The Magdalen Islands are more than just golden sand beaches, wind-sculpted cliffs and breathtaking sunsets. It's also a close-knit, creative and forward-looking community. Many local entrepreneurs are dedicated to preserving and transmitting Magdalen culture through their products and services.
Staying at Navigateur Millerand means not only soaking up island charm, but also access to a host of local discoveries. Here are five businesses we love to recommend to our visitors.
1. Boulangerie Madelon: daily gourmet craftsmanship
📍355 Chem. Petitpas, Cap-aux-Meules, QC G4T 1E3, Canada
It's impossible to miss this local institution! Boulangerie Madelon offers sourdough breads, crisp viennoiseries and homemade pastries made with local ingredients. This café-bakery is also a meeting place for locals, where coffee flows freely.
What we like :
- Their sourdough bread is the perfect accompaniment to local produce.
- A friendly atmosphere, where people take the time to savour and discuss over a coffee.
2. La Fromagerie du Pied-De-Vent: a unique taste rooted in the land
📍 149 Chem. de la Pointe Basse, Havre-aux-Maisons, QC G4T 5H7, Canada
This artisan cheese factory produces exceptional cheeses from the raw milk of Canadian cows, a hardy breed perfectly adapted to the climate of the Magdalen Islands. The famous Pied-De-Vent, with its semi-firm paste and crinkled beige-orange rindhas become a symbol of Magdalen know-how.
Don't miss :
- La Tomme des Demoiselles : with a full-bodied, fruity and slightly salty taste.
- Guided tours of the dairy farm to learn how cheese is made.
3. Côte à Côte - Specialized butchery: quality from producer to plate
📍 295 Chem. Principal, Cap-aux-Meules, QC G4T 1E1, Canada
This butcher's shop stands out for its choice of local meats, its homemade charcuterie and its responsible approach to food. The owners focus on traceability, quality and respect for animals. Whether for a fondue, a BBQ or a picnic, you'll find carefully prepared products.
To discover :
- Sea bass sausages with cranberries
- Ready-to-eat meals and side dishes to discover local gastronomy.
4. Plein Vent les Îles - Kitesurfing school: surfing with the wind
📍 Rte 199, Communauté maritime des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC G4T 9B3, Canada
Looking for an unforgettable activity? Plein Vent offers kitesurfing and E-foil courses for all levels, supervised by passionate instructors. The Magdalen Islands offer ideal conditions for this water sport, with constant winds and safe lagoons.
Why it's unique :
- Learning takes place in breathtaking locations, often accessible only by water.
- Kitesurfing offers a direct connection with nature and the elements.
- Kitesurfing and E-foil equipment available for hire
5. Vrac des Îles - Magasin écogénéral & West qu'on mange : l'alimentation autrement
📍 397-A Chem. Principal, Cap-aux-Meules, QC G4T 1E3, Canada
Vrac des Îles, in collaboration with West qu'on mange, offers a zero-waste bulk grocery store featuring organic, local and eco-responsible products. You'll also find vegetarian and vegan meals, household products and eco-friendly cosmetics. Everything you need for sustainable living!
Please note :
- The deposit system and reusable containers.
- Short-circuit sourcing to support producers on the Magdalen Islands.
Why does Navigator Millerand recommend these companies?
At Navigateur Millerand, we firmly believe that travel should be an enriching, respectful and immersive experience. The companies we recommend here share our core values:
- Environmental protection By focusing on sustainable practices, packaging-free products and locally-grown produce, these companies are actively involved in preserving the Magdalen Islands.
- Sharing local culture Whether it's a cheese matured on site, a traditional recipe or a nautical activity rooted in the territory, they help everyone better understand and experience the Magdalen Islands.
- Promoting know-how Every product and service on offer is the fruit of meticulous, hand-crafted, often intergenerational, work that deserves to be celebrated.
- Passing on the heritage All these initiatives help to keep traditions alive, while adapting them to contemporary challenges.
By staying at Le Navigateur Millerand, you'll find yourself at the heart of this local dynamic. You, too, will become a part of a conscious tourism that supports the artisans, producers and enthusiasts who shape the unique identity of the Magdalen Islands.
