Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine

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I had never heard of these islands until it appeared on an itinerary for an expedition cruise I was taking with Hurtigruten.  These islands kind of look like a giant sandbar but they are ruggedly beautiful and charming.  Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine or the Madeline Islands are located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and are part of the province of Quebec, Canada.

 

We had the good fortune of being there during the lobster season and had the fun of watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.  There is more to these islands than fishing but it does make up a good portion of their economy.  I think there is only one road that connects these islands together and they are quite removed from anything resembling hustle and bustle.  If you get the chance you should rent some bikes or mopeds to travel around and see the sights.

 

The coastline is rugged and sculpted by the water on a daily basis.  The red earth is fascinating and reminds me of Prince Edward Island.  What makes them unique is they sit quite close to the ocean with very little elevation.  Next to the port is a knoll that rises above the area and if you take the stairs to the top of the knoll you get a wonderful view!  You can also stroll along the waterfront on a path that follows the coastline.  They have little exits where you can get off the path and head back into the community.

 

This quirky little cluster of sandbar type islands forms a unique and intriguing little community that has less than 20,000 citizens but is warm and welcoming to all that arrive on its shores.  It would not be a destination spot; however, would make a lovely day trip from any of the surrounding Maritime provinces.  They do have ferry services.

 

If you are looking for a fun place to explore that is way off the beaten path, you should take a trip to the Maritime Provinces of Canada and stop by Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine and brush up on your french.  Contact us, your Madeline Island experts and we can help you plan the perfect getaway to this beautiful and rugged part of the Maritime Provinces.