Île aux Coudres Travel Guide

  The mountains of Charlevoix, as seen...
by Jefie
 
  • The mountains of Charlevoix, as seen from l'Ile
      The mountains of Charlevoix, as seen...
    by Jefie
  •   Île aux Coudres
    by Simonneeddy
  • Ferry Boat
      Ferry Boat
    by Simonneeddy
  • Bikes in all shapes and sizes at Velo-Coudres!
      Bikes in all shapes and sizes at...
    by Jefie
  • La maison croche, on l'Ile-aux-Coudres
      La maison croche, on l'Ile-aux-Coudres
    by Jefie
 

Pro

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  The perfect weekend getaway destination! 


Con

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  Construction on road when we did the tour 


In a nutshell

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  An experience.. 

 

Explore Île aux Coudres

Things to Do  

The religious heritage of l'Ile-aux-Coudres

The religious heritage of l'Ile-aux-Coudres, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  The very first mass in Canada was celebrated on l'Ile-aux-Coudres on September 7, 1535, when French explorer Jacques Cartier planted a cross on the island to take possession of the land in the name of the King of France. Saint-Louis, the first parish of the island, was... 

The island's mills (Les Moulins)

The island's mills (Les Moulins), Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  The first residents of the island often had to cross the river to the main shore to get food items that were not available on l'Ile-aux-Coudres. They often had to face harsh conditions, and crossing the river in a canoe often proved to be a very dangerous adventure. In 1815,... 

Discover the history of l'Ile-aux-Coudres

Discover the history of l'Ile-aux-Coudres, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  To make biking around the island even more interesting, the residents of l'Ile-aux-Coudres have come up with a heritage circuit. The circuit is included in the free tour guide that is available everywhere on the island (you can also print a map off the Website). It includes... 

Bike around the island!

Bike around the island!, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  The most popular thing to do on l'Ile-aux-Coudres is to bike along the 23 km road (called Chemin des Coudriers) that goes around the island. It is by far the best way to see and appreciate the beautiful landscape that surrounds the island, nestled between the majestic St.... 

Hotels  

Hotel/Motel Cap-aux-Pierres: Cyclists and families are welcome!

Hotel/Motel Cap-aux-Pierres: Cyclists and families are welcome!, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  Hotel/Motel Cap-aux-Pierres is part of the Groupe Dufour, a small local chain of hotels and resorts. It started out as a B&B, and as its popularity grew, the hotel section was expanded and two motel sections were added on each side. The view is quite spectacular, as it is... 

La Roche Pleureuse: A great view ( the crying rock)

La Roche Pleureuse: A great view ( the crying rock), Île aux Coudres

 Simonneeddy Says:  We stayed 1 night but had a wonderful Dinner with the stay and walked "The Lover's Lane" in the dark and read all the lighted signs along the path with Quotes or Poems by famous people who had stayed here over the years. Hotel is located on a high cliff.Excellent view of... 

Restaurants  

Hotel Cap-aux-Pierres: For a nice Sunday brunch

Hotel Cap-aux-Pierres: For a nice Sunday brunch, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  If you're not staying at a B&B and are looking for a place to go for breakfast, the restaurant at Hotel Cap-aux-Pierres has a really good brunch. With a nice selection of fresh fruits, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, hashbrowns, pancakes, French toasts, pastries and more,... 

La Roche Pleureuse: Gotta love the atmosphere!

La Roche Pleureuse: Gotta love the atmosphere!, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  One thing you should know when travelling to l'Ile-aux-Coudres is that there are not that many restaurants and considering the island's popularity, reservations are strongly recommended. Thanks to VTer Simonneeddy's tip, we had made a reservation at La Roche Pleureuse for... 

La Roche Pleureuse: HOTEL CHAMPETRE

La Roche Pleureuse: HOTEL CHAMPETRE, Île aux Coudres

 Simonneeddy Says:  3 STAR dining, Waitresses in period costume, smoked salmon entré, wine, and an excellent meal with great desert and coffee. Seafood 

Transportation  

Free ferry to l'Ile-aux-Coudres

Free ferry to l'Ile-aux-Coudres, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  To get to l'Ile-aux-Coudres, you first need to drive to the village of Les Eboulements, where you'll see a sign for the Ile-aux-Coudres ferry. After driving down the very steep hill, you'll reach the village of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. Drive through the village and take a... 

I want to ride my bicycle!!

I want to ride my bicycle!!, Île aux Coudres

 Deus_ultima Says:  Don't go around driving like a ,uppet on a rally race!! RENT A BIKE!!!They are very cheap and..thought they are not the best, they get you around.:)To get one, getoff the ferry, turn left and keep going straight..the rental shop is a house to your left.(34, rue du port) 

Aye! Aye! matey!

Aye! Aye! matey!, Île aux Coudres

 Deus_ultima Says:  The only way on the island is by boat, so..hop on the free ferry!!:) 

Shopping  

La Boulangerie Bouchard: Don't leave the island without freshly baked bread

La Boulangerie Bouchard: Don't leave the island without freshly baked bread, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  On any given day, you'll find people lining up by the cash register of La Boulangerie Bouchard and after you've had a taste their homemade bread, you'll understand why - who would eat any other sort of bread if they had the chance to eat this bread instead?! The bakery,... 

Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault: Bring home a little taste of the island

Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault: Bring home a little taste of the island, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  Back in 1918, the Pedneault family planted their first 300 fruit trees on l'Ile-aux-Coudres. Since then, the family business has expanded, and the Cidrerie Vergers Pedneault now offers a wide selection of products, including vinegars, ciders, liquors (mistelles), honey,... 

Off The Beaten Path  

La Maison Croche (The Crooked House)

La Maison Croche (The Crooked House), Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  As we were biking around the island, we came upon this crooked house aptly called "La Maison Croche". All the windows are tilted one way or the other, and apparently the house was built by a dying man who loved bending the rules and moving away from tradition. The house is... 

The lighthouse!

The lighthouse!, Île aux Coudres

 Deus_ultima Says:  This is a must see...that is a bit off the main road.Take the time to go and see the lighthouse. Thought this is as close you can get to it (with a 400mm zoom), the bay it sits in is beautifull.(and you can drive up the parking of the abandonned house to get closer..and... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Velo-Coudres: No bike? No problem!

Velo-Coudres: No bike? No problem!, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  If you happen to be travelling to l'Ile-aux-Coudres without a bike, you can rent one at Velo-Coudres. Whether you are looking for a mountain bike or a road bike, a twin (tandem) bicycle or a four-wheeled bicycle (including models that can fit up to 6 adults and 2 children),... 

Favorites  

So much beauty all around!

So much beauty all around!, Île aux Coudres

 Jefie Says:  As I was biking around the island, I saw so many beautiful landscapes, it was impossible to stop everytime to take a picture (or I could have, but it would have taken forever to complete the tour!). I took an incredible number of mental pictures of the place, and of course I... 

The Place

Plan a Île aux Coudres vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Île aux Coudres locals

Experience Île aux Coudres
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The People

 
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 The only way on the island is by boat, so..hop on the free ferry!!:) 

 

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Top 3 Île aux Coudres Writers

1

Hop on your bike and discover l'Ile-aux-Coudres!

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 L'Ile-aux-Coudres is a tiny island (30 km2) located off the shore of the beautiful Charlevoix region. It was first discovered by French explorer Jacques Cartier back in 1535 during his second trip to... 

2

Tour de Lisle aux Coudres

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 One must take the "FREE" ferry ride to get there 

3

The beautifull island!

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 "Comming to get a bit of fresh air?" said the old man on the porch as we passed him on our rented bikes. Even if we are led to believe that "progress" and homogenisation (or americanisation?) has... 

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