conditions before using them.
Tours and Tastings
Distillerie Grand Dérangement offers an educational and entertaining tour about whisky, gin and vodka. A guided tasting is also available at its Économusée du distillateur. If you plan to include this visit in your itinerary, check the current tour options in advance, as operating details may change.
Saint-Jacques has a range of activities with different focuses: historic attractions along a route, Acadian history in an exhibition and a park, gardens, sports and a tour with a tasting. When looking for a vacation rental in Saint-Jacques, you can start by considering which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay.
For the broader travel overview: Montcalm.
