This Gulf of St. Lawrence archipelago’s elongated forms are garbed in sandy, wave-kissed beaches. Pale dunes, rolling green hills, ochre cliffs and brightly coloured houses stand out against the backdrop of the deep blue sea. This idyllic seaside setting is perfect for a holiday in the open air.
The culture of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine is fascinating. A trip to the Islands does indeed reveal a wonderfully unique landscape, but it also offers an unexpected encounter with their singular maritime culture, the pride and joy of the region’s 13,000 inhabitants.
The Îles-de-la-Madeleine are part of Québec, but their roots lie deep in Acadia, in a history strongly influenced by shipwrecks and by the courage of its people, who have struggled for more than 200 years to build a vital community in the heart of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This Acadian legacy is everywhere—architecture, fishing, music and traditions, as well as the local dialect’s musical accents, which delight visitors’ ears the first time they’re heard. The Islands are another world entirely!
