Anticosti: a Journey to the Heart of a Preserved Island | Itineraries and Highlights

To immerse yourself in the island’s history, head for Baie-Sainte-Claire, where you can discover the remains of the village founded by French chocolatier Henri Menier in 1895. Menier played a key role in the island’s development, introducing white-tailed deer cultivation.

In the time of this visionary entrepreneur, the village had a population of around 1,000, with impressive infrastructures such as an on-site doctor, a castle, and even a railroad. Historic sites to visit include the customs officer’s house, a lime kiln, and ancient cemeteries.

One of the most fascinating sites to visit on Anticosti Island is the Cap-de-la-Vache-qui-Pisse fossil site. Prized for its spectacular coastal scenery, this site is home to fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years. Sedimentary strata bearing witness to the first mass extinction of life on Earth, some 435 to 450 million years ago. You’ll also have the pleasure of unearthing a few fossils to take home as a souvenir of your visit.

And if you like historic sites, head to the wreck of the Calou, close to the Pointe-Ouest lighthouse, for a picnic lunch. The Pointe-Nord lighthouse, built between 1917 and 1918, is also well worth a visit. The surrounding rocky beach is perfect for a leisurely stroll in the sunshine.

For a little shopping, make a stop in the village of Port-Menier, the economic heart of the island and home to the majority of its population. Here you’ll find a number of services, including a general store, grocery store, gas station, bank, restaurant, and accommodation options. At the Insul’Art boutique, I took the time to buy a few local souvenirs, taking with me a little of the wild, unspoilt spirit of this island that seems to escape modern times.

Finally, if you love seafood, you must visit the Manowin oyster farm in l’Anse-aux-Fraises. John Pineault, the passionate owner, explains the process of growing local oysters, as well as telling captivating stories about the island’s history. And the highlight: an oyster tasting accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine, all by the sea.

Groupe Voyages Québec offers an immersive, all-inclusive package to explore the natural beauty of Anticosti. This new tour for small groups of about eight people includes round-trip flights, transfers, four nights at the Anticosti-Lodge, 12 meals and transportation for all activities.

Guided excursions and an inflatable boat trip to observe marine wildlife are also included, ensuring a well-organized, worry-free experience.

If you book a tour with Groupe Voyages Québec, use a travel rewards credit card like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card. This way, you can reimburse a portion of your travel expenses with your Scene+ points.

The Anticosti-Lodge where I stayed, a new Port-Menier accommodation, opened this summer. This modern B&B, located in the island’s only urban woodland, offers comfortable rooms with lovely private bathrooms.

The meals are delicious, and the hosts, who are passionate about diving, will share their captivating stories with you. Plus, you can feed friendly deer right in front of the B&B.

There are many types of accommodation on the island, including B&Bs and chalets. Saving on a charming rental in the heart of nature is easy with the various rewards programs available in Canada.

Take Scotia Bank’s Scene+ program: with Scene+ points in your pocket, you can deduct all or part of the cost of your rental.

For example, 20,000 points = $200 in savings! Once you’ve booked with a Scotia credit card, simply apply an account credit to your account.

There are several credit cards that give points Scene+ to reimburse a travel expense, including the Scotiabank^® Gold American Express^®* card.

Our guide to using Scene+ points for a trip details the various steps involved in using these points wisely.

The largest natural island in the St. Lawrence River is well worth a visit! If you want to road-trip, we recommend booking your vehicle in advance.

To save on your car rental, the Scene+ program is also a good alternative, as your Scene+ points can be used to reduce the cost of your bill.

Finally, if you’re planning to do a lot of driving, we suggest you consult our guide to saving on gas prices in Canada.

If you’re planning your getaway from Montreal or Quebec City, it’s best to travel by plane to the North Shore, to have more time on the island and a chance to discover all its beauty.

You could fly to Sept-Îles with Air Canada. A minimum of 6,000 Aeroplan points is required for a one-way economy flight from Montreal or Quebec City.

When you earn a Welcome Bonus from an Aeroplan credit card, such as the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card, you’ll have the opportunity to fly for free, enjoy excellent travel insurance and check your first bag free of charge, as well as up to eight people on the same reservation.

With our Aeroplan Beginner’s Guide, you’ll understand how to earn points fast.

Then, to reach the island quickly, you’ll need to book another flight, this time with Air Liaison. This flight is available from Sept-Îles and Havre-Saint-Pierre airports.