2024-2025 Official Tourist Guide of the Îles de la Madeleine

Great Outdoors – Travel by Experience

Wildlife Reserves There are three places worthy of

maintained as a touching memory of the time when people lived here. The off-reserve portion of the Island is a wonderful place to observe many species of birds, including the Atlantic Puffin. Although access to this part of the Island is not restricted, no installation is available for the visitor. Rocher aux Oiseaux (Bird Rock) This high, rocky islet is located 32 km northeast of Grosse-Île. Access to this islet is difficult for visitors. It serves as a refuge for colonies of aquatic birds such as petrels, northern gannets, razorbills, murres and gulls. Only the lighthouse, first lit in 1870, is still there. Even with its difficult access, this rock is one of the most important ornithology sites in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

mention, either for their natural habitat or for their typical Madelinot flora and fauna. Two sites are designated as reserves in Les Îles: Brion Island and East Point. Rocher aux Oiseaux (Bird Rock) became a bird sanctuary in 1919. Brion Island Ecological Reserve Located 16 km from the Grosse Île Island, Brion Island had a permanent settlement of several families for over a century. Fishermen set up seasonal quarters there until the beginning of the seventies. The Island now mounts a watchful guard over the history of the Scottish families, Acadian fishermen and lighthouse keepers who lived there. In addition to its historical importance, this area is critical for its ecologically diverse flora and fauna, remnants of the original ecosystem of the Îles de la Madeleine. Brion Island is home to more than 200 different species of flora. Winged fauna are also abundant here, with 140 species inventoried. Brion Island is split into two major sectors, the largest of which, covering nearly 650 hectares, is the ecological reserve. Although the Island has no more inhabitants, the Dingwell house and its cemetery are

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