regions & communities
Part of the eroded Appalachian Mountain chain, the peninsula is home to quite a variety of scenic coastline around 130 km and ethnic diversity collected in around twenty small, but self-sufficient, communities based around fishing, a small forest industry, and small-scale farming. A small selection of these areas and their communities:
Port au Port - the gateway community to the peninsula itself, sitting right at the isthmus, and home to the largest wooden structure in Newfoundland & Labrador, Our Lady of Mercy Church
The Bar - from Lourdes, home to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, through Black Duck Brook to Long Point, a seasonal community, on the tip of a narrow strip of land with the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the west side and the Port au Port Bay on the east side
Route de mon grand-pere Route of my grandfather - the lively French communities of De Grau, Cap St-George Cape St. George, and La Grand'Terre Mainland
The South Coast - breathtaking ocean views and a peak into Port au Port industry with Atlantic Minerals
talk
Unlike Newfoundland English, Newfoundland French is nearly extinct. Newfoundland French is distinct from other Canadian French dialects including Quebec French and Acadian French, and is generally found in the Port au Port Peninsula. The language was deliberately discouraged by the government in the 20th century, so visitors can expect most people they encounter to speak English. However, if you speak French, here's your chance to engage with a fascinating dialect. You will find Francophone Associations in the communities of De Grau Les Terre-Neuviens Francais 709-644-2050, La Grand'Terre/Mainland Heritage de l'Ile Rouge 709-642-5254 & Association regionale de la cote ouest 709-642-5254, and L'Anse-a-Canards/Black Duck Brook Chez les Francais 709-642-5498.