Musée de la Mer

Îles de la Madeleine


This thoughtful little museum covers Madelinot history, from Jacques Cartier's impressions of walruses to photographic exhibitions on the modern-day seal hunt. Look out for the skeleton of the sperm whale that beached on Plage du Nord in 2008.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Îles de la Madeleine attractions

1. Sandy Hook

1.1 MILES

This huge, 12km stretch of windswept sand, accessible via Chemin du Sable, pretty much feels like the edge of the world. Be careful if you swim here, as…

2. Le Site d'Autrefois

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Places such as the Îles de la Madeleine tend to attract eccentric folks, and they don't get much more interesting than flamboyant fisher Claude F…

3. St-Pierre-de-la-Vernière

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Built in 1876, this handsome white church has a checkered history – it's been struck by lightning several times. Locals like to point out that most of the…

4. Le Fumoir d'Antan

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

5. Butte Ronde

11.1 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.

6. Ècomusée de la Mi-Carême

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

7. Seal Interpretation Center

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

8. Veterans Museum & Memorial Park

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