Island Treasures of the Bas-Saint-Laurent

Writing

Laura Martin, she shares her crushes and discoveries with us for our greatest happiness!

Article published on May 15, 2026

The islands of the Bas-Saint-Laurent are known for their picturesque landscapes and their atmosphere that invites relaxation and outdoor activities. True pearls set upon the river, they seem to float outside of time. Yet they hold a rich and genuinely fascinating past. Beyond their hiking trails and sweeping views, these islands have many stories to tell. Follow our clues and set off on a historical treasure hunt in the great outdoors.

L’île aux Basques

Located off the coast of Trois-Pistoles and recognized as a National Historic Site, this island owes its name to Basque fishermen who, as early as the 16th century, came to hunt seals, porpoises, and whales in the St. Lawrence estuary, while also trading with Indigenous peoples. Between 1580 and 1630, they built several furnaces on the island to melt marine mammal fat, which was used as fuel for oil lamps.

Licence d'utilisation de Mathieu Dupuis requise pour tout type d'usage.

Archaeological excavations conducted in the 1990s made it possible to locate a foundry and uncover a furnace as well as terracotta pottery. Three furnaces are now showcased for visitors. In summer, guided tours supported by interpretive panels and artifacts allow visitors to dive into this lesser-known chapter of regional history.

L’île Saint-Barnabé

Long and narrow, this island has sparked curiosity for centuries. As early as the beginning of New France, Jacques Cartier took note of it. In 1603, Samuel de Champlain gave it its name. Thanks to its strategic position at the entrance to the estuary, it hosted an essential observation post for navigation starting in the 18th century.

Over time, its shores were the scene of numerous shipwrecks, now well documented, as well as smuggling activities during the Prohibition era. Located opposite downtown Rimouski, L’Île Saint-Barnabé is also associated with Toussaint Cartier, a hermit who lived there for several years. An exhibition makes it possible to discover this fascinating figure.

The Îles Pot-à-l’Eau-de-Vie Archipelago

Off the coast of Rivière-du-Loup, the Îles Pot-à-l’Eau-de-Vie archipelago long served as a strategic location for navigators on the St. Lawrence. As early as the first half of the 19th century, pilots found an anchorage point there. However, this stretch of the river, dotted with reefs and shoals, saw many ships sink. To improve navigation safety, the Canadian government built a lighthouse there in 1860.

Îles du Pot-à-l'Eau-de-VieMathieu Dupuis

For more than a century, it played a central role in the maritime life of the estuary. Today, this iconic lighthouse, the only one of its kind preserved in Québec, bears witness to this rich past. Thanks to the conservation and interpretation work of the Société Duvetnor, now its owner, it can be visited and even stayed in for a unique immersion in the history of the river.

Visite guidée de l'île aux Basques

Île aux Basques,
Trois-Pistoles,
Québec G0L 4K0

T. 4185548636

Website

See the card

Camping de l'île Saint-Barnabé

marina de Rimouski,
Rimouski,
Québec G5L 7C3

T. 418 723-2280

Website

See the card

Excursion Île Saint-Barnabé

marina de Rimouski,
Rimouski,
Québec G5L 7C3