Visit the Musée de la Mer
Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Magdalen Islands with a visit to the Musée de la Mer. This captivating museum will take you through the region’s rich maritime past, with interactive exhibits, marine artifacts and stories of famous shipwrecks. It’s a perfect activity for history buffs and families alike, offering an educational opportunity while remaining sheltered from the elements.
The shopping center, meeting the locals
For a taste of local life, head for the Place des Îles shopping center. What’s special about this mall, unlike those found on the mainland, is that many of the businesses it houses are local, rather than multinational chains. So it’s a great place to do some shopping and support Magdalen merchants while staying out of the rain.
Shopping
The Magdalen Islands offer a multitude of charming boutiques where you can find local products, crafts, clothing and much more. Discover our favorite boutiques in the Coups des Coeur list.
À l'abri de la Tempête tasting
What better way to brighten up a rainy day than with a good craft beer? The À l’abri de la Tempête microbrewery is the ideal place to sample unique local beers, made with ingredients from the archipelago. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of the brewery while learning about the beer-making process. You can even take a few bottles home as a souvenir!
Rainy days can be a highlight of your Islands vacation. Take advantage of these moments to discover another facet of the archipelago and leave with a head full of memorable memories, rain or shine!
Explore the Bassin Arts Circuit
The borough of Bassin, on the island of Havre Aubert, is full of artists’ studios to discover. Starting at Maison Papier, an art boutique/gallery offering paper reproductions of works by Magdalen artists, you can move on to ceramist Patrick Leblond‘s studio, or Julien Livernois’ La mémoire et la Mer gallery. This tour is an excellent way to meet the artists, understand their inspirations and leave with a unique souvenir of the Magdalen Islands.
Relaxing coffee
There are a growing number of cafés on the islands, so take your pick and order a hot drink! On Île du Havre Aubert, you can visit Raméa, Maison Papier (the boutique of the Petit hôtel de la Montagne), La Gabarre or Café de la Grave, while on the central island you can explore Café des Lupins, Theresa or L’Îlot!
