Dunes offer an important protection against contamination of the fresh groundwater table by salt water. They also provide protection for road infrastructures, as well as an important living environment for plants and animals that come here to seek shelter and food.
The dunes protect us from storms and tides, and the vegetation on the dunes plays an important role in this! So let's be vigilant when we walk, use the footbridges and the identified paths and don't forget to park in the indicated places.
Most of the sand on the beaches comes from the erosion of the red sandstone cliffs. In total, the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago has nearly 300 km of beaches! Don't worry, you will always have a place to put your towel and enjoy swimming or walking a few miles.
Always park in the designated areas to access it and use the boardwalks and trails. Check out this interactive map for access to the beaches.
Many species of birds are present on the beaches and can nest there. It is forbidden to drive on the beaches with your vehicle except for few places.
Enjoy the beauty of the landscape in complete safety. The cliffs are sometimes made of very friable sandstone, so be careful when you walk! Many species of birds nest in the cliffs, a boat excursion is a unique opportunity to observe them, be careful and enjoy!
Avoid walking on the edge of cliffs, as erosion is not always visible and an accident can happen quickly. Keep at least 3 meters from the edge, especially when you see this sign.
