what that is, quickly find out!), for work, or to enjoy the good restaurants (favorites include Chez Sophie and the microbrewery), but I had never really taken the time to understand and observe what was happening just across the St. Lawrence River. This summer, I'm exploring all the islands of Eastern Quebec. That's my project too: rediscovering territories that are sometimes so close but often so underexploited, so rarely visited. And yet, being on an island is nothing less than picturesque.
So today, I want to make it easier for you to plan your next summer vacation on the North Shore. Whether it's this year or in 10 years, take notes and have fun dreaming!
I had the chance to stay on Grande Basque Island through Tourisme Sept-Îles. But the Sept-Îles Archipelago includes, as you may have guessed, seven different islands. The company Croisières Sept-Îles offers transportation in the Archipelago at a low cost, so clearly, that's my first recommendation. They offer various services: transportation, observation in the Archipelago, fishing, and more. Jade, one of the owners, took us on a tour, and despite the strong winds, we were able to observe several islands as well as their fauna/flora.
From the moment we arrived on Grande Basque Island, I was charmed. We set up our tent near the dock since my boyfriend is clearly not equipped for lightweight camping. A positive point: we didn't have to move our equipment over a long distance. Also, there weren't many brave souls wishing to sleep in June in such cold temperatures yet, so we practically had the beach to ourselves. When you're on an island, there's no need to walk far to find an incredible spot. Indeed, even though we didn't walk very far, the terrain was beautiful, very close to a beach with fine sand. However, note that there are possibilities to camp even further away and thus, get a bit of the feeling of being Robinson Crusoe hehe!
Although the water is often cold on the North Shore, I advise you to bring your swimsuit. After sunbathing on the beach or a nice hike, the desire to cool off can quickly arise. Upon our arrival, we took advantage of the view and the nearby beach to settle in and then relax. Because that's also what vacations are about: taking the time to appreciate the present moment by resting.
After dinner, no more relaxation. At sunset, I already knew where I wanted to admire the colors. At the northern end of the island, there is a summit with an incredible view of Petite/Grosse Boule Islands (Montée Trail). It's a fairly short hike and quite accessible to all: you have to climb a lot, but over a short distance. Clearly, in my opinion, the best place to admire the twilight in complete tranquility. We truly felt like we were alone in the world.
We briefly admired the colors and the nightfall from this summit, but we knew that we could also have an incredible view directly from our location. For someone (like me!) who loves colors and sunsets, I confirm that if you walk fast, it may be worth it to admire it from different locations. That's the North Shore: between nature and extravagance. And I confirm that we were served that evening.
The next morning, the weather was less clement, which somewhat restricted my plans. I wanted to do the loop around the island passing through different places suggested by Isaac, the island keeper (what a dream job!). I'm talking about him because honestly, it's really useful to have someone directly on site at all times who can advise you, guide you, etc. To make sure you have the best experience according to the duration of your stay, I strongly advise you to befriend the island keeper. His advice is always good. For my part, I spent 24 hours on this island, and for me, it wasn't enough. Clearly, I will return in the coming years to venture further on the island and perhaps visit other places in the Archipelago.
Ève-Danielle Latulippe