Pointe-de-l'Est National Wildlife Area

The Pointe-de-l'Est National Wildlife Reserve, accessible via Route 199 to the northeastern tip of the archipelago, protects a dune ecosystem unique to Quebec, whose exceptional ecological richness makes it a major migratory stopover for numerous bird species, some particularly rare or threatened such as the piping plover, the horned grebe, and the Atlantic puffin, whose observation attracts passionate birdwatchers from outside the archipelago each year. The reserve's network of eight kilometres of interpretive trails, including the popular Échouerie Trail, offers a respectful discovery of this fragile environment, where carefully designed signage invites visitors to remain mindful of nesting periods so as not to disturb the bird colonies that depend directly on this dune habitat for reproduction. Adjacent to the reserve, Grande Échouerie Beach, near the historic hamlet of Old Harry, stands as one of the archipelago's most spectacular shores, its ribbon of fine sand seemingly stretching endlessly along the northeastern coastline, creating a sense of vastness and isolation particularly cherished by visitors seeking tranquility. The Grosse-Île sector, whose history is intimately tied to the settlement of Scottish shipwreck survivors in the 19th century—an English-speaking community of approximately 500 people still residing there today—completes this northeastern circuit of the archipelago with a distinct cultural dimension, notably illustrated by the little red schoolhouse that continues to bear witness to this unique linguistic heritage within the Magdalen Islands.