Discover Tracadie-Sheila

When planning a stay in Tracadie-Sheila, it is worth first considering the time of year: public skating is tied to the winter season, while the Tracadie Country Market and activities at the Sanctuary each have their own seasonal schedules. The Musée Historique de Tracadie, which tells the story of a leprosarium, and the Our Lady of La Salette Sanctuary are central to the area’s cultural history; two cycling routes offer a different focus.

Cultural history at the Musée Historique de Tracadie

The Musée Historique de Tracadie is the only museum in Canada to tell the story of a 19th-century leprosarium. It also documents the work of the Religieuses Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph through the lazaretto, including their contributions to health care, education, culture and charity. The museum is at 399 Rue du Couvent, on the second floor of the Académie Ste-Famille. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.

The Our Lady of La Salette Sanctuary

The Our Lady of La Salette Sanctuary is located in Sheila, behind the parish church, at 934 Rue Louis G. Daigle. It recreates the 1846 apparition of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps. The display features mountains, a large illuminated cross and several statues. Activities begin around Father’s Day in June and end with the parish celebration on the first Sunday in September. Check the current schedule before your trip; if you plan to attend a service, confirm the arrangements in advance as well.

Two distinct cycling routes

Circuit 9, “Tracadie – Between Bays, Marshes and Forest,” is 33 km long. An optional 17 km extension is available, and the main route runs in one direction. This lets you consider the main route and extension separately when planning. Check the current route and conditions before setting out.

Circuit 18 of the Véloroute de la Péninsule Acadienne is the Ville de Tracadie route. You can ride it through the town at your own pace. The two circuits therefore offer different experiences: Circuit 9 specifies its length, optional extension and direction, while Circuit 18 lets you ride through the town at your own pace.

Winter skating and the summer market

During the winter season, the arena at the Complexe S.A. Dionne offers public skating, as well as seniors’, youth and recreational hockey and figure skating. The program may vary by season, so check the current schedule before planning to skate or take part in another activity.

During the summer months, the Tracadie Country Market brings together artisans, vendors and locals every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Offerings include fresh produce, local products, homemade food and specialties, as well as crafts and performances by local artists. Check the dates for the summer you plan to visit Tracadie-Sheila.

When to visit and how to find a hotel

The time of year is a useful starting point when looking for a hotel in Tracadie-Sheila. First, decide what interests you most: the museum and Sanctuary offer cultural history and religious imagery, the two circuits cater to different cycling interests, and the arena and market operate seasonally. This helps you plan your trip around the dates that matter most to you.

Explore more destinations: Caraquet, Beresford, Bertrand, Bathurst, Inkerman, Shippagan, Lamèque, Janeville

For the broader travel overview: Gloucester County.