Planning your stay in the Maggies

We first arrived in the Maggies in 2016, having left on a whim to enjoy a beautiful long weekend in June. We needed a rest, but what we found on this archipelago was a new home that would change the next few years of our lives.

Like so many others, we immediately fell in love with this little piece of paradise in the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence River. In 2018, after many more visits, we purchased the Blanche de l'Ouest and began renovating it. Soon after, we also acquired Les Rochers and began working on the Petit hôtel de la Montagne.

We are passionate about design, travel and architecture, so we are committed to creating memorable spaces and travel experiences. It's what we love and we want to share it with you!

Visit us in the Maggies! We cannot wait to welcome you.

— Your hosts, Vincent et Jan-Nicolas

Getting to the Maggies

By road and ferry

The ultimate road trip experience! To get to the Maggies from Montreal, the drive is about 12 hours and the ferry ride is 5 hours. We recommend splitting the journey in two with a quaint roadside motel stay in between.

In high season, there is a daily ferry connection between Cap-aux-Meules and Souris operated by CTMA. If you have a hard time finding a crossing reservation in high season, know that there are usually night crossings added to the regular schedule to accommodate the busiest weeks of the season. In 2022, 20 additional summer crossings were added to the schedule (French only).

You can also travel without a reservation, as they do not overbook the ferry. There are usually a few vehicles that get on the boat at each crossing with no reservation, using the stand-by line.

The Cap-aux-Meules port is a 30 minutes drive from the house.

By plane

During the high season, Air Canada, PAL Airlines and Pascan fly to the Islands daily, often on non-stop routes from Montreal and Quebec City. PAL Airlines and Pascan fly to the Islands daily year-round, often with flights that have one or two short layovers.

Important: Pascan flies from Montreal Trudeau (YUL) as well as from Saint-Hubert (YHU). Don't forget to include both departure airports in your search when looking for flights.

Check-in and check-out

The house will be ready for your arrival at 4:30PM and we ask that you leave by 10:30AM on your last day. This allows enough time for the cleaning team to prepare the house and have it ready and spotless for the following guests. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate early check-ins or late check-outs in the summer months. That being said, we can offer a safe room for your luggage should you want to unload your car and head to the beach!

Getting around the islands

Most first-time visitors are surprised at how spread out the islands are. We recommend exploring the island by car, but other transportation modes are gaining popularity each year.

Car

There are three car rental agencies available: Location 199, Leblanc and Agence de location des Îles. Please note that starting in 2022, Jean-François Leblanc/Archipel merged with Agence de location des Îles, who now offer used vehicles for rent. You can also choose to use the Turo app, or rent directly from someone.

Bike

If the wind does not scare you, the archipelago is a great destination for cyclists! You can bring your own bike (we have some basic bike tools at your disposal) or rent a bike at Pédalier. Electric bikes are also gaining popularity and can be a great help when riding in the opposite wind direction! Éco-vélo offers some for rent.

Scooter and motobike

Agence de location des Îles also offers scooters and motorcycles for rent. While a scooter holiday sounds like an idyllic idea, be aware that sometimes a 50cc engine does not go very fast when facing the wind!

Taxi

There are a few taxis but no Ubers on the archipelago. Be aware that the house is in a remote location so there usually is a long wait time and the fees do run high due to long distances. While it's a good backup plan, we do not recommend relying on taxis as a mean of transport during your stay.

Good to know before you arrive

• Except for the beach, not a lot is within walking distance from the house. We recommend a motorized vehicle for your transport.

• If you arrive at night, we recommend stopping by Jalco, our neighbourhood grocery store, to get a few food and beverage basics. There are IGA grocery stores in Cap-aux-Meules and Havre-aux-Maisons.

• The house is equipped with an electronic lock. You will receive the code to unlock the door 24 hours prior to your arrival, and the code will be valid for your entire stay.

• The house is located in a remote and calm area of the island, and we ask that our guests respect the neighbours by limiting noise past 10pm. Parties are prohibited on the property, as well as fireworks, camp fires and drones. The beach is a more suited place for those activities.

• In high season, we recommend booking your excursions and restaurant tables in advance. Prior to your arrival, we will send you a few of our recommendations.

When to visit

Of course, the warm summer months are a formidable period to discover the archipelgo and its many beaches. However, we do love the more quiet months of the year when it's easier to get a sense of the local life, and discover the destination at a slower pace.

May and June are the two busiest months in terms of commercial fishing, but not necessarily for tourism! It is the post-winter awakening when fishing boats are out at sea and fresh seafood is widely available and makes for memorable meals.

From early September to mid-October, the weather is still very nice and warm on the Maggies. Most restaurants and shops are still open and less crowded than in the peak season, and rental prices are more affordable. A well kept secret!

Let's not forget the unique Madelinot winter, a once in a lifetime experience!