The Stories Of Canada
Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
SUGGESTED LENGTH:
5 DAYS
STARTING FROM $3,700 (approx $2,675 USD)
PER PERSON
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PLAN YOUR TRIP
Welcome to Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, also known as the Magdalen Islands – an arresting archipelago located deep in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Amid sandstone cliffs, white-sand beaches, and rolling hills dotted by jellybean homes, you’ll discover impeccable hospitality and a purposeful way of living. Your five-day journey will weave a memorable tapestry of sunrise hikes, bustling fishing ports, and cuisine sourced from the surrounding sea. Throughout, local Madelinots will bring you further into their unique culture, with influences from their home province of Quebec as well as the nearby provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. After an immersive exploration of these enchanting landscapes, you’ll leave exhilarated and refreshed, with a newly rediscovered joie de vivre.
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The Route
The Entrée Difference
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The Itinerary
1 | MAGDALEN ISLANDS, QC
Once you’ve arrived in the Magdalen Islands, you’ll take a private ride to the Château Madelinot – your pied-à-terre for the duration of the trip. Greet the islands with a striking sunset view at L’Étang-du-Nord lighthouse, whose original structure was built in 1874. Next, it’s onward to happy hour at l’Abri de la tempete, a women-owned microbrewery whose beer and bites are inspired by the local terroir. End the evening back at the hotel, where you’ll tuck into gourmet cuisine at Resto Bistro Accents. Accommodations are at Château Madelinot in a suite.
2 | MAGDALEN ISLANDS, QC
Rise and shine! This morning, you’ll leave the hotel by 5.45am to catch the sunrise at Havre aux Maisons, a charming island with a grassy plateau slanting towards the sea (not to worry, coffee will be served!). After breakfast, you’ll visit some of the islands that make up the Magdalen Islands archipelago. Point-aux-Loups, an oasis amid sand dunes, is the smallest inhabited island with some 50 houses in its township. Grosse-Île, inhabited by Madelinots of Scottish descent, maintains the traditional lifestyle of fisherman-farmer. Grand Entrée Island is Quebec’s lobster capital, with over 100 fishing boats mining the sea. You’ll also see Grand Échouerie Beach (Old Harry Beach), named among the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic. In the evening, stroll from your hotel to a restaurant in the nearby village of Cap-aux-Meules.
3 | MAGDALEN ISLANDS, QC
Bon appetit! Today is all about culinary cravings, as you embark on a tasting tour of Havre Aux Maisons. Tour stops include Fumoir d’Antan, a family-owned smokehouse delivering fish throughout Quebec; Fromagerie du Pied-de-vent, whose award-winning cheeses are made at the only dairy cow farm in the Magdalen Islands; and Les Cultures du Large, a pioneer of mussel and oyster farming. Following your culinary excursion, and a light lunch at a local coffee shop, join a panoramic tour of Havre-Aubert Island, a historic destination that welcomed the first Acadians to the Magdalen Islands. Here, you’ll visit the red-and-white lighthouse, and explore the most extensive forest in the archipelago. Then, it’s on to La Grave, the site of the Magdalen Islands’ first settlement and the beginning of its fishing industry. You’ll meet with the owner of artist collective Atelier Cotier, and wind down with happy hour before dinner.
4 | MAGDALEN ISLANDS, QC
Today you’ll use your car rental to explore the Central Islands at your own pace. We recommend a visit to L’Étang-du-nord fishing port, and a soft hike at the Sentiers Entre Vents et Marée, a trail network that winds throughout the archipelago. The relaxed walk is marked by quiet trails and a shifting landscape of trees, beaches, and villages. Refuel with happy hour at Chez Renard, a chic eatery in Cap-aux-Meules.
5 | MAGDALEN ISLANDS, QC
After a restful sleep, pack your bags in preparation for the flight home. It’s time to bid adieu to the Magdalen Islands, but this friendly community will welcome you back anytime.
