Green Island

At Île Verte, you’ll hear all about the sea: the blue sea in summer, the turquoise sea in autumn, the icy sea in winter, the sea bathed in moonlight or sunset. Here, you can take a tour of the lighthouse site. Built in 1809, it is the oldest lighthouse on the St. Lawrence River. It features an exhibition and guided tour on maritime heritage, the evolution of sound and light signals, shipwrecks, groundings and the history of the lighthouse.

Cycling is the best way to explore the island from one end to the other. With its 13 kilometers in length, the island is easily accessible to even the most inexperienced cyclist. To access the island’s hidden treasures, you need to explore it on foot. Whether along the paths or along the shore, you’ll be able to contemplate the magnificent scenery of this little corner of paradise. During your hikes, you’ll have the opportunity to observe some magnificent wild flora. The island’s landscapes are marked by a number of wild seaside plants, including the maritime mertensia, the island’s floral emblem, which grows on the northern shores, the sharp-petaled iris, the maritime chickweed, and the magnificent groves of wild roses that charm hikers with their beauty and fragrance.

Fauna

Despite its small size, Île Verte is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, moose, foxes, hares and squirrels. The island’s marine environment is home to a variety of marine mammals, including whales, porpoises, belugas, sea wolves and seals. The wide variety of bird species, over 365 different species, is sure to please birdwatchers of all levels. Many varieties of warbler, ruffed grouse, great gray owl, snowy owl, great blue heron and more.

The island in winter

Once covered in snow, every road on the island becomes a snowmobile trail. Whether for pleasure or necessity. To explore the island and admire the magnificent surrounding scenery, you can go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. You can also go ice fishing for smelt.

Access

The island is linked to the mainland by a ferry service in summer, a helicopter service in fall and spring, and an ice bridge in winter. If you prefer to leave your vehicle on the mainland, an electric shuttle service is available by reservation to take you to the Lighthouse and for your other travels on the island. Please note that there are no gas stations or retail outlets on the island.