Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles

The Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Mille Îles River and its tributaries for the benefit of the community, constitutes the largest protected wildlife area in the entire greater Montreal metropolitan region—a remarkable distinction considering the immediate proximity of this territory to one of Quebec's most densely populated urban centers. The park's distinctive landscape, frequently compared by visitors to Louisiana bayous due to its swamp forest and the sinuous configuration of the river and its tributaries, encompasses an official wildlife refuge comprising ten islands totaling 26 hectares, home to an exceptional biodiversity of birds, turtles, and other animal species for whom this labyrinth of marshes and verdure represents a premier protected habitat. The Exploration Centre, a building targeting LEED-Gold certification and constructed with exemplary ecological care, houses both a museum featuring the permanent exhibition Incredible, but True! showcasing the river's biodiversity and a café, serving as the departure point for exploring the archipelago by boat—canoe, kayak, pedalo, paddleboard, rabaska, or motor boat—as well as guided cruises aboard the Bleu Héron vessel. The park's boat rental center, among the most substantial in Quebec according to the managing organization, allows for personalized discovery of this exceptional natural environment, enjoyed year-round from summer paddling to winter ice fishing adventures.