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Discover L'Ile-aux-Grues (goose island), a nice little exotic island

L'Ile-aux-Grues (goose island) is a nice little exotic island. Located in the middle of the Saint-Lawrence River about forty miles east of Québec City. This tiny island is only around 4.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide. The year round population is about 120 people. During summer and fall, that number more than doubles. Besides greater snow goose hunting this island has much to offer to visitors.

L'Isle-Aux-Grues a bird paradise

Le rendez-vous de l'ornithologie de l'Isle-aux-Grues 2005, will be held on Saturday and Sunday 21st and 22nd of May. There are some 210 different species of land and water birds that include the unique greater snow geese.

Beside bird watching, conferences will be held, tours on land and sea, rallye, taste the famous Riopelle, Mi-Carême and Tomme de Grosse-Ile cheese, have gastronomic meals etc.

For more information, contact: Mrs Lisette Painchaud Phone 418-248-4687 or email at: rendez_vous_ornothologie@hotmail.com

The same weekend and the next one, an observation tour at les petits pingouins de la Batture-aux-Loups-Marins (penguin observation and interpretation) is offered by Croisières Lachance and Ornitour cost is $39.50cnd on May 21st from 09:45 till 15:55 on may 22nd from 10:30 till 17:15 and on may 28th from 9:45 till 15:55. Boarding will be at the Berthier-sur-Mer

Economics:

The main source of revenue for that population is based on farming. There are still seven modern well-organised dairy farms. The dairy produce of those farms is sold to the local Co-Operative and they produce three of the most delicious cheese made in Canada. These cheeses will rival any French cheese. Funny enough, that co-op does not produce any consumer milk.
People at Ile-aux-Grues (goose island) import consumer's milk.

the "Riopelle de l'Isle''

The most renown of these cheeses is the "Riopelle de l'Isle''. This cheese is a triple cream that was formulated at Ile-aux-Grues (goose island) .

Jean-Paul Riopelle, a Canadian artist known the world over, agreed to give is name to that cheese. He painted the original image that identifies the product. The only requirements he had to put his name on that cheese where that the "Riopelle de l'Isle'' was of the highest quality, and that part of the revenues be put a side for the education of the young people of Ile-aux-Grues (goose island) . The quality is sure there, this cheese has already won a quality grand prize in a Canadian national competition.

Riopelle spent much of is time at Ile-aux-Grues (goose island) for about 20 years and became friend with the population there. A few years back, he bought the MacPherson Le Moine Domainthat is classified as a historical site since 1979. Jean-Paul Riopelle died at the domain in 2002.

"The Mi-Carême".

The other popular cheese produced by the Société Co-Operative Agricole Île-aux-Grues (Fromagerie) is the Mi-Carême.

Mi-Carême cheese

A double cream cheese that is also excellent. This cheese is named after the festival that people at Ile-aux-Grues put-up every year.

The Mi-Carême is the biggest party on the island. It takes place in the middle of March. People make their own costumes, they work in small groups. Every thing is very secret, because the fun is to try to identify who hides behind a specific mask and costume.

During the mi-carême week, many visitors come to Ile-aux-Grues, (goose island) National television made reports on it. Even National Geographic Magazine made a nice coverage of it.

More photos of Isle-aux-grues,greater snow geese and mi-carême party

"Tomme de Grosse-Ile"

Since July 2004 another cheese product, The
Tomme de Grosse-Ile
is available on the island. It will be available during fall 2004 in specialised stores all over the Province of Québec. The Tomme de Grosse-Ile is a half-soft cheese made from raw milk obtained from brown Switzerland cows milk fed on sandbank hay that gives the cheese it's special taste. The name of the cheese was chosen as a remembrance of the rich historical past of the Grosse-Ile Island

Grosse-Ile was the last resting-place for over 6000 Irish immigrants. Grosse-Ile is a Canadian National historic site and is part of the 21 islands that form the Isle-aux-Grues archipelago

Tourism:

Another good source of revenue for the people of Ile-aux-Grues, is the increasing number of tourists that pay a visit to this exotic island for Greater snow goose hunting in September and October
or for a vacation. June, July and August are particularly busy. Many people cross on the ferry in the morning with their bike, for a ride on the island. They have lunch at "Le Bateau Ivre"That boat was intentionally shored in the 1970 to serve as a restaurant and dance hall

Bateau Ivre
or "l'auberge l'Oie Blanche" and are back in Montmagny in the afternoon. This is not possible every day, because the ferry schedule depends on the tide. You can also cross as a pedestrian on the boat and once at Ile-aux-Grues you can take the tourist train that will take you to the most interesting spots on the island. Check the schedule to this exotic Island the service is free of charge.

Another choice is Croisières Lachance. This organisation will take you to The exotic island of Ile-aux-Grues and the Islands nearby. Since their boat is smaller than the regular ferry, they can offer a regular service at a fixed schedule.

Flying from Montmagny

is another option. For $25.00 to $35.00 one way, depending on the number of passengers in your group, take the 5 minute hop to Isle-aux-Grues.

If you wish to spend a few days or a few weeks at Ile-aux-Grues. 10 Bed and breakfast operators offer their services. These operators become outfitters during greater snow geese hunting season in fall.

Auberge des Dunes

"L'Auberge L'Oie Blanche" and "L'Auberge des Dunes" offer motel rooms. It is possible to rent a cottage or a house for a longer period. Camping grounds are also available.

Wildlife and flora are exceptional:

At Ile-aux-Grues 210 different bird species can be observed, some of them very rare.

That includes the rareYellow Rail and the many thousands of greater snow geese that gather on the sandbanks and in farmer's fields in spring and fall. These seasons are ideal for bird watching.

In spring, usually around the 20th of May, resident put-up an ornithology show. If you go there in summer, the services of naturalist guides are available.

These guides will help you identify the numerous bird species and wild plants that cover this exotic Island.

Ice canoe race:

During January and February, while the women and some of the men are preparing their costumes for the Mi-carême party, other men practice for the canoe race that takes place during the Québec winter carnival.

For years, in winter, the only way to reach the main land from Isle-aux-Grues was by ice canoe. People where used to cross to Montmagny as they needed to get living supplies or for any other purpose. Since the 1950, air service to Isle-aux-Grues has taken over as a more efficient way of transportation. Today, ice canoe has become a sport with the main event being the ice canoe race between Québec and Lévis during the winter carnival. For years since 1954, the best teams where from Isle-aux-Grues. They won on and on, the competition was mostly between them.

Although the Lachance brothers won more races, the best known competitor is the Skipper Gilles Gagné. Gilles participated in 26 Québec winter carnival ice canoe races.He won the first race at his first try in 1972 and another one at is last try in 1998. With is brother Noël, he now coaches younger teams. Gilles and Noël as well as two other brothers Rosaire and Eugène are all experienced Greater snow goose guides.