Road Trip Edmundston – Republic of Madawaska, Brayonne Fair & Botanical Garden
Edmundston
Saint-Jacques
12
km
0h30
drive
Summer
season
The Itinerary
Edmundston, in northwestern New Brunswick at the Quebec, Maine and rest-of-NB borders, proclaims itself "capital of the Republic of Madawaska" — an imaginary but seriously celebrated state born of an 1839 border dispute (the "Aroostook War"). Its population, the Brayons, is unique: francophone, culturally distinct from both Acadians and Quebeckers, with its own flag, anthem and honorary president.
La Foire Brayonne (late July/early August), the largest francophone festival west of Quebec, draws 200,000 people over 5 days: concerts, parades, processions, Brayon food (ployes and tourtières). It's essential for discovering Brayon culture.
The New Brunswick Botanical Garden (Saint-Jacques, 5 minutes north of Edmundston) is one of Atlantic Canada's most beautiful themed gardens: 8 themed gardens over 16 hectares (Rose, Aquatic, Alpine, Medicinal, Edible), butterflies and tropical greenhouses. Edmundston's Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (1927) houses the most important Casavant organ in Atlantic Canada. Don't miss: the Fraser Edmundston paper-mill heritage, and the top-10 NB Fraser Edmundston golf course.
La Foire Brayonne (late July/early August), the largest francophone festival west of Quebec, draws 200,000 people over 5 days: concerts, parades, processions, Brayon food (ployes and tourtières). It's essential for discovering Brayon culture.
The New Brunswick Botanical Garden (Saint-Jacques, 5 minutes north of Edmundston) is one of Atlantic Canada's most beautiful themed gardens: 8 themed gardens over 16 hectares (Rose, Aquatic, Alpine, Medicinal, Edible), butterflies and tropical greenhouses. Edmundston's Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption (1927) houses the most important Casavant organ in Atlantic Canada. Don't miss: the Fraser Edmundston paper-mill heritage, and the top-10 NB Fraser Edmundston golf course.
Points of Interest
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La Foire BrayonneLargest francophone festival west of Quebec, 200,000 visitors.
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NB Botanical Garden8 themed gardens, 16 ha in Saint-Jacques.
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Republic of MadawaskaUnique Brayon identity, flag and president.
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Notre-Dame CathedralAtlantic Canada's largest Casavant organ.
Practical info
- Departure Edmundston
- Destination Saint-Jacques
- Distance 12 km
- Duration 0h30
- Category Short (< 100 km)
- Best season Summer
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