Four days of flavors: A culinary journey to the Magdalen Islands in May
We impulsively booked a trip for a few days to the Magdalen Islands without realizing that we were outside the tourist season and that several businesses were closed. We still managed to have a very nice trip. Here are our favorites and recommendations for a remarkable trip.
Upon arrival, we were instantly drawn to the drive from the airport to the hotel, which was lined with charming, colorful houses. However, the real thing was love at first sight when we discovered our room at Domaine du Vieux Couvent . The walls of the corridors were decorated with impressive artistic paintings, which left us speechless. Upon arrival at the room, we were warmly welcomed by an immaculate space, with stunning sea views. The cleanliness of the room was spotless to the point where you would have thought it had been maintained by mother superior itself. Nothing failed us in this soothing, magnificent and harmonious decor. The only negative point was the restaurant located on this enchanting site. Although the menu was interesting, the flavors and execution unfortunately did not live up to our expectations.
Domaine du Vieux Couvent - Hâvre-aux-Maisons
Chez Renard - Cap-aux-Meules Located in an enchanting setting, Café chez Renard offers a trendy atmosphere characteristic of Villeray. The decor is decorated with wood paneling where customers discreetly consult the internet and listen to muted music. It is also in this place that we planned our trip, letting ourselves be carried away without seeing the time pass, like the Madelinots. Unfortunately, when we visited, the evening meal option was only available Thursday through Saturday, limiting our opportunities to experience it. Nevertheless, the menu displayed on the slate promised a most tempting culinary experience. The coffee, on the other hand, was absolutely divine, quickly becoming one of my favorites in recent years, although the selection of pastries is rather small, it remains exquisite. The cannelé was a melting delight, while the biscotti was succulent and flavorful. If you are passing through Cap-aux-Meules and looking for the ideal place for a coffee break, look no further, Renard is undoubtedly the place to stop.
What is striking about the Îles de la Madeleine are the magnificent dunes. These islets of sand harmoniously connect all the islands, creating landscapes of rare beauty, which are rarely, if ever, found elsewhere. We took this opportunity to practice a short meditation session by the water and were even lucky enough to spot a sea wolf washed up on the beach.
Pointe-aux-Loups Beach
View of Boudreau Island
Trail on Boudreau Island
Old Harry Beach
Havre-Aubert - During our visit to the Îles de la Madeleine, we were lucky enough to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere in La Grave, as we were out of season. Unfortunately few businesses were open. However, one of our favorite moments was the visit to the Museum of the Sea , which captivated our attention and touched our hearts. Another unforgettable experience was the short hike on the Butte des Demoiselles, where we were able to admire the breathtaking landscapes.
Hike on the Butte des Demoiselles
Agrotourism in the Îles de la Madeleine - Despite the closure of many sites in May, we had the chance to discover some treasures in the Îles de la Madeleine. We tasted the fish on a stick party mix at the Fumoir d'Antan , the cow's cheese from the Fromagerie au Pied de Vent , the delicious pastries from the Le Madelon bakery , the lobster from the Fish Shack , the beers from the microbrewery À l'Abri de la Tempête. Our taste buds were delighted by all these exquisite tastings. We would also like to highlight the exceptional scallop dish at Bistro Accents and the delicious Pot-en-Pot at La Salicorne , which were real culinary favorites.
Restaurant Gourmande de Nature - Unfortunately we were not able to make reservations for dinner at this time of year. Therefore, we opted for a short bike ride followed by a restaurant stop. What an excellent choice! As soon as we entered the establishment, we were charmed by the impressive attention to detail that reigned there. Plus, we had a blast! All the dishes we ordered were delicious and the atmosphere was incredibly warm. This is undoubtedly an unmissable stop during your visit to the Magdalen Islands.
Quai 360 Restaurant – We witnessed a rise in popularity over the four days we spent visiting different restaurants. The last dinner we booked turned out to be the best, in our opinion. The setting was simply great, the cocktails delicious and the dishes prepared to perfection. Our last evening in the Islands was truly magical thanks to this magnificent and sublime meal. It will remain forever engraved in our memories as our culinary favorite from last May.
Electric Fat Bike Rental - If you're planning to visit the Islands in May, there's a must-do activity: renting an electric bike from Eco Vélo at Étang du Nord . This option is ideal because it does not require great physical fitness to enjoy it, since your bike will do a lot of the work for you. After a short walk along the seaside, we headed towards Corfu beach. It was a real favorite! Pedaling down the beach, with the sparkling water on one side and the sand on the other, instantly put a lasting smile on our faces. An activity not to be missed!
CONCLUSION
If you are forced to visit the Magdalen Islands in May, it is essential to be creative and minimally planned in order to fully enjoy your trip. Some places are closed during this period. We had the opportunity to fully enjoy our stay for four days. However, we are curious to visit the Magdalen Islands during the tourist period which begins in June. The friendly inhabitants of the archipelago told us about the crowds that characterize this period! There seems to be a multitude of cultural activities that we unfortunately were not able to participate in. But it's only a postponement, because we're going to miss the adorable Madelinot accent.
Havre-aux-Maisons
