On a leisurely excursion to Île d’Orléans, take in the splendour of the island’s scenery and fill your picnic basket with delicacies. The island is a gold mine of French heritage in North America, with ancestral mansions dating back to the 17th century.
The island is a never-ending source of inspiration for regional artists of all stripes who use a variety of platforms to disseminate their works, while regional producers use a wealth of terroir-based products. From mid-June to mid-October, the village shops and roadside booths are at their busiest, and the scenery changes with the seasons.
Make a anticlockwise round along Chemin Royal to get the most out of your trip. Almost all of the six picturesque villages you’ll pass through along the way are among the nicest in the province of Québec. The most crucial thing is to leave room for spontaneity, so here are a few suggested locations. Observe something that piques your interest? Check it out now!
1. Sainte-Wineries Pétronille’s
Start your island trip with a brief break where you can take in the scenery of Montmorency Falls and sample the wines from two world-class vineyards.
In the summer, grab a wood-fired pizza from the Neapolitan pizza bar at Vignoble Sainte-Pétronille to go with your wine tasting, or go with one of the trademark platters made by famous chef Laurent Godbout at Saint-Pierre Le Vignoble.
2. Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans
Everything at Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans is commendable, beginning with the ice cream and chocolate. From there, you can wander down Rue Horatio-Walker to get a great perspective of Québec City and to take in the island’s luxurious residences.
3. Strawberries to Pick Your Own on the Île d’Orléans
From late June to mid-July, visit the island’s sole organic strawberry farm to harvest your own strawberries. For strawberries and other berries (such as raspberries, blueberries, and black currants), many farms offer a pick-your-own option. They also sell their seasonal crops at roadside stalls.
4. Parc maritime de Saint-Laurent
In the 1830s, there were about twenty rowboat makers and a few family shipyards in the parish of Saint-Laurent. The maritime park features an actual 19th-century chalouperie where rowboats were constructed, transporting visitors back in time to the heyday of wooden boat construction.
5. Confiturerie Tigidou
The jams from Confiturerie Tigidou are a flavour sensation since they are made only with berries that are cultivated on Île d’Orléans. The interior, which is decorated in a 1920s style, is also quite Instagrammable.
6. Manoir Mauvide-Genest
One of the last remaining seigneurial homes in Québec, this stunning country manor was constructed in 1734 during the New France era. Learn about Jean Mauvide and Marie-Anne Genest and their lavish mansion, which is filled with relics from the 18th century, by taking the guided tour.
7. Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans
This lovely village is a must-see because of its red-roofed church and rows of neoclassical houses from the middle of the 19th century. While strolling along the beach, stop by to sample some of Du Capitaine’s handcrafted vinegars and goods.
8. La Seigneurie de l’Île d’Orléans
One of the island’s best-kept secrets is the Seigneurie de l’Île‘s five gardens and vast fields of lavender. From June through October, both the grounds and the store, where you can buy a wide range of goods manufactured with lavender essential oil, are open to tourists.
9. Saint-François-de-l’Île-d’Orléans
The entire eastern portion of the island is covered by Saint-François. The St. Lawrence River Estuary, Cap Tourmente, and the archipelago islands may all be seen from the top of the observation tower at the municipal rest area. Fun fact: Because the estuary is where the fresh and salt waters of the St. Lawrence meet, it is home to a wide variety of fish.
Without sampling the goat’s milk ice cream from Fromages Ferme Audet and the potato-based goods—including the delectable donuts—from Saveurs de l’Isle d’Orleans, a visit to Saint-François would not be complete.
10. Les Fromages de l’isle d’Orléans
Fromages de l’isle d’Orléans offers a taste of the very first cheese produced in America in the 17th century. The proprietors of the establishment serve their delicious fromages while dressed in mediaeval attire. Numerous additional regional treats include a faisselle-style unripened cheese, the Paillasson de l’Isle roasting cheese, and others.
11. Maison Drouin
The only genuine historic property that is open to the public is La Maison Drouin, one of the earliest houses constructed on the Île d’Orléans in the 17th century. It has been transformed into an interpretation centre where you can find out everything about the rich legacy and history of Île d’Orléans.
A short distance away, Maison de nos Aeux has genealogical files on the 300 French founding families that arrived on Île d’Orléans before dispersing all throughout America. Both sites are situated in the island’s oldest parish, which has a beautiful view of the Côte-de-Beaupré and Mont Sainte-Anne.
12. Microbrasserie de l’Île d’Orléans – Pub Le Mitan
The only microbrewery on the island has a lovely patio where you can relax. Try some of their superb artisan brews that are named after notable islanders.
13. Sugar Shack Relais des Pins
A sugar shack experience is best had on the island of Orleans. While some sugar shacks take group reservations all year round, the majority only serve food in the spring. At Relais des Pins, you can purchase maple syrup-based sweets all year long. In the summer, maple taffy is even served on snow!
14. Pick Your Own Apples
The island’s apples are ready for picking in September and October, following the summer’s bounty of berries. With concerts, inflatables, and tractor rides, many orchards are transformed into family fun areas. The Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau offers apple items galore, including Madame Bilodeau’s famous apple pies, as well as cider sampling.
15. Vignoble Isle de Bacchus
When Jacques Cartier arrived on the island in 1535, he named it the “Isle of Bacchus” because of the profusion of wild grapes that were growing there. Isle de Bacchus, which paved the way for the province’s vineyards, exemplifies that same pioneering attitude even today, centuries later. The main structure is a mansion that was remodelled in the 18th century and has a wonderful wine cellar and café. For a flavour of the terroir, pull up a chair on the terrace.
16. Cassis Monna & Filles
Visit this well-known producer of black currants and explore their tiny museum. There are several black currant goods to try, such as their ice cream, which is only available in the summer, and their award-winning black currant liqueur.
17. Espace Félix-Leclerc
This Félix Leclerc interpretation centre also serves as a performance space for French and Quebecois singer-songwriters. Spend some quiet time strolling along the road that is dotted with poems written by the man who loved his island, Leclerc.
Guided Tours of Île d’Orléans
There are several choices if you would want to accompany a knowledgeable tour guide around the island.
- Using a bus: From Old Québec, take a Québec Bus Tour to explore the Île d’Orléans.
- With Quatre Natures, explore Île d’Orléans from the St. Lawrence River on a sea kayak. A shuttle departs from the city’s centre.
- In a zodiac: Croisières Orléans offers trips in a zodiac if you’re itching for some adventure on the wide river but aren’t too keen on paddling. It’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy the coves, tides, and currents of the St. Lawrence River. Excursions Maritimes Québec offers excursions to the island that depart from Québec.
- Using a bike or a scooter to explore the island will give you more freedom. You have a choice between a self-directed tour and a guided tour with Québec Aventure Tours.
