Plage de la Grande Échouerie

Îles de la Madeleine


Between Pointe de la Grosse Île and Old Harry, the wetlands of the 684-hectare East Point National Wildlife Reserve have the archipelago's most impressive beach, Plage de la Grande Échouerie. The 10km sweep of pale sand extends northeast from Pointe Old Harry; there are car parks there and en route to Old Harry from East Cape.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Îles de la Madeleine attractions

1. Little Red Schoolhouse

3.63 MILES

This is the main museum for CAMI (Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders). It's a repository of historical artifacts and antiques, curated and…

2. Church of the Holy Trinity

3.63 MILES

Built in 1925, this Anglican church includes a stained-glass window that depicts Jesus clad in a woolen jumper and boots and saying, 'Come with me and I…

3. Veterans Museum & Memorial Park

3.65 MILES

Honoring island citizens who lost their lives in WWII, this museum displays relics including 19th-century sailors' tombstones from Île Brion, 16km north –…

4. Seal Interpretation Center

5.68 MILES

This museum delves into the biology and behavior of seals and explores their cultural significance to the islands, giving particular attention to the…

5. Centre d'Interprétation Mines Seleine

6.09 MILES

At the end of a windswept sandbank, the island's industrial salt mine – one of the earliest economic engines of settlement – excavates at a depth of 300m…

6. Butte Ronde

22.05 MILES

A short climb from the car park on Chemin des Échoueries near Cap Alright, the cross-topped Butte Ronde has wonderful views of the lumpy coastline.

7. Le Fumoir d'Antan

22.69 MILES

Three generations of the Arseneau family have smoked herring at this traditional smokehouse, where you can learn about the process and taste the goods…

8. Ècomusée de la Mi-Carême

26.3 MILES

The Catholic tradition of Carnival – a period of masking and celebration before the austere fasting of Lent – has many incarnations around the world, such…