{"id":414839,"date":"2024-11-03T04:38:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T09:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mp-2702.milesopedia.dev\/?p=414839"},"modified":"2026-05-08T15:52:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T15:52:47","slug":"anticosti-a-journey-to-the-heart-of-a-preserved-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mp-2702.milesopedia.dev\/en\/guide\/destination\/anticosti-a-journey-to-the-heart-of-a-preserved-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anticosti – A UNESCO World Heritage Jewel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Anticosti Island<\/strong> is a true hidden treasure, so far escaping heavy tourism. With a population of around 150 and some 100,000 adorable deer, it’s a fascinating destination for nature-lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To give you an idea of its size, Anticosti is comparable to Corsica – or about 6.7 times bigger than the island of Montreal – and is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the Gasp\u00e9 Peninsula and the North Shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it has generally been a favourite among hunters, it’s also well worth visiting for its breathtaking scenery and unique ecosystem. In 2023, the island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage<\/strong> Site, mainly thanks to its abundance in fossils, petrified records of the first mass extinction of animal species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here are my discoveries about this little-known island, which deserves to be appreciated far beyond just hunting. A destination that will captivate nature and adventure lovers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anticosti – Magnificent Natural Sites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the must-see attractions is the impressive 76-metre-high Vaur\u00e9al Falls, which surpasses Niagara Falls in height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And don’t miss Baie-de-la-Tour and the Telegraph Trail, for superb views of the limestone cliffs rising out of the turquoise water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you like waterfalls, you can climb Boulay Falls, a seaside site where a magnificent cascade flows through the limestone strata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lac \u00e0 la Marne is also well worth visiting. It’s renowned for its limestone-rich geological composition, making it ideal for a summer mud bath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do you know what an exclosure is? It’s an area protected from white-tailed deer, designed to observe the impact of wildlife on the ecosystem. The difference between the lush vegetation inside the exclosure and the sparse vegetation outside is striking, clearly demonstrating the deer’s influence on biodiversity. A fascinating visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, ocean conditions permitting (which unfortunately was not the case during my autumn stay), you can board an inflatable boat to explore the ocean and observe a colony of grey seals located about fifteen kilometres off the shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anticosti – For History and Culture Buffs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To immerse yourself in the island’s history, head for Baie-Sainte-Claire, where you can discover the remains of the village founded by French chocolatier Henri Menier in 1895. Menier played a key role in the island’s development, introducing white-tailed deer cultivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the time of this visionary entrepreneur, the village had a population of around 1,000, with impressive infrastructures such as an on-site doctor, a castle, and even a railroad. Historic sites to visit include the customs officer’s house, a lime kiln, and ancient cemeteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the most fascinating sites to visit on Anticosti Island is the Cap-de-la-Vache-qui-Pisse fossil site. Prized for its spectacular coastal scenery, this site is home to fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years. Sedimentary strata bearing witness to the first mass extinction of life on Earth, some 435 to 450 million years ago. You’ll also have the pleasure of unearthing a few fossils to take home as a souvenir of your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you like historic sites, head to the wreck of the Calou, close to the Pointe-Ouest lighthouse, for a picnic lunch. The Pointe-Nord lighthouse, built between 1917 and 1918, is also well worth a visit. The surrounding rocky beach is perfect for a leisurely stroll in the sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anticosti – Shopping and Culinary Discoveries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a little shopping, make a stop in the village of Port-Menier, the economic heart of the island and home to the majority of its population. Here you’ll find a number of services, including a general store, grocery store, gas station, bank, restaurant, and accommodation options. At the Insul’Art boutique<\/a>, I took the time to buy a few local souvenirs, taking with me a little of the wild, unspoilt spirit of this island that seems to escape modern times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, if you love seafood, you must visit the Manowin oyster farm <\/a>in l’Anse-aux-Fraises. John Pineault, the passionate owner, explains the process of growing local oysters, as well as telling captivating stories about the island’s history. And the highlight: an oyster tasting accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine, all by the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n