Ile du Cap-aux-Meules Travel Guide

Welcome to Ile du Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec

The busiest island in the archipelago of the Îles de la Madeleine, Île du Cap-aux-Meules' (Grindstone Island) port is where visitors first land, and is also the departure point for many exciting excursions, including kayaking, kite boarding and seal watching. Along with being the administrative centre of the islands, Île du Cap-aux-Meules bustles with a number of artisan shops, lively pubs and inviting restaurants.

The Church of Saint Pierre at Lavernière was constructed from the wreckage of wooden ships salvaged after smashing upon the rocks around the islands, and the Church of Notre-dame-du-Rosaire in Fatima's architecture also pays homage to marine life. At Pointe Hérisse, a modern lighthouse has replaced the original, 1874 structure, and flashes regularly to warn sailors of approaching shoals off the west side of the island. No less than three beaches provide plenty of aquatic activity, with the Dune du Nord and De l'Hôpital Beach easily reachable from Belle-Anse, where the cliffs have been chiseled by waves into sheer drops, smooth swirls and precarious projections.