Îles-de-la-Madeleine Travel guide >> Île du Havre aux Maisons >> Havre-aux-Maisons
Havre-aux-Maisons
Havre-aux-Maisons
On this island, the sand dune covers a large area since there is the Dune du Sud on one side and the Dune du Nord on the other. Visit the Centre d’interprétation du Havre-aux-Maisons to get a general idea of the history of the inhabitants. Just behind that interpretation center, you will see the “Île aux Cochons” (its real name is Île Paquet). This island is the ideal place to observe a large number of birds like terns, seagulls and herons.
To see some beautiful traditional architectural houses, take the panoramic road of the chemin de la Pointe-Basse by bike or by car. On the chemin de la Pointe-Basse, stop at the fromagerie Pied-de-Vent (cheese factory) to taste and buy the good cheese from the Islands. A little farther on this road, visit the Fumoir d’Antan—Économusée du poisson fume, which will make you relive the smoking of herring, an activity that was once very important for the Islands’ economy. Then, take the chemin des Échouerie and stop at the Cap Alright lighthouse. The organization “Attention FragÎles” (warning, fragIsle) also organises visits to the peat bog, which goes from Détroit Bridge to the airport. Finally, the Dune-du-Sud rest area gives access to a nice beach where the sea is calm and warm.
