Grand-Bouctouche, a Canadian town nestled in Kent County, New Brunswick, boasts a rich history that dates back to its original name, Tjipogtotjg, a Mi'kmaq word meaning "Great Little Harbour". The region was first settled in 1785 by brothers Francois LeBlanc and Charles LeBlanc, and brothers Isidore Bastarache and Joseph Bastarache, marking the birth of an Acadian community.
A tribute to these founders, "La Croix commémorative aux fondateurs de Bouctouche", was unveiled on August 29, 1954. The stones at the base of the cross symbolize the origins of the settlers who hailed from France, Grand-Pré, Memramcook, and Bouctouche. The 19th century saw the arrival of immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, including the forefathers of K.C. Irving, one of Bouctouche's most renowned sons.
The town experienced a significant event on August 6, 1879, when it was struck by a tornado. On January 1, 2023, Bouctouche was renamed Grand-Bouctouche, annexing the local service district (LSD) of Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and portions of the LSDs of the parish of Richibucto, the parish of Sainte-Marie, and the parish of Wellington.
Grand-Bouctouche is strategically located at the mouth of the Bouctouche River on the coast of the Northumberland Strait, approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Moncton. It holds the distinction of being the first municipality in New Brunswick to adopt a Green Plan for the working of the municipality in 2006.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Grand-Bouctouche recorded a population of 2,513 living in 1,094 of its 1,188 total private dwellings. This marked a 6.4% increase from its 2016 population of 2,361. With a land area of 18.33 km2 (7.08 sq mi), it had a population density of 137.1/km2 (355.1/sq mi) in 2021.
Grand-Bouctouche is home to La Dune de Bouctouche, known by its first inhabitants as the Great Little Harbour. This attraction features hiking and cycling trails that are part of the New Brunswick Trail system. The dunes, made up of 12 kilometres of whispering sands, can be viewed from a boardwalk along a conservation area known as the Irving Eco Centre.
Another must-visit is Le Pays de la Sagouine, a theme park based on Antonine Maillet's award-winning book La Sagouine. The park offers a glimpse into Acadian entertainment and history, with dramatic reproductions of Antonine's plays.
The Irving Eco Centre is another testament to the town's commitment to preserving natural resources. Industrialist Kenneth Colin Irving, a native of Bouctouche, has many of his businesses, including Kent Homes, operating there.
Grand-Bouctouche has established sister city relationships with St. Martinville, Louisiana, United States, and Châtellerault, France, further strengthening its global connections.
