The inhabitants’ warm hospitality is equalled only by the diversity and talent found here, from a cultural standpoint and in terms of gastronomy and local products. It’s also a paradise for windsurfers and kitesurfers. The many white sandy beaches that stretch for as far as the eye can see and the spectacular sunsets will leave a lasting impression.
How to get there
Distance between main cities
Did you know?
To be discovered absolutely
Islanders are very generous. We love to share our beaches, our artistic talents and our culinary delights.
Whitecoat watching
Seal watching is the main winter attraction on the Îles de la Madeleine. It’s unique in the world! You can observe harp seals in their natural habitat, directly on the ice floes surrounding the islands. The peacefulness of the ice pack and the quiet of winter broken by the barks of seals and their pups all around you is truly awe-inspiring.
A veritable nursery! Between 300,000 and 600,000 seals come to the Islands to give birth.
Guided seal-watching packages are available at the Château Madelinot. A spectacular landscape of ice and snow dotted with thousands of seals awaits you. Don’t forget your camera!
Local artists and creative workshops
If given a palette, a painter will paint. It’s the same on the Islands: nature provides a broad palette of colours composed of blue skies, red cliffs, white sand, green meadows and multicoloured houses. These natural settings and materials inspire our Madelinot artists. Seashells, sand, stones, pieces of driftwood, or polished glass washed up on the beaches all find their way into the artistic works and handicrafts created here..
It’s the ideal vacation destination for participating in a creative workshop.
The artists and artisans of the Îles de la Madeleine take advantage of quieter periods to seek inspiration from their exceptional environment. This is the perfect opportunity to meet them, learn about their backgrounds and discover their day-to-day lives.
Savouring the sea’s bounty
On the Islands, the sea offers us its most prized treasures. It’s particularly in May and June that the curious gather on the docks, teeming with activity, to watch the fishing boats arrive. And it’s no surprise that later, we’re able to savour a meal of fresh snow crab, tender scallops or the incomparable Island lobster.
Fish and seafood are the main features of the local cuisine. You’ll savour unforgettable gastronomical delights with tender scallops, delicious snow crab and the incomparable Island lobster. And you’ll also want to taste the local beers, fine cheeses and smoked products, such as cured herring. The culinary know-how of the Madelinots is found in the local Island products. Search for the label “Le Bon Goût Frais des Îles de la Madeleine” during your stay!
More than a third of the lobster boats dock in the Grande-Entrée and Grosse-Île ports.
You’ll also want to taste the local beers, fine cheeses and smoked products, such as cured herring. The Madelinots’ culinary know-how is found in the local products bearing the label “Le Bon Goût Frais des Îles de la Madeleine.”
