L'essentiel des Îles de la Madeleine

Magdalen Islands Essentials

The Magdalen Islands archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence features a landscape of red sandstone cliffs and white sand dunes. This selection covers the historic La Grave site in Havre-Aubert, traditional maritime industries like the Fumoir d'antan smokehouse, and the islands' network of navigational landmarks, including the 19th-century Amherst Island Light. Visitors can sample regional flavors at local cheese shops and microbreweries or explore the car-free trails of Entry Island.

Marc-Lautenbacher / CC BY-SA 4.0

Musée de la mer

Located at the historic La Grave site, this museum documents the archipelago's maritime history, focusing on navigation, fishing traditions, and the local seal hunt.

Claude Brochu / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Amherst Island Light

Built between 1870 and 1871, this octagonal wooden tower is the oldest lighthouse in the archipelago. It overlooks the cliffs of Anse-à-la-Cabane.

Gilles Desjardins / CC BY-SA 4.0

Phare du Borgot

Situated on the red sandstone cliffs of Étang-du-Nord, this lighthouse is a prominent landmark for viewing sunsets and the rugged western coastline.

Cap-Alright Lighthouse

A small wooden lighthouse on Havre-aux-Maisons Island, positioned on white cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Plage de l'Échouerie.

Café de la grave

Housed in a former general store on the historic La Grave pebble beach, this bistro serves local cuisine in a preserved 19th-century setting.

fromagerie au pied de vent

An artisanal cheese factory in Havre-aux-Maisons using milk from Canadienne cows to produce regional specialties like Pied-de-Vent and Tomme des Demoiselles.

Fumoir d'antan

A traditional smokehouse and museum demonstrating the historical process of smoking herring. The shop offers smoked fish, scallops, and other seafood products.

Butte des demoiselles

A series of rounded hills in Havre-Aubert providing elevated views of the historic La Grave district, the fishing port, and the surrounding sea.

Plage de la dune de l'Ouest

A 14-kilometer stretch of sandy beach protected by dunes, connecting the islands of Havre-Aubert and Étang-du-Nord.

A l’abri de la tempête microbrasserie

Located in a converted fish processing plant, this brewery produces beers flavored with local ingredients such as sea algae, smoked malt, and wild herbs.

Île d'Entrée

The only inhabited island in the archipelago not connected by bridge or dune. Accessible via ferry, it features hiking trails leading to the Big Hill viewpoint.

Fin de route

A scenic viewpoint located at the end of the road near Étang-du-Nord, offering direct views of the eroded red sandstone cliffs and the Gulf.