Frankville: Local History and Nearby Destinations

Frankville is a village on Highway 4. In a regional tourism classification, Frankville is considered part of the Northumberland Shore. The settlement outside the harbour was formerly called “Back Settlement of Harbour au Bouche”; in 1887, the place was named Frankville.

Nearby Nature and Waterfront Destinations

Cape Jack Beach is nearby. In a November 2025 update, the county reported that the beach had recently been designated a Provincial Beach. The Linwood Heritage Nature Trail and Picnic Area offers opportunities for walking and picnicking in the area. There is also access there for small boats to Linwood Harbour. If you plan to use this access, check the conditions locally. Aulds Cove also has an accessible boat launch.

Monastery History and Visiting Conditions

Our Lady of Grace Monastery and Outdoor Shrine in Monastery was founded in 1825 by Father Vincent de Paule Merle and several French Trappist monks. It was the first Trappist monastery in North America and was called Petit Clairvaux. The nearby Our Lady of Grace Monastery has a chapel, a hillside shrine, and a walking trail. Facilities and visitor access may change, so check the current conditions before your visit.

Antigonish County as a Regional Setting

Antigonish County lies along the Northumberland Shore and the Sunrise Trail. The Sunrise Trail runs along St. George’s Bay between Heatherton (TCH 104, Exit 36) and Aulds Cove (TCH 104, Exit 39). Frankville itself is located on Highway 4. Along the North Shore of Antigonish County, coastal cliffs drop into the sea. Lookouts on the Antigonish North Shore offer safe places to pull over and information panels about the region’s history and culture.

Eastern Antigonish County has pebble and sandy beaches, quiet harbours, and tidal estuaries that are home to many waterbirds, shorebirds, and other wildlife. The coast offers opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, and birdwatching; conditions can vary by season.

Trails and Nature in the County

Trail descriptions in Antigonish County vary in factors such as terrain and trail construction. The Fairmont Ridge Hiking Trail offers six different loops over hilly terrain. Beaver Mountain has a 6 km trail system with groomed trails and more challenging, unpaved sections on hills. From there, you can enjoy views of Antigonish County and Cape Breton Island. In Arisaig, the geology and its fossils are a distinctive nature feature. A 1.5 km hiking trail there winds through the forest and provides access to the shore; snowshoeing is also possible, depending on conditions.

Other nature experiences have a different focus: the Antigonish Landing Trail passes through the Antigonish Harbour Wildlife Management Area. The Mahoneys Beach Trail runs along the shore and offers the chance to observe native wildlife.

Culture and History in Antigonish County

The Cape George Heritage School Museum displays artifacts and shares information about regional heritage and culture. The Ballantyne’s Cove Bluefin Tuna Interpretive Centre provides information about tuna and the history of tuna fishing. St Anne’s Church in Summerside was built in 1867 as a mission church for the Mi’kmaq. Thus, in the wider travel region, visitors can choose from a range of regional history topics as well as coastal and hiking destinations.

Discover more destinations: Antigonish, Aulds Cove.

Go to the broader travel overview: Antigonish County.