Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit Anticosti Island. This wasn't a quick visit like I had done before; this time, it was a true, immersive experience. Traversing 1,000 kilometers of tumultuous roads, I discovered every corner of this wild and rich territory.

I must admit, this mythical territory fascinated me and sparked my imagination. An isolated island, 16 times larger than Montreal Island while being 10,000 times less populated, filled with white-tailed deer bounding everywhere… it's safe to say that this is a unique place that few can boast of having visited! It's also a true paradise for many hunters and fishers, which is often why it's well-known.

But beyond the activities related to outfitting, what is there to see and do on Anticosti?

I can confirm that this gem of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence continuously amazed me from start to finish. Hundreds of kilometers of trails, beaches, and shores, whether in the Port-Menier area, at the Pourvoirie du Lac Geneviève, or in the areas managed by SÉPAQ or Safari Anticosti. Every path leads to unique and grandiose spots where one feels like the only person in the world enjoying it. I saw canyons, waterfalls, caves, and lighthouses. Rivers, each clearer and more pristine than the last, not to mention the countless deer, the 1,400 species of fossils ranging from tiny to immense, and the fascinating shipwrecks.

My Highlights:

• The white cliffs of Baie de la Tour, offering panoramic views of the horizon.
• Vauréal Falls and its trail in the Observation Canyon.
• Port-Menier and its fascinating history.
• The small canyon of Chicotte.
• The Jupiter River.

Anticosti Island is a true jewel of Quebec and the world, and its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site last September attests to this. It is a great pride for all North Shore residents!

By Joannie Francoeur Coté, General Director of Tourisme Côte-Nord