Grande-Anse, a former village in Gloucester County, New Brunswick, Canada, is a place of historical significance and natural beauty. Once a village, it held its status until 2023 before becoming part of the town of Rivière-du-Nord. Today, it continues to be a vibrant community near Pokeshaw, located on the shore of Chaleur Bay in the Acadian Peninsula region. It's situated 25 km northwest of Caraquet and 45 kilometres east of Bathurst.
Grande-Anse's history dates back to 1808 when it was first settled by Acadian Simon Landry. It was incorporated as a village in 1968. On 1 January 2023, Grande-Anse amalgamated with Bertrand, Maisonnette, Saint-Léolin, and all or part of four local service districts to form the new town of Rivière-du-Nord. Despite the amalgamation, the community's name, Grande-Anse, remains in official use.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Grande-Anse had a population of 731 living in 361 of its 412 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -18.7% from its 2016 population of 899. With a land area of 24.27 km2 (9.37 sq mi), it had a population density of 30.1/km2 (78.0/sq mi) in 2021.
Grande-Anse is home to a small, man-made harbor with fishing boats. It also boasts a stone church building, called Saint Jude. The church spire has been a landmark for sailors. The community's geographical features and landmarks contribute to its charm and appeal.
After a 1984 visit from Pope John Paul II to Moncton, New Brunswick, the Pope Museum (French: Le Musée des Papes) was created in Grande-Anse. It contained portraits of all the popes, a scale model of the Vatican, and other items. With attendance falling from 30,000 visitors per year in its early days to just 500 in 2015, it was re-imagined as the Founding Cultures Museum (Musée des cultures fondatrices). This museum now celebrates the people who have lived in the Grande-Anse area, including the First Nations as well as the Acadian, Irish, Scottish, and British immigrants.
Grande-Anse's tourist attractions include the Grande-Anse beach, and the Popes' Museum. These attractions, along with its rich history and beautiful geography, make Grande-Anse a must-visit destination in New Brunswick.
