In addition to their religious convictions, the Acadians of long ago often held all kinds of beliefs that were not taught in church. Some people firmly believed that the devil appeared to them on certain occasions, such as at a dance that had been forbidden by the priest.

It was also believed that some young people consorted with the devil in order to travel at lightning speed on a log that flew through the air. This means of transportation was called the chasse-galerie (ghost canoe). Many Acadian legends make mention of the chasse-galerie.

Another version of the chasse-galerie was that a certain group of men - possibly lumbermen who wanted to get home for Christmas - straddled a log or a beam or climbed into a tub or onto a board, and then, by saying some magic words, they were able to fly through the air at fantastic speed. However, according to the legend, when they spoke those magic words, they gave their souls to the devil.

FEUX FOLLETS (WILL-O'-THE-WISPS)
Over marshy ground, flashes of light sometimes appear and disappear just as quickly. These are the feux follets, which are said to be the souls of the dead returning to remind people to pray for them.

ELVES
The Acadians also used to believe that elves visited their farms during the night and borrowed the horses to go for a ride. The next day, the farmer would find his horses tired out, with braids in their manes. Apparently, the elves braided the manes to use as stirrups for their feet during their rides.